Return to Iowa

On Saturday, July 10, Kyper, Joel, and I hopped in the car and headed to Des Moines, IA. Joel had classes/tests that he had to be on campus for, so Kyper and I decided to join him and visit friends.

Kyper was an amazing passenger! We kept a seat open in the back so that Joel or I could keep him company, which is where these pictures came from. It took a little longer, because we made a longer pit stop so Kyper could crawl around and get some energy out. It was perfect. We stopped and got Subway and then we headed to the next rest area and had a picnic.

Dad is getting Kyper hooked on Coke already.

On Sunday, we went to our old church. It was so fun to see our old friends. After church, we hit up Pizza Ranch with Nate, Becky, Laura, Ryan, and Jennifer. We then had a relaxing afternoon and waited for Rick and Monique to come home. Rick and Monique were our gracious hosts.

On Monday, while Joel was at school. Mom and Kyper visited Anawim. It was fun to see some old co-workers. We then had lunch with my old supervisor, Sr. Stella. Unfortunately, Kyper was not a happy camper at lunch. I picked up my friend Mo from the airport and we hit up Jasper Winery for one of our favorite wines. We ate dinner and hung out with Rick and Monique that night. I was also able to go to knitting club that night. :)

On Tuesday, Kyper and I visited Christia. I got to knit while Kyper napped at her house. The school had a picnic for all the 3rd years, so Joel, Kyper and I said hello to some of our old friends there that night, but we did not eat there. Roger and Meri, friends from church, hosted us for dinner that night.

On Wednesday, Monique took the day of work and hung out with Kyper and me. It was Kyper's birthday! We ran some errands, which included buying him some birthday gifts. Rick and Monique gave us a photo shoot for his birthday, so we did that in the afternoon. The pictures turned out great. If you want to see them, tell me and I can send you the link with instructions on how to get to them. We had a fast dinner with Rick and Monique and then friends from church came for a little party. We didn't advertise it as a birthday party for Kyper, but there was some cake and a few presents. Below are some pictures.


On Thursday, Kyper and I hung out with Katrina and her son Z. At night, we had a picnic with the spouses/significant other group that I was/am a part of through the school.

On Friday, Kyper and I had a very relaxing morning. At noon, we had a pizza lunch with Brandie and Clint, Eric and Chelsea, and Jayme and Sarah. It was fun to see all of them again. We played bocce ball and had ice cream. That night we went out to Lake Red Rock to see the cliffs.

On Saturday, we had to head back to west Michigan, but we couldn't leave without going to the Farmer's market. So, we hit that up first and then headed out. Kyper did well again on the way home! What a champ!

Last Week in Holland

The last week in Holland (July 5) was as busy as the other 3.

Aren and Leah were in town, so we hit up the beach with them and Tim and Melanie on the morning of the 5th.






On Monday night, Kyper got to play with his cousins while Joel and I played mini-golf with a few friends. Stephanie and Scott and Cara and David. It was fun!


All the wives beat their husbands! (This was my first time beating Joel in 9 years; I gloated just a bit.)
Later that week we went to the yacht club and Kyper got to play in his new float. He is a fish and loves the water. He also got to play with Grandpa and Grandma and see the boats.


Here is Joel and Tim with a tractor sign. Tim and Melanie live out in the country

Fourth of July Weekend

We had a very event-filled Fourth of July weekend. Besides a beautiful wedding on Friday night (see blog post below for the wedding pictures), we spent time at the beach, went to the yacht club, went shopping, went sailing, went to church, and had an early birthday party for Kyper, so family could celebrate with us including Uncle Aren and Tia Leah from Milwaukee. (Most of the pictures are from his birthday party.)

Here is Joel and Melanie sailingTim and Aren manned the grills at Kyper's party.

I had a fish theme going on for the party. I put food coloring in the frosting and added Swedish fish candies on top.

Kyper liked his cupcake

Becky V. sent us a package a few days before the party, so we waited to open it until his party.

My baby turned 1!

His cousins loved helping him open gifts. He probably won't let them do that every year.

Tim put the sprinkler on, so my nieces and nephews had fun with that.

They also enjoyed Kyper's pool. (That was a early b-day gift from us.)

Aren, Joel and Tim entertained the kids with some firecrackers.

My Little Brother Got Married!

On July 2--my younger brother Jeff got married to Jen. (He also turned 25 that day!) It was a beautiful ceremony. Jen looked so beautiful. They both were so happy! I am thankful that Jeff found Jen and that she is now part of our family!

Here are some pictures from the festivities.
Part 1: Rehearsal

I love this picture of my brother David with my niece Peyton.

Peyton, Nick, and Syd looking good for the camera.Part 2: Wedding Day

Phillips family picture...don't we clean up well.
(Kyper got to be involved with the pictures, but then had a sleepover at Grandpa and Grandma Phillips.)

My family

My brother, David, and his family--Joy, Mariah, Sydney and Peyton. I love these goofballs!During the ceremony Jeff and Jen washed eachother's feet. It was so beautiful.

The rings! It's official--Jeff and Jen Koning!

Jeff and Jen had little poppers/streamers as they left the church! Doesn't this just scream happiness and "let's get this party started!"

They had a mini cooper as their getaway car thanks to me and my friend Melanie. Melanie's parents let us use theirs. It has been Jen's dream to drive/ride in one. And, we made it possible.

Jeff and Jen stopped to get Slurpees before the reception

Dancing in our wedding shoes!

Joel and I got to drive the mini home. We made it about 3/4 of the way with the top down until I was too cold.

If you want to see more of their pictures click HERE. I love the one of the wedding party jumping!

Blog Catch Up--The end of June

The past five weeks have been a whirlwind! Here is a bullet list of what happened during the last two weeks of June:

• Joel celebrated his first father's day.
• Joel had a pirate themed birthday party with Tim, Melanie, me and Kyper. It was very low-key, but Melanie had gotten some pirate decorations for her nephew's birthday...we broke some of them in.

• I got to babysat for my nieces on the Tuesdays when we were in West Michigan. It was fun.
• I started work!
• I went to my sister-in-law's bacholerette party.
• Joel got to go kayaking with Tim.
• Joel took Kyper on the sailboat.
• Kyper had a play date with Madelyn and his haircut.
• We hit up Holland State Park. Kyper loves the beach and water!
• Kyper had some fun pictures taken by Tim and Melanie's garden.

Happy Birthday

(I know i have some blog catch up to do, but alas, you will have to wait for that since I don't have pics on this computer and Joel is using his.)

But, I just wanted to tell everyone in blog world that it is my handsome son's first birthday!!!

I am not sure where this year has gone. It has been one of the hardest and best years of my life. I am so blessed to be Kyper's mom. I love him more than I ever knew it was possible to love another human being. Being a mom has taught me a lot about grace and love.

I love you Kyper Simon. Happy first birthday!