*Just a Piece*

This summer we had a GREAT time visiting many friends and family in the Midwest. Today I'm choosing to post about only part of this trip. As it is, this post may be a little bit photo heavy, but then again, you all know me and how the camera is so attached to me. (Or is it the other way around?) 

 The main focus for our trip out this year was a family reunion and celebrating Grandpa and Grandma Kooi's anniversary early (they married in December but let's face it: travel to Iowa in December is difficult!) as well as Grandma's birthday. We also wanted to see all the Kool Koois who don't live near us, which is most of the Kooi clan. 

First we went to the home where they live and put on a little program for their friends who live there also. 

Next up: We went to a park with The Coolest Shelter House I've Ever Seen and enjoyed great fellowship and fun games. I think altogether we had around 70 people come!

 Things got a little goofy, what with chatter about those who couldn't be with us in person...it seems a few people who didn't plan to come showed up anyway! 

 

These were a few of the entries for the photo scavenger hunt we played. There were some creative groups!

Sunday morning we worshiped together at Ireton CRC. What a wonderful way to end our family reunion trip, giving praise to our Lord for the blessings he has given our family over the many years. 

 Four Generations of Kooi men
 

 We even snuck a quick picture in with G&G before they left to go back home.

I just had to add this "one more" picture of cousins.

{ who knew? }

Today is Saturday. 
I always look forward to Saturdays because of the break in the schedule: change in wake up time, change in routine, change in responsibilities. Well, this morning there were definitely changes. Payton started running on the Cross Country team at the high school which meant an early morning race! ...and it also meant the alarm went off EARLIER than usual!!!

:: what we're up to ::

Well, you don't really want to know what we're up to tonight. Let's just say that a little one who is sick to her tummy has been up MULTIPLE times. And sometimes she wasn't up when she should have been. ugh. So to get my mind off of reality, I will re-live with you what we have been doing recently. 

Chloe says she'll never get tired of my cookies...

Enjoying my new little hobby over here. A friend wanted some cookies made for her daughter's bridal shower. So I got to try a cookie cutter I haven't done before!

+End of the School Year+Beginning of Summer+

This post brought to you by the letter F

{projects}

A pictorial overview of projects I have done or helped with in the last while:

 I'm so thankful for the time and energy and understanding as to how to do so many different crafts! Praise God who is the ultimate creator!

While I'm here...

Our spring has been busier than ever! I believe I am becoming a professional juggler, though perhaps not one who juggles particular items but rather one who juggles calendar schedules. Here is a peek:

:: once upon a time ::

...there was a girl who had a blog. She ignored her blog, but it was so faithful-- waiting for her to return day after day. 

Well In to the New Year

Um, how embarrassing that this is my first post this year. 
What are my excuses? No good ones come to mind. Let me make something up...My dog ate my posts?? Boot camp has taken over my life? (Read that: loss of sleep!!) I'm running around after my kids all over tarnation?? I started another blog?

We have been working hard to keep up with everything going on-- from school to birthdays to projects to practices. Each week is different but they are all full.