Camping with the Van Dams

Back in October the extended Van Dam family were planning a camping trip to Silver Lake in June. At that time I was 8 months pregnant and thought there was no way we were going to go camping with twins. Scot and I are the king and queen of last minute decisions and on Thursday night we decided to go camping at Silver Lake this weekend with the twins.

It worked out great because we were able to stay in the camper with Dad and Mom. Scot and I slept in the bunk beds in the back of the trailer and we put up two pack-n-plays in the living room area for Skylar and Alysha. This is the second camping trip for the girls and they did fantastic!!!

We headed up on Friday afternoon around 2:30. We did have to stop at a rest area to feed the girls. We arrived in Silver Lake around 5:00. We had hamburgers with the Balder family and ended the night with a bonfire. The girls went down for bed around 8:30 and they did not make one peep all night long and slept till 7:15!!!

Mason playing with Alysha.

Dinner with the Balder Family

Marc, Mary, Levi, Jake, and Josie having their dinner.

Aunt Sharon and Amber at the bonfire.

Josie helped change the girls into their PJs.

This morning we had breakfast with the whole Van Dam Family. Pancakes, eggs, muffins, and smokie links were a few of the things available for breakfast. Everything was so good that no one should have left breakfast hungry. Thankfully, we had many hands to help with the girls this weekend.

Mason & Josie loved playing with Alysha and Skylar. They were great babysitters.

The girls with Great Grandpa Van Dam.

Aunt Dawn talking to Alysha.

Grandma & Skylar

In the afternoon a group of us went in the dunes. Scot and I were able to go because Grandma and Papa watched Skylar and Alysha for us! Thanks Mom and Dad!! Uncle Paul drove Scot and I around in his buggy. It was fun and scary all at the same time. The buggy made it up test hill with no problems. We were able to catch some rays by the beach as well.
When we got back Scot and I took the girls to the pool for the first time. Both of the girls screamed their heads off and did not like it at first. Thankfully after awhile they started to get use to it and eventually liked it.

We all had dinner together with again tons of great food. After dinner Scot and I headed home hoping the girls would fall asleep and stay asleep when we got home. Of course Skylar had a different idea when we got home.....she wanted to play for a little while.

Scot and I are glad we made this last minute decision because we had a great time, wonderful weather, and enjoyed spending time with the whole family.

Happy 50th Birthday Mom!!!!

Tonight we had two reasons to celebrate, Father's Day and my Mom's 50th birthday.

My whole family came over and we had a cookout to celebrate. We had plenty of food and great chocolate cake!!! Everyone was stuffed!

The girls.

Grandma with Alysha and Skylar. Looks like Skylar is starting to like the camera.

Amber, Lee, my Dad, me, and Sarah

Dad opening up his gifts.
Happy 50th Birthday Mom and Grandma!!!
Mom receiving her laundry cart for her birthday. Skylar and Alysha chillin in their bouncy seats.

Skylar playing with Uncle Lee and Cadence.

Happy Father's Day

Today, Scot celebrated his first Father's Day. The girls gave their daddy a big bag of peanut M&M's and a black wind breaker with Van Dam Concepts on it.

This morning our family attended the 8:30 service at church and we had a GREAT message. Skylar and Alysha went to nursery for the first time. Thankfully, the girls did great in nursery.

All Scot wanted for Father's Day was to go to Boatwerks in Holland for their Sunday buffet.

Mom and Dad Van Dam and the Balder family joined us for lunch. We were very disappointed when we arrived to Boatwerks and found out that the only Sunday they do not do the brunch is on Father's Day.....crazy. Oh well....we still had a great lunch. It was nice to catch up with the Balder Family because we don't get to see them that often.

Scot with his girls, Skylar and Alysha.

Brad with his boys, Colton and Mason.

Dad with his kids, Holly and Scot.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!

Our Kick Off to Summer

This past weekend we had a cook out with our friends to kick off our summer. We could not have asked for better weather. It was a great time catching up with friends. This year there are so many more little ones that are part of the group. The guys were able to play hillbillie horse shoes and once the kids were all sleeping we all sat around the bonfire till late in the night. I have not been up that long in a very long time.

Camping in Ludington

Tuesday, May 25 the girls and I headed up to Ludington with my sister, Sarah. We were going to go camping for a couple days with my sister Amber at her trailer. I had no idea if this was going to be a good idea or the craziest idea. Camping with three infants, a toddler almost three, and three adults....CRAZY right???

Well, I am happy to report we all survived and are all alive to talk about it. It was super hot when we first got there. Amber and David were already up there with their family. David took Sarah and Eli for a golf cart ride to check out the campground.

Relaxing and trying to get some sun.

Skylar and Alysha chilling out.

Sarah helping with the twins.

Miss Alysha

Miss Gwen

Eli talking to Alysha

Skylar getting her beauty sleep.

Alysha and I after taking a nap.

Skylar, Alysha, and Gwen all received the cutest cow pajamas from Aunt Sarah! I was thankful Sarah brought them up north because the girls were running out of pajamas.

Our make shift changing table.....used a lot!!!!

The girls sleeping after our stroller ride around the park! We had a great time and the girls did great! We went for stroller rides, had a bonfire, relaxed when the girls were napping, and water balloon fights. We headed home on Thursday after the girls mid morning feeding. This was a great experience...I can't believe how much I had to pack for three days!!