"Oh What a Night"

Scot & I were lucky enough to be able to take advantage of a trip to Toronto w/Michigan Millers Insurance Company. Michigan Miller's Agency Incentive Trip for 2008 was four days in Toronto, Canada. Thursday morning Scot & I had to be at Michigan Millers Headquarters in Lansing at 5:15 to catch a charter bus. The bus took us to Windsor. At Windsor we caught a train to Toronto. This was the 1st time Scot & I have been on a train. The train was nice & spacious.

Scot and I on the Train to Toronto.

We arrived in Toronto around 3:00 & checked into the Fours Seasons Hotel. This hotel was 1st class all the way. Definitely a hotel Scot & I are not accustomed to.

Here is our view from our room on the 21st floor.

Thursday night the trip started w/a cocktail reception.

This is Dave & Debbie Hildenbrand. Dave is my producer I work with at Lighthouse Insurance.

Evonne Miedema & Marsha Jensen-Lewis are two other co-workers that also attended the trip.

On Friday, after breakfast, Scot & I walked around Toronto to check out the city. Toronto is a very big town with tons of shopping opportunities. Around noon, we caught the charter buses and took advantage of the tour to Hockey Hall of Fame.

Scot & I were able to see and touch the Stanley Cup!

Statue outside the Hockey Hall of Fame.

After our tour we got ready for our dinner at the Centro Restaurant. Scot got fillet mignon & I got chicken. After dinner we went to the play/musical, "Jersey Boys". "Jersey Boys" is based on the story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons. The the play was EXCELLENT & Scot and I really enjoyed it. The actors in this play have all been blessed with huge talent. If you were wondering why my title is "Oh What a Night", it is b/c that is a song by The Four Seasaon that we sang a lot during the weekend & could not get it out of our heads. After the play we went back to the hotel and were surprised with a gift bag in our room. In the gift bag was the CD from the musical, "Jersey Boys" and a bottle of wine.

Saturday we spent the day at Niagara Falls. We had to take the charter buses for a 90 minute ride to get there, but it was sure worth it. Niagara Falls is a reminder of God's art work. What a beautiful sight! We took the historical ride abroad the world famous Maid of the Mist. Yes, we did get wet but it was fun. After our boat ride we had lunch w/Marsha and Will Lewis. After dinner we did a little bit of shipping & our last stop was to the Hershey Store! You can't walk out of that store w/out getting some kind of chocolate - YUMMY!!!

Scot and I in front of the falls - What a beautiful sight!!

Niagara Falls had beautiful flower gardens. There was several bridal parties getting their pictures taken.

Here we are on the Maid of the Mist. You have to love the blue rain gear:)

Our Saturday ended with a Gala Farewell Reception at The Grand Banking Hall at 1 King West. The restaurant was beautiful.


This weekend Scot had to get dressed up every night for dinner. He even wore a sports jacket! I will tell you what, for a contractor he cleans up really nice!! He looks hot in a tie!

Thanks Michigan Millers for the WONDERFUL WEEKEND!

"Hard G Clue"

What in the world kinda of title is that? This past Saturday was my first ride in my Dad's new buggy. My Dad took his horse down to Indiana to be trained by the Amish. Yelling Hard G to his horse makes the horse turn to the right very sharp. It amazes me what the Amish are able to train a horse to do. And they say horses are just hay burners!! Saturday night we had a get together for my Dad's 50th birthday with family and friends. I have been calling him "5-0" for the past couple of weeks. We were blessed with wonderful weather and a great time. Everyone enjoyed taking their turn riding in my Dad's two buggy's. My brother-in-law, Chris was driving the Amish buggy. The picture below is clue doing a "Hard G".

Chris & Sarah in front of my Dad's new buggy. And Chris driving the Amish Buggy with Sarah acting as co-pilot.

Amber and I taking our turn inside the buggy. What a smooth ride!!

I think my Dad has found his new hobby! Hopefully he will be able to enjoy it for a long time to come! Now he just needs a white coat with a top hat :-)

Fish Mates

Are you asking yourself, What are fish mates? Fish Mates is my new craft. Fish Mates is a fish tank that you can hang on the wall. Hang it in your office, bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, dorm room, class room...anywhere that you have a wall. Your options are endless. Fish Mates are easy to clean and save you space on your table, dresser, or desk. I have the following shapes in all sorts of colors: circles, diamonds, octagons, and fish. I even have a few that can hook over your cubicle wall! Today I had my second craft show at Garfield Park in Grand Rapids. None of this would be possible without the help & skill from Scot, my husband. Thanks Scot for all your hard work over the past couple of weeks & making this possible for me!!! Special thanks to Scot, my parents, and my sisters for helping me out today with setting up and helping me with cashing people out today!! I could not have done it without your help. I am very blessed to have such a supportive family! Stay tuned for furture listings of Craft Shows we will be attending. Thanks to all those that purchased a Fish Mate today!!! If you are interested in one or have any questions please send me an email at mvandam@allcom.net.

September 6 - Two Anniversaries

September 6, is a day I always will always celebrate two anniversaries. 11 years ago today, my sister, Sarah, was involved in a serious car accident. She was leaving a party and heading to her boyfriend's house. A truck driver ran the stop sign at 24th Ave and Byron Road and ended up hitting Sarah on the driver side. That night will always be fresh in my mind like it was yesterday. The months to follow were stressful and most of our time was spent at Mary Freebed. I think As you most of you know, Sarah is still alive today and that is a blessing from God!!!

Six years ago today, Scot and I said our wedding vows in front of friends and family. Our honeymoon was spent in Aruba. Oh... how I wish that Scot and I were heading there tomorrow. Aruba was WONDERFUL!! I can not believe how fast the past 6 years have gone and I can only imagine how fast the next 6 years will go. Year after year, Scot and I only grow closer to one another! Love you tons Scot!!! Happy Anniversary :-)

Labor Day - The end of summer....

Most of my day today was spent at my parent's pool. It was very relaxing floating in the water & reading my book. I think this was my last weekend to get some color :) Later in the day, the rest of my family showed up & we grilled out & used the slide on the pool one last time. I can not believe today is Labor Day which means only 4 more months till 2009. Where does the time go?

Chris was feeding Eli Watermelon. I think Eli was wearing more watermelon juice than what he ate! Eli loves any type of food that makes a big mess.

The Neale Family - David, Amber & Eli

Lee & Cadence chilling in the basement figuring out what letters they need from Subway in order to when a trip for four. Nice hat Lee!!

Scot going down the slide on his back?!?! I think his first time his back was super red from smacking the water. Scot did a lap in the pool b/c he wants to compete w/Michael Phelps in the next Olympics:)

Sarah & I in the water for the last time in 2008. After dinner the water was a bit chilly - only 71 degrees!!

Scot & I - After I was thrown in by Scot!!

DeWeerdt Cottage

Saturday, August 30 Scot & I joined our friends for one last summer get together. We spent the afternoon & evening on Hutchins Lake at Steve & Andrea's cottage. We ended up taking Trigger so he could play with his buddy, Talley. The weather was great for some tubing behind the boat and trips on the SeaDo. We ended the night with a friendly game of Texas Holdem and of course some heated conversation about the presidential candidates :)
Michael Slotman, Scot, and Steve DeWeerdt getting ready for their first tube ride of the night. I think this is the only time they showed mercy to one another. I hate to say it, but Michael never fell off his tube. I think he was the Champ!!
Me, Karen Wedeven, and Holly Kellum after dinner, catching up on our busy lives.

And of course, the most two spoiled black labs in the Hamilton area, Talley and Trigger. I am not sure what Steve & Scot would do without those dogs. I think Andrea would agree with me when I say sometimes it is just RIDICULOUS how much attention those dogs get :)

Erin Slotman & her adorable daughter, Ava. Erin took Ava on the boat when we were pulling the guys and Ava wasn't so sure about it at first.

Scot & Scott Sloothaak chilling out and acting as the professional line judges on the badmitton game.