Five Months

Little girl - making you smile is not hard for mommy. 

It's more like, you making me smile!

Leanne at Five months

-Sat up since 4.5 months old

-Has two teeth that are incredibly sharp

-Seems to know her own name

Katy jumped in for a quick shot

The last time these dresses were used - it was Katelyn and Laura... :) Now it's Laura and Leanne - (and Katy just outgrew a bigger one that I had found at a thrift store)

Heart-melters. 

VBS 2016

Our annual VBS began! It was done in a different format this year to make it simpler and more kid focused. We did workshops - like baking, two levels of art, soccer, a lawn game class (making a cornhole throwing thingy out of wood) rocket ship launching, bucket drumming, guitars, and a gym games time for the kids. It turned out well, and the kids enjoyed it. 

I "taught" the art class for 8-12 year olds - assisted by Kirsten. 

Imagine that - a girl who can barely draw stick figures... haha - but we made it simple and the girls (cause I had 5 girls) enjoyed it. They were all really nice and sharing girls. 

Shane speaking. 

Krissy and Micah - their baking class was a huge success - and a lot of kids really wanted to do that one. 

Our display table at the last night - showing off our art - decorated frames, painted canvas, painted mugs, and t-shirt tote bags. 

On the last night, we had a slide show for the parents to show what we all did during the week - along singing the songs that Rachel and Shantel taught, and then hearing from the guitarist, bucket drummers, seeing the art/projects outside, and tasting the baked goods from the bakery class. During the presentation Shane spoke again. 

Then a quick - dusk time - photo shoot of our very own Chapel Captain America's. :) 

During clean up time - Laura was playing with the bucket drums. 

Family Grand River Cruise

For Mom and Dad Heikoop's birthday, anniversary and Fathers/Mother's day gifts - all of the children/spouses went on our local river dinner cruise. We had a great meal, and went up and down the river for a few hours. No kiddo's, other than Leanne and Avelyn. 

It was incredibly hot, so James was cooling off little Leanne. 

Getting a group shot on a smallish space. :) 

And yes, that's William "throwing" my baby overboard. :) 

The three very beautiful pregnant ladies. 

Mom and Dad

And of course, because all the family must love it when I take out my camera -the faces begin - whether's its intentional or not. 

Having one of the last brotherly conversations before Mark and Jennelle leave for the states..

Just playing around in the dark...

Coming to dock - this is of another cruise boat already there. 

Swim Time

Diane has a very sharing older neighbor that has let her family and her friends/family use it this summer. So, we've joined her a couple times to cool down during this very hot hot hot summer. 

Amy and Laura have really gotten to love the water - and jump right in - even off a diving board. Makes me so happy. 

You see the blue faces? That's a blue cast from the pool.... :) 

Hudson doing a flip. 

And this random -but sweet- picture of Erik's eyelashes - I got a macro lens - and have been having a great amount of fun with it. :) 

Three Girl's in White and Denim

I had these almost matching outfits -so I tried to take a few shots before heading to the library when Amber T. was at our place. :) (because going to the library with five alone is not quite as simple...) :)

Laura's face - so cute. And Amy's hair elastic "bracelet" - she wears them EVERY day - and if I'm wearing a colored one in my hair, she asks for it.

I can totally picture her being the hemp bracelet wearing, sporty sunglass, hiking girl.. :) 

Amy has this natural posing charm that makes me laugh. 

And the threesome. 

Kisses for baby sister