Work Day - You may or may not know that we have bought a house in Valparaiso.  We close on it September 6th.  There is a lot we need to do before we move in.  We are planning a work day on Saturday, September 14th.  If you would like to come help, we would love that.  There are shrubs and plants that have to be removed.  The previous owners had 3 girls so we have to paint all the bedrooms and do some major cleaning. 

We will definitely feed you so if you can make it please let one of us know so we can make sure to have enough food.  You can call either of us on our cell.  Taylor - 707-6603 or Nicole - 929-6199.  We will  appreciate anything you can help with.  Thanks for all your support.

Sawyer's First Day of School and Family Soccer Pics

Sawyer just started preschool at Timothy Christian (where I work).  She is SO excited to be in school.  TC also had our home opener for the soccer season and Steph and the kids were there.  A soccer dad took a bunch of pics.

Photobooth Pictures

Sorry for taking over the blog with these, but I thought you'd appreciate having these pictures on here rather than on Facebook. =] Just had to share them, enjoy!

Fantasy Football Draft

We're excited to host the Yous Kids Fantasy Football Draft Sunday night. Wondering who will be attending? so I can figure out how much food to get for supper. Remember the rules (they were posted as you entered last year): No smoking! No spitting! No swearing! But now, Let's Get Ready To Rumble!!

Family Vacations 2013

THANKS Karen & Nick!  A wonderful week in paradise.

                            Let's just say, we got this party started!



Birchwood - fishing, games, adventures, and fun!  
Thanks Grandma & Grandpa VanDrunen!

Xander Finally Gets His Train

Thanks to some expert deal-hunting at a neighbors' yard sale (Thanks to my cousin Shana!), Xander finally got the train set and table that he has been interested in for a while now.

He woke up from his nap, and I brought him down to unveil his present.  Here's his reaction.

Heidi and Alex go fishing--Birchwood trip 2013

Last week, Heidi and I took a much needed vacation to the North Woods. Our exclusive beachside resort was well provisioned and even included fishing guides Brian and Jeff, as well as a personal chef named Kathy. 

This was Heidi's first ever time fishing, but by all accounts she was a natural. She was even granted the honor of being compared by my mom to Grandma VD, given her style of flawlessly setting the hook, as well as her propensity to outfish the men in the boat. 

Thankfully there were many fish to go around. We had a blast hanging out with my parents and my uncle Jeff and cousin Jeanette and her husband Yut, who serves as an assistant pastor in Chaing Mai, Thailand. 

Below are several pictures of our conquests and experiences. 

Heidi's first fish! I nicknamed Heidi "T-Gill" based on the turquoise raincoat she often wore (see below) along with her tendency to catch a large number of bluegills (as well as every other type of fish as it turned out).

My uncle Jeff with his eyes closed, along with Yut and my dad on an early morning fishing trip.

My dad's incredibly fat 16" largemouth. 

Anything I can do she can do better. I'm actually happy here--not exactly sure why I've pulled an "American Gothic" face.

Grant Wood's "American Gothic"

Heidi came out bass fishing one morning and caught this huge 16.5" largemouth.  Caught on rocky shoreline of big birch with a black spinnerbait. 

A beautiful morning on the water.

After consulting with Heidi and getting a few pointers, I caught my own monster bass. 17". Caught on a huge surface bite using a J-11 rainbow trout pattern jointed rapala along the rocky shoreline of big birch. 

 Not to be outdone, my mom caught the fish of the trip--a 17.5" monster smallmouth. This fish was caught on a slip bobber set at 8 feet in about 12 feet of water by the red pontoon cover near the channel between big birch and chetak.  Naturally, the trophy fish was caught on a black flu flu with a wax worm using severely frayed 2 pound test line. Somehow, she got this in the boat.   Check out the video below for a sense of the excitement. Also, compare my mom's excited/frightened face with Sawyer below--coincidence?

We also highly recommend the dock-up bar in the channel between big birch and chetak.

Thanks very much to Grandpa and Grandma for letting us use the cabin. We had a wonderful time.