Superman Sam

Six years ago when Sam was born, we often referred to him as Superman Sam. Despite all the obstacles that came his way, he always seem to fly through them without any problems. We are fully aware that not everyone who has a child with health issues has a success story and it is with a grateful heart that we give God all the glory for guiding Sam (and us) through those scary times. He has done an amazing work in our little boy's life. And continues to do so! (So take that you stupid doctor who told us to consider an abortion!) While we realize that sports may not be a big part of Sam's life in the future (we're taking it one year at a time) I take so much joy in watching him participate now and succeed in things that we never imagined he would be able to do. Honestly, I imagined it, but I didn't let myself get too hopeful because most of the doctors told us not to bank on it. As former athletes, this was hard news for Brian and I to swallow, but in time we realized how UNimportant sports are when it comes to the overall health and well-being of your child. Whether or not our boys play sports is not our priority as parents. We want them to grow up to be God honoring, family honoring men. If they play sports, then I pray they will give God the glory for giving them bodies that are able to do so. This summer, Sam has used his little body to its fullest...running around with the neighborhood boys, jumping on the tramp, climbing trees, swimming, playing t-ball, and today he finished up 3 weeks of tennis lessons which was preceded by 2 weeks of swimming lessons. And he hasn't slowed down yet...

Swim Lessons

Tennis Lessons

Hooping it with the neighborhood boys

Keep it up Sam! Mom and Dad love watching you grow up and we are so proud of you!

Baldwin Oaks Camping

A few weeks ago, the Timmer Family joined us at Baldwin Oaks for a weekend of camping. We all had a riot! The kids played HARD...riding bikes, swimming, playing at the playground and just ramming around getting dirty and eating lots of food. The adults pretty much had it made...lots of sitting around relaxing, sipping cool drinks and just watching the kids from our campsite....well, except for chasing Carter and keeping him from jumping in the firepit! On the second night the Gruppens joined us and added to the fun. Oh, and there might have been a late night "Girls Only" T.P.-ing episode in the metropolis of Hudsonville...the but that's a story for another day. :)

The 3 amigos

Hours spend playing in the open area

My little buddy

Sam x 2...looking like a cute old married couple taking an evening stroll

Dude, what's in there!

Choo Choo...come on ride that train

Sam and her daddy

Our Sam and his daddy

My boys...they love to play with their daddy

The whole crew taking a short DVD siesta on a hot afternoon

Thumbs up for hobo pies!

The men..."tending the fire"

Bubbles!

Hiding in the big tunnels on the playground

Lilly Jean

Carter Jacob

Lilly getting brave and jumping to Momma Cory

Wild man Carter knows no fear!

Sparklers on the last night

What a great weekend...can't wait until next year!

Carter's 2 Year Birthday Party

I'm falling way behind on the blog, so here's my first attempt to catch up (with hopefully more posts to come in the next few days). Last Sunday we had a birthday party for Carter at our house with my side of the family. Our little cutie loved all the attention and had fun opening gifts with his brother and cousins.

Dear Carter,

We can't believe you are two years old already! It's been a fun filled two years and our family is so blessed to have you here. Your constant joy and laughter fills our house with so much happiness. Daddy and I can't get enough of your smiles and silly giggles and everyone thinks you're adorable with your curly hair and big blue eyes. You just adore Sam, but you already know how to push his buttons and vice versa. I love watching you two interact and play trucks and trains and wrestle all day long. I hope you are always buddies and learn to enjoy each other more and more as you grow up. One thing is for sure, you have ALOT of energy and when you're awake, you live life to the fullest...running, jumping and climbing on everything. Your a little monkey and barely slow down long enough to eat some days. Lately you've been talking a lot more. You try to say everything we ask you to and while reading books you know the words for almost everything, but your pronunciation isn't the greatest yet. My favorite thing is when your playing hard and all of a sudden you climb on my lap and give me a big kiss out of the blue. It melts my heart and sometimes I wish I could just bottle this age...your cuteness, your innocence, your curiosity, and even your naughtiness. It's hard to be mad at you because you cry the biggest alligator tears and have the most pitiful sad look when we have to discipline you. We all love you so much and hope you grow up to be a faithful follower of Jesus.

Love,

Momma & Daddy

Happy 2nd Birthday Carter!

Our baby boy is 2 years old today! Happy Birthday Carter Jacob! I think Sam was more excited about the big day than he was. He bugged me from 8:00-9:00 to wake Carter up, so to keep him occupied we made blueberry pancakes with sprinkles and blew up balloons. Once the big birthday boy woke up, we celebrated with candles in his pancake and sang Happy Birthday. Carter seemed a bit clueless but he blew out the candles and had a big smile on his face.

Oops, I cut off his hand, but Carter is trying to make "2" fingers to show how old he is!

Opening a gift from Papa & Nana Beckham...a crazy truck that talks and dances!

"Shake what your mama gave you!"

(Seriously, that's what is says!)

Auntie JoJo also sent a cool truck and Grandma Everett & Aunt Nancy sent a huge Corvette, so Carter has been busy all day playing with his new toys. Thanks everyone for making his day! Sunday we will have a celebration with the Frego side of the family...more pics to come.

Up next: Camping pics from last weekend...stay tuned!

Down on the Farm

Friday afternoon we traveled to Hillsdale to hang out with Brian's sister, her boyfriend and a bunch of their friends & kids. The new boyfriend lives on a 450 acre farm...not kidding! It was amazing and the boys were filthy from head to toe and loved every minute of life on a farm. They explored, rode bikes, jumped on the tramp, swam in the lake, took a tour of the property in a 6-wheel jeep ranger, played with dogs, and even went to a rodeo!

The Farm: gorgeous views that stretched as far as the eye could see in every direction!

Friday night rodeo: cowboy lassoing a cattle

Another cowboy wrestling a steer

Take down!

Sam was inthralled by all the action, while Carter was more interested in...

...trying to escape to pet the horses!

Later that night we had a bonfire, made smores, ran around with glow sticks and did sparklers too...

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The next day, the kids had hours of fun in the dirt

went for a boat ride

Sam got tossed into the lake

Ryan and Sam loved jumping off the platform

Even Murph swam out to join us...silly old dog!

Ah, what a day!

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The day before we left, Sam helped me make some festive holiday cupcakes...

everyone enjoyed eating them, especially Carter!

HAPPY 4th of JULY!!!