Time for an Update

Simply posting pictures of some of my favorite people who have blessed my life in the last ten days....

Lunch with Beckie!

Ty celebrated his 18th birthday on the 19th! He's started a new job - no more milking cows....
We had a great time taking him for the traditional dinner out - love that guy!



Enjoying some quiet time with Rick & Beckie during Street Performers in Holland

Deven turned 16 on the 24th! Of course, that means he got his driver's license and a first tank of gas from Grandpa :) Love him, too!





Tori spent the day with me today and she was a great help preparing for a bridal shower here in two weeks. She helped me wrap gifts and she assembled all the little boxes for the take-home favors.



While Tori was helping inside, Deven was cleaning my car - inside and out. What a treat!



It's been a rainy afternoon and a stormy night. The sign in the middle of the picture is posted in the grass at the edge of the pond!!! The water stretches far to the west and continues to rise.



We've had great fun with Tom & Anna and their kids! The pictures are of Noah's last ball game with the celebratory ice cream, fun at the park and downtown Holland, and yard games with Grandpa Bob and Grandma Nancy :) They watched the kids for the weekend and invited us out for a great meal on Sunday. We're eager and excited for them to make the move to Holland!

Laura and Ben keep us in touch with their girls through Skype and lots of photos! We're thankful their 'dearest and best' - Andrew & Chandra - made another trip to Pasadena to spend the weekend with Laura & Ben. They got to meet Annemieke and were entertained by delightful Amelia :)

Because my flight home from Pasadena needed to be re-routed, the kind airline agent arranged a seat for me in first class.....after nearly an hour at the counter. He wasn't terribly efficient and maybe it was my refusal to spend and overnight in Memphis, but he came through! I found out all the treats we miss out on back in 'economy class' - things like genuine dishes and silverware, shrimp cocktail, beverages, and a full meal with dessert! It was terrific!

Ice cream dessert - with berries and cheesecake :)

So many first class blessings in my life -
too many to count.

Blessed Beyond Words!!!

Annemieke Mae Lappenga was born on July 2!! She is a healthy, beautiful, content baby and Bill and I were blessed to spend some time in Pasadena with Laura and Ben and their precious girls! We enjoyed delicious meals on their front porch, walks to parks and playgrounds, swimming at a nearby pool, quiet afternoons, and stops at two farmers markets.

Bill could stay for only four days but I spent a full week. It was perfect in every way and we are very thankful that we were able to make our third trip there this year. Amelia is a joy - delightful, curious, and giggly! She LOVES her little sister!!

Pure beauty!

Precious family!

Bill and I celebrated our 42nd anniversary while in Pasadena. In 1969 we wondered what it would be like to 'grow old together' and now we know :) It's been a marvelous journey and we are thankful for God's many blessings on us!



Lots more pictures of our time with our beloved CA family:

Tom & Anna invited us to a cookout to celebrate the Fourth of July with her parents, Grandpa, and an aunt and uncle. We enjoyed a great picnic and old-fashioned yard games in their beautiful backyard. It was a perfect afternoon! The next night we watched the terrific fireworks at Kollen Park. It was a wonderful, patriotic couple of days!

After 20 years of marriage, John & Denise renewed their vows in a beautiful and meaningful ceremony at the cottage. Their entire family was there (28 of them, I think!) as well as some friends and extended family members. Mom and Rich surprised all of us, flying up from Florida for the occasion!

Denise & John

The Dieleman/Wierenga clan !!

Sisters!

Mom and Rich

My last post had a few pictures of our first weekend at the cottage. Here are more pics of our second week there:

Our blessings are too numerous to count!