Elbow Lake Lodge 2009: "Beckering Family Vacation"

The Family Picture...not too bad for 8 kids and 8 adults

Nathan is not so into picture taking

Mom and Dad

Darin, Tricia, Brayden, and Breanna

Dan, Laura, Bennett, Caleb, Kylie, and Avery

Family picture with the lodge in the background

One night we had a water balloon toss and the little kids had fun popping their balloons

What a little man

Three of the four girl cousins playing in the sand

On a boat ride to check out the rest of Elbow Lake

Look at that cute body

Grandma on baby duty

Ella is quite the lover...giving Breanna a hug

Nathan has taken attachment to his blanket and sucking on his lower lip

Ella is stealilng the show

"hamming" it up for the camera

We decided to do a "cousin" birthday party to celebrate everyone's birthday. We had cake and lots of gifts.

The other boat that went out for a ride

This picture makes Tim look short

Plying together in the water

Look at Ella's cool sunglasses

Nathan is ready to go surfing

It was a little cold in at the beginning of the trip, but that didn't stop us from getting on the beach

Look at Avery's classic way to suck on her fingers. It is so cute now, but not for long right Laura!

Nathan and Ella got camp chairs for their birthday presents

This is Nathan and neigbor Bennet checking out the truck before we packed it up for our move

How much is that baby in the window?

Nathan and Ella in the back of G. Beckeirng truck ready to head up to Elbow Lake

Nathan loves his blankie

Taken on Father's Day. Love you Daddy!

Grandma came and stayed with us for 2 weeks to help with the move. Here she is entertaining Ella and Nathan by painting their toe nails

Saying goodbye to my Brees Way neighbors. Oh... I will miss them

I couldn't resist!!!!!!

Our First Time at the Zoo and more

Nathan and Ella having a loving moment

Waiting patiently for lunch

Can you say "cheesy" smile

Nathan having some crackers after a hard play outside

Ella cashed out early for her nap on Daddy

Precious

Nathan snooping some whip cream

Ella and Nathan checking out the bear

Nathan was not afraid at all to touch the goats

Someone loves being outside

"all aboard"

Nathan and Malachi

"Giddy up"

All the cousins loving the Zoo

Feeding the ducks

A baby shower for my friend Annette

Great friends.. Becca, me, and Annette

This past Monday, I took the twins to the Zoo with Aunt Jessica and cousins Malachi and Sam. We had a great time. The weather was perfect and the twins did so good just being in the stroller looking at all the animals and people. They really like being able to pet the goats. We had a little picnic afterwards and the babies took a great nap.  I helped host a baby shower for one of my girlfriends from out small group. It was so much fun getting ready for the shower and hanging out and catching up with Becca and Annette.  Ella and Nathan love the outdoors and I love it too.  We go outside as much as we can. We take walks, play on our toy scooters, and playing with our neighbors.

Some exciting updates

We sold our house!!!!!!!! It is still surreal to us. It happened last weekend. We had a couple come through the house on Friday. They made an offer on Saturday, we counter-offered on Saturday night and they accepted on Sunday afternoon. Yes....that is how fast it happened. I will be honest to say that I was not really prepared to move from my house or my neighborhood. We have wonderful neighbors, including one of them who is our babysitter. We like our house and with Tim being somewhat out of commission, we were prepared and okay with being here for the summer. We are again reminded that God is in control and His timing is best. So, "now what?" you might ask. We have decided to rent for awhile. We are totally sure where we want to live (some of that depends on where Tim finds a more permanent job) or where we will find a house we like. We know the general area, but thought it would be a bit too much to figure that all out in 5 weeks (we have to be out by June 22). One of my co-workers is moving away for a year and they were looking for someone to rent out their house for a year. We took a look at it and decided it would be a perfect fit for us and for them. We will be living in Georgetown Forest (in Hudsonville). We are excited for this new transition in our lives. We covet your prayers and we get things packed up and pray the twins will transition okay.

As for other updates. Last Saturday, I ran a 10K in downtown Grand Rapids. It felt good to get back into running. Unfortunately, it rained for most of the six mile run, but at least it was warm and there was no rain. It got me motivated to do more training, maybe a half marathon in the fall, but we'll see!
The twins are doing good. Still loving the outdoors. Not too many more words, but lots of gibberish. Nathan has an obsession with our vacuum and so I found a play vacuum on a garage sale and he follows me all over the house "vacuuming."