JULY

It is hard to believe that it is almost time to flip the calendar over to August...summer is officially over half way done. I say it every year, and every year it goes by quicker...where does time go?!

We've certainly been busy working on the house, but, it's not always hard, serious work...we have made it fun for the kids...one of their highlights was putting our hands in the wet concrete to our new basement storage area.

The addition to our future kitchen went on a few weeks ago, tying in the old with the new...we had a few surprises, but, nothing to big for daddy to handle...

This is the back of the house taken a few weeks ago...

It now has a roof, shingles, and soon will be insulated and drywalled.

Isabel absolutely loves going to the house, even though there aren't really many toys...she can't wait to see the neighbor kids, but, even more, she loves to help daddy pack things up at the end of the day!

We haven't just been spending time at the house. This has been a summer full of good fun with friends and family, too!

We enjoyed our 6th annual Colombian Fiesta at our friends, the Zubryd's home!


Our kids love this day. One of Silas' favorite little Amiga's is Ally. Below they are sharing a grande abrazo!

I love this photo of Silas, that Tanya took at the Fiesta!
(as you can imagine, I so badly want an upgraded digital camera...see the difference)!


Isabel had fun seeing her Amiga, Sara, from Traverse City!

And of course, the pinata is always a big hit for the kiddos after dinner!!!

We also celebrated a few birthdays this summer. Below is a picture celebrating Grandma VanderMaas' birthday!

We spent some great time out at Grandpa and Grandma Van's House on Mona Lake! Isabel always loves it when her cousin Cate is around!

On the 4th of July, Daddy was determined to teach the girls how to water ski...but, this is about as far as they got...we had a few issues with the Sea Doos (a typical day at the VanSolkema home)...maybe in August!

Here the cousins stop for a minute before the real 4th of July firework show begins! (That would be the sparklers that they nearly cause an accident with, the little whistling whatevers that barely come off the ground, and yes, the ending is grand with long lasting sprouts of light off the ground...) It's a wonderful time with the familia!

We've also had loads of fun with our friends this summer...whether with our old friends, or new friends, friends from church, or school...we have been so blessed to be surrounded by such amazing families in our lives! And the kids, well...see below...

From slumber parties (above is Isabel's good friend, Quincy, after they "styled" each other's hair)

...to more slumber parties, and American Girl Doll adventures (above is Isabel with her good friend, Preslie)

...to the shores of Lake Michigan...Silas could play in it by the hour (even though the water has been freezing this summer)...

We've also really ENJOYED our pool that we have available to us through our condo lease. The water is always warm, and there is always someone fun to play with...whether it's the new twins we met in our neighborhood or inviting friends over for an afternoon...

Isabel was very happy to see Abbi, it had been way to long...

And well, Silas, ever since we've moved to Zeeland, almost every day asks to play with his new friend Chase! They have lots of fun together...and so do us moms!

It has been so full and rich this summer. I am continually in awe how God orchestrated (once again) moving our family to this small town of Zeeland...purchasing this run down old home (that keeps growing on us each day)...bringing new friends into our lives, sweet fellowship, so it truly is already feeling like we have "community!" Never in a million years would I have picked or planned this out...how could I? Downtown Holland, yes, any day, but, Zeeland?! I love this place!! Only a loving God could know what is best for each person in our home...and then open all the right doors at just the right time...I know our journey of life isn't always going to go this smooth and easy, and to many looking in, we're just simply crazy...but, right now, as summer days will soon be gone...I am going savor it, and let my Jesus dazzle me with His loving kindness!!