Camp Sunshine 2011

Nate and I had the privilege of spending two days at Camp Sunshine this summer. This was Nate's 7th summer and my 4th summer helping out at the Camp. For those of you who don't know, Camp Sunshine is a camp that strives to provide a camp experience for individuals with developmental disabilities. It was hard leaving Ty for two full days but he had his own fun with a number of different people (thanks to Nate's family, Toddlerville, and Elies!). Nate and I love being at this camp. For me, it is completely exhausting and rejuvenating all at the same time. Being there reminds me and refocuses me on what is truly important in life. I learn so much from these campers in just a short amount of time, and it is truly a blessing to be able to spend time with them.

The first day we took a few field trips. One was to a blueberry farm where each camper got to pick a container full. The blueberries were then all put together and the camp made blueberry french toast and muffins with them!

We also went to Holland Fish & Game and all 67 campers got to fish.

Here is a picture of Nate and Zach. Nate and Zach have been great friends since elementary school and Zach even stood in our wedding. He is full of life, and is so much fun to be around.

After each meal, there is a time of reflections where we sing songs and have a bible lesson.
The best part of camp is the talent show. Each camper signs up to perform his/her talent on stage. It is so cool seeing the performances and watching the campers be so proud to be performing on a stage. There were talents that ranged from clapping to drawing pictures to throwing a baseball to telling jokes to singing and dancing.
I helped perform "Stuck like Glue" on stage... yes :)

Zach performing with his Hope Chicks!
Nate, Zach and I after the talent showWe can't wait till Camp Sunshine 2012!

John Ball Zoo

We finally made it to John Ball Zoo! Neither of us had been there in quite some time and it was great to see the changes they had made! There were more hands on things for you to do, and it was fun seeing Ty explore everything!

Ty loved the sting ray pool. Not only did he like touching them (he'd laugh each time he'd touch one) but he also loved splashing in the pool (we had to finally leave because he wouldn't stop haha). There was also a petting zoo there. These little goats just surrounded him!

This was my personal favorite! You went into this cage and there were TONS of birds. You bought these little sticks and the birds would jump on the stick to eat the bird seed. Ty was not sure what to think about this....... The birds LOVED Nate.... he had about 5 or 6 of them on him at one point...
Ty and I by the "waterfall"

The John Ball Zoo is perfect for a little one Ty's age. I loved that we got to see and explore everything in just about 2 hours. Any longer and I think he would have lost it :)

Exploring

Exploring the cupboard
One day, this became Ty's mission, to fit into the cupboard. He used to be able to fit into this cupboard, but that was a few months ago. However, he was determined to fit in.... so he tried this way.....and this way......

and this way.......

and backwards.....

after about 15 minutes he finally gave up.... haha

Exploring Crazy Bounce
Amy and I decided that we wanted to take the kids to Crazy Bounce the other day when it was rainy. I wasn't sure if Ty was going to be able to do that much but he LOVED it. He loved the ball pit in the mini bounce house and he also loved going down the huge blow up slides!

Exploring Bubbles

We have finally found our love for bubbles!! I tried putting bubbles in a few times before this, and he totally freaked out when I did. I decided to try again, and it was a hit! Every night at bath-time he points to the bubbles container and says "Ba-Ba"!

Canada 2011

Our trip to Canada is what Nate and I look forward to most in the summers. My dad started going there when he was a little boy after his grandfather had built a wood cabin on Lake Chub. This Lake is 30 minutes from the nearest "town" and is just absolutely beautiful. We stay in cabins which have no real connection to the "outside world" and I LOVE it! We spend our days relaxing, fishing, playing cards, and just sitting by the lake.

The cottageOn the boat

Nate teaching Ty how to fish!

This is the fish Ty caught on his 2 foot Snoopy fishing pole!!

Nate's catch..... I will add that Nate caught a much bigger bass. He landed a 20 inch bass, and his crazy wife accidentally dropped the fish before he could get a picture with it..... I felt awful.... bad wife of the year award!

and then there is mine..... haha. I didn't have the best year!

Nate and I on our anniversary! We have spent every anniversary in Canada, and probably forever will! What a great way to celebrate!
Family game of hearts
Ty found his love for "dipping" his food into things..... salsa, ketchup, ranch, he loves it all!
It was extra hot and humid this year which made for great swimming weather
Our annual Candy Rock Mountain hike. This is where Nate had proposed to me, and we always said we'd have to do the hike every year since then. We were planning on getting a hiking backpack before we left, but it just didn't happen. SO, Nate carried Ty on his shoulders the whole way. Now, this isn't the hardest hike, but it sure isn't flat the whole way. I was so happy Nate did this though, I love being able to share these memories with Ty!
We also love going kayaking on the lake. Maggie has always loved going with us, and we were so excited to bring Ty out this year. He loved it! He was hesitant at first with the life jacket, but once he realized that the life jacket meant either the boat or the kayak he was always squealing with excitement to get it on!
miss these evenings out on the boat......
The countdown now begins to next year's trip! We are hoping to make it two weeks next year! I am keeping my fingers crossed!

Utensils, fountains, and pools :)

Over the last few weeks we have really been trying to get Ty interested in using utensils when he eats. He struggles with the fork, but with the spoon, he LOVES to eat yogurt with it. We have yogurt just about everyday after nap and it's the perfect time to let him get messy while working on his skills. :)

Downtown Holland with Kelly and Taylor

Ty's first milkshake! Nate had gotten a mint chocolate chip milkshake and Ty just loved it. He had a tantrum every time we took it away from him.

Pool time with aunt Kara and aunt Kelsi

Wisconsin

Nate and I decided to join the rest of his family on a trip to Wisconsin to visit his aunt, uncle, cousin Juan, and his grandparents. Normally, this trip takes us about 4 1/2 hours. Little did we know that we would hit every single traffic jam possible. So, instead of 4 1/2 hours, it took us 8 1/2 hours.... not quite what we had planned! Ty did SO well, which we were so thankful for! We arrived just in time to put Ty to bed. The following day we all drove to visit his uncle, who just had a massive heart attack and open heart surgery. We had fun visiting for the day and watching Juan and Ty "play" together. We had lots of family time, and enjoyed relaxing, playing and having a little time away from home.

Ty, Juan, and Nate

Ty and his aunt Kara and aunt Kelsi
Ty and I on the merry-go-round at the parkOn the train ride

They also had a petting farm at the park. Ty thought it was hilarious when the goats would wag their tails.

We headed home early Monday morning, and thankfully we made it back in the normal 4 1/2 hours (after stopping at the outlet malls :)) We got home and it was a beautiful day so it was play time!

Ty checking out his new sprinkler

Ty loves playing with the hose!He loved getting Maggie.....

and himself :)