Just being goofy!!

We got our new lap top in the mail last week and Carissa had the most fun playing with the packing peanuts. The joys of finding the simplest things in life to have fun with!!

Beach Day with the Cramblets

Several weeks ago, my friend Michelle, took us to a private beach along the Lake Michigan shoreline that was owned by her brother-in-law. It was absolutely beautiful and peaceful. The kids (and us two grown women) had fun building sand castles and playing in the water. This was a rare day where the Lake Michigan waters were quite warm.

Bethany's Multi-Cultural Festival - August 15th

Mei Mei (little sister) and Ge Ge (Big brother)
Carissa giving Mr. Lee a kiss on the cheek

Playing horseshoes Ryan helping with a bigger kids game.

Ryan and Elizabeth Lee on racing
to see who can reach the farthest

Elizabeth Lee helping Carissa in the Crazy Bounce

It was a HOT day so they were giving out
ice cream. I think Carissa enjoyed it!!

This year Bethany Christian Services had a Serve-a-thon in the morning then that afternoon they had a "scaled" down version of their Multi-cultural festival. We had never been able to end in the previous years when it was much bigger so we decided to check it out this year. There weren't too many people in attendance, but we had fun meeting a few new families and seeing a few we already knew.

Minocqua Wisconsin with the Freed Family

Playing with daddy on the boat

Hanging out with Grandad in the hotel lobby
Carissa and Josie eating lunch!!

Sunset view from our patio - Beautiful!!

Miniature golfing with Scott, Ryan and Andrew

Josie and Carissa wearing their matching Chinese

PJ's that were bought for them in China.

Family picture taken outside of our room

Carissa and Ryan up on the deck of the

S.S. Badger on the way home

Celebrating the Summer Birthdays!!

The only three girls on this trip

Josie, Elizabeth and Carissa

Carissa hanging out with her cousin Andrew Ready to go for a swim!!

My water baby!!

Lake Minocqua

Every August for years, we have been getting together for a long weekend with Curt's family. For the last three years we have been going to Minocqua, Wisconsin. We take the Ferry across Lake Michigan from Ludington to Manitowac then head north past Green Bay. Carissa met everyone except her cousins, Will and Josie, at the Minneapolis airport they day we arrived back in America with her. Josie is just 4 months older than Carissa so it was fun to have the little girls together for the first time. The weather was a chillier than normal but the guys were still able to go fishing during the mornings in Uncle Jeff's boat. We didn't tube this year like we had in the past but was still a fun, relaxing trip. We also celebrated the summer birthdays.

My mom's 80th Surprise Birthday Party!!

Great Grandkids
Grandkids

Kids

Mom and her sister Donalee

My nephew Todd and Aunt Allie

On August 1, my mom celebrated her 80th birthday with a surprise party. All of her children, grand children and great-grand children were present (except for a few).

Visiting Mama and Papa's house in West Virginia

Waiting for our plane to arrive so we can fly to WV
Ice Cream truck in Mama and Papa's neighborhood

Playing with Uncle Bruce
Trying on Ry-ry's shoes
Carissa meeting her Great-Aunt Donalee for the first time.

My dad had right knee replacement surgery the middle of July. I decided to fly out with Ryan and Carissa to help once he got home. He was in the hospital a little longer than we thought but we had fun just visiting family that we don't get to see too often. While we were there, my Aunt Donalee flew out from Oregon and surprised my mom for her birthday.

Saying good-bye to the Hammond girls - July 20th

Carissa, Ryan, Sydney, Zoe and Breece

Amber playing on the teeter totter with Carissa

I first met the Hammond's when they moved back to Michigan from Australia and she was pregnant with Sydney, their oldest. Ryan was just a 1 1/2 year old when Sydney was born. A few months later we moved into the house right next door. Amber was always there, when I needed someone to talk to and they were wonderful neighbors. She was such an encouragement when Curt was going to job transitioning and also during our long journey of adoption. We moved away for a couple of years and when we came back in 2004, we picked up our friendship as if we had never been away (even though we didn't get to spend as much time together). During this past year, God has been leading their family to another area and they recently moved to Colorado. We had one last Pizza Hut lunch with her and the girls then we went to a park to play. We will miss them greatly but know that God will use them both greatly in Colorado. Who know, they may be back here in Michigan in a few years like we did.