Hot Tub

We no longer are using our hot-tub. We enjoyed it and thought it would be good for dad's knees. Dr. Milton Smit informed us warm water did more harm than good. Soooooo - if anyone is interested in it - please let us know. The problem will be with transporting it.

Family T-Shirts! (Respond Please)

I've gathered from most of you that family shirts would be cool for the 55th celebration this July. I asked a local t-shirt company to make a design, and this is what they came up with. The top picture shows the front and back views, while the bottom gives you a detail of the graphics. I love them! I think the best way to go about it would be for each family to pay for their own set of t-shirts. They ballparked them at about $10 each (but there might be a little extra for tax). When I get the orders from each family, I can send it in and get an exact figure for you, which I will post at a later date.

Now where YOU come in. And this is for every family, so please respond or unfortunately I will have to track you down some other way. Two things:
1. Do you like them? Just because I like the graphics doesn't mean you have to! (Perhaps remove the phrase in orange writing from the front of the shirt to make it simpler? Let me know if you think something should change.)
2. Please let me know what to order for your family. This includes the number of shirts and their sizes.

I'm excited about these!

The moment you've all been waiting for...

After my fashion show in Kouts on Mother's Day, many times trying on dresses, and some alterations...I finally chose my Banquet dress! :) My Junior-Senior Banquet was last Friday...and I had soooo much fun! The Banquet was at the Serbian Hall in Lansing. After Banquet, my friends and I did a photo scavenger hunt around Lansing and Munster, then on Saturday went to the Dunes and camped for a night, spending many hours at the beach and climbing the dunes. But I know that you all really want to see the dress...so here is my pick :)



On our way to the Banquet, 2 of my friends and I decided to stop at some train tracks to take a couple of pictures...but there was a stopped train, so we did it anyway...and we think they turned out pretty cool :) (Me, Allie, Julianne)

Cross Country

On Thursday I finished my last exam, officially ending my second year of law school. I know that I survived finals - I'll have to wait to see what the results were.

Leaving at O'Dark-Thirty, I got a jump on the Connecticut traffic and was well into Pennsylvania by the time the sun came up. The early morning craziness paid off, as it allowed me to take a few minutes enjoy Ohio's famous rest stops along my way as I made the trek in one day from Connecticut to South Holland.

Nick and Karen were nice enough to let me stay. I was surprised to learn of this fact, but apparently everyone who stays overnight at Nick and Karen's is allowed to drive the '65 Impala around, which was a lot of fun. For dinner we feasted like kings on Aurelio's and Sheboygan Christian Grade School apple pie. Grandpa and Grandma can speak to the positive qualities of New Haven pizza, but I still have to say that there is always a craving that only Aurelio's can fill.

On Sunday I continued my travels to Rudi and Stephanie, and finally arrived back home today. It is good to be back.

Finals week + Friends = Music Videos? Makes sense to me.

These videos are of myself, Karley, Melanie, and Lauren. The first one is a video we made last night. The one below that is one from finals week in December. Both take place in the spectacular venue of the Tibstra laundry room. (Sorry Rudi for bumping you down).

The T-shirt says it all...

Sawyer Loves Melmo

A recent obsession with her furry little red friend who's apparently named "Melmo."

Ukes Kids

The instruments are "ukes" the song is "kids." It doesn't get much better than that. Perhaps something for the choir to work on.

Mother's Day

This is an open invitation to the family to come to the VanDyke's house in Kouts on Sunday for lunch (and supper if you are still around). Mom and Dad will be coming and staying until late afternoon when they take off for Kathy's house for their annual fishing trip. Let me know who will be coming. All are invited, even the in-laws if you'd like. We'd like to eat around one if that's possible.

55th Anniversary Celebration - July 23 & 24

We spent last week in Wisconsin making reservations at the Blue Harbor Resort and Town & Country Golf Course. We have four condos rented for Friday and Saturday nights. Each one can sleep 10 - 12 people. Our plans include a shot-gun start on Saturday afternoon at 2:00. Mark your calendar and plan accordingly. Details to follow.