Visit from Grandpa & Grandma Overway

Grandpa and Grandma Overway came to visit us in mid-July. On Thursday, we drove through a down-pour to meet them at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha. We weren't sure that it was ideal zoo weather, but the storm passed just as we were arriving and we enjoyed a beautiful day together exploring the zoo.

One of the kids gave Ben their "zoo cup" after lunch. Judging from the smile, I'd say that was a good move!

The big cat house is our favorite; we are especially fascinated by the tigers. This picture was taken in between roars. She didn't like it when we made eye-contact.

It's been a long day, the kids are getting tired, so I decide it's time to take pictures! Yea, Mom!

Grandpa caught the first and only fish of the day (a bass) on his first cast!

While Grandpa, Dad and Joseph were fishing, we took Elena and Benjamin to the play area.

Priceless.

Playing "golf" with Grandma.

Trip to Michigan/Illinois

On July 1 we left for Michigan to attend Grandpa Haveman's funeral. We spent most of the week with our Michigan family, but we were able to spend a little time in Illinois too.

On the 4th of July we went to a parade in Grandville. The kids thorougly enjoyed the candy, the planes that started the parade, the candy, watching the bands, the candy... But they really loved spending time with their cousins.

Driving home from church. Grandma got to sit between Joe & Lena... There sure was a lot of giggling coming from the back seat!

Elena, Hanna and Samantha had so much fun playing with dolls together on Monday morning. Even though they seldom get a chance to see each other, they got along great!

This photo is now out-of-date, but at the time it was taken, this was a picture of all of the Vermeer grandkids.

The first picture was taken on the way to Michigan, the second on the way home. I've included them because they clearly show the change in energy level from the beginning to the end of the trip.

Summer Time Fun - Fishing, Swimming, and Playing in the Sand

These are photos of the kids at a local campground.

Minneapolis / St. Paul

We took a mini-vacation to Minneapolis/St. Paul in mid-June. After arriving at our hotel Tuesday evening we took the hotel shuttle bus to the Mall of America. Wednesday morning we headed out to Como Zoo, a free zoo in St. Paul. The kids decided that the rides in the mall looked better than the ones at the amusement park adjacent to the zoo. So, indulgent parents that we are, we headed back to the hotel to catch another shuttle. (It had nothing to do with the fact that we had not even begun to exhaust the possibilities at the mall the evening before!) Anyways, Joseph and Elena thoroughly enjoyed the rides. Joseph insisted on riding the biggest rollercoaster in the place. (We may have unleashed a monster, because a month later, he heard about a much bigger amusement park near Minneapolis that he really, really wants to go to.) Elena was content with much tamer rides and liked to have her brother go with her. Thursday we again drove into St. Paul to spend the day at the Minnesota Science Museum. The dinosaur exhibit was a big hit and there were some fascinating displays of the human body. The kids' favorite, though, was The Big Backyard, where they explored the wonders of water, sand and rock (especially water!). Here are a few snapshots.



The rides at Nickelodeon Universe

(in the Mall of America)






























The Science Museum of Minnesota

This climbing area in the dinosaur exhibit captured Benjamin's attention. He went from one end to the other and didn't want to leave!



Joseph studied,
Elena poured,
and Benjamin tried to catch the water.

Pool time!

We had been thinking about getting the kids a bigger pool this summer, and a friend had one they needed to get rid of. So we took the plunge... ;-) (That was a David pun if I ever heard one!) The kids were thrilled, to say the least.

June 1... "helping" Mom set up. Not that complicated... that is, after dragging it around the yard trying to find a flat spot!

Joseph & Elena finally were still long enough for me to snap a picture! They spent many, many hours here this summer.

And we couldn't leave Ben out of the fun. He really didn't spend as much time in the pool as this shot suggests. His water time was mostly spent emptying the pool into my flower pots, one scoop at a time. But he sure had fun!

Kindergarten graduate!

Graduation was held Friday, May 22 at Doon PR church. Besides the two 8th grade graduates, six kindergarteners graduated and are excited to move on to 1st grade!

It's official! Elena is in 1st grade!

Elena and her teacher, Mrs. Westra

Kindergarten class of 2009

Jenna, Erica, Rosalyn, Sierra, Darren, Elena

Elena got right to work writing thank-yous. She loves to send letters.

Daddy's new toy(s)

We all went out to a friend's farm recently to test out the new shotgun and clay pigeon thrower. We went through our shells too quickly! Dave was putting them away pretty regularly and I even started to get the hang of it (even "dusted" one, according to Joseph). Joe manned the thrower and took his job very seriously. And Elena and Ben watched, with Ben saying "Uh-Oh, Boom" every time the gun went off. Fun day... we hope to do it again soon.