Time To Catch Up....

This is my dear friend, Lynne - We went for manicures (at "Smooch" in Holland) - for her birthday. Girls! It's a fun place - we should all go! In this pic, we're having dinner at Alpen Rose - that brought back wonderful memories for both of us, as our Rachel and her Katie both had their wedding receptions there within three weeks of each other!

How's everyone? Summer is flying by - I've been negligent in posting lately, so really can't even remember what I've told you recently. A couple of weeks ago I had a bridal shower at our house for my niece Megan, who is getting married in a couple of weeks. (Ahhhh, I think a few of you heard the stories about that one....) Anyway, it turned out really well, and Megan seemed pleased. Below are a couple of pictures.

Last weekend we were in Chicago for an art fair in Oak Park (Dave's hometown), while he was actually up north with some of his friends at a cottage. So it was us and the girls - as "per normal" we totally enjoyed the weekend and spending some time with them. Scott sold one of his original paintings (the one he called "Cottage Row" - based on a picture he had taken when we were at cousin Dave & Mary's cottage for one of our Nykerk reunions). So that was very nice! Speaking of Dave, he is in town again - he called me last night and is going to try to arrange another get together at the cottage for a week night sometime in the next couple of weeks. I think they have use of the cottage until the end of August. So stay tuned on that one....

He is interested in having Scott paint a picture of their cottage, so we'll see how that goes.

When we were in Chicago we were delighted to see Katie's new apartment! The Katie Kat has done well for herself - her place is beautiful! She is now in the process of decorating, unpacking, etc. Scott left for home on Sunday morning (we took two vehicles), and Rachel had work to do, so Katie and I had a fun day together going to IKEA to pick up a few things for her apartment. She called me later that night to let me know that she had already put together a red metal stand that we bought for her kitchen. Carol - she called to get your address last night and will be mailing you a key to her apartment in the next day or two (Carol will be spending the night there when she arrives in Chicago in Sept - meanwhile, we'll all be in Holland at Megan's wedding).

We've been lucky lately to see the kids quite a lot. In fact, the girls and Ally are driving home tonight because they are both standing up for Jamie (remember her as one of Rachel's bridesmaids?) at her wedding this weekend. It's in Ludington, but they'll be spending the night here tonight and driving up there tomorrow (and Dave will join them on Saturday).

OK, that's enough for now. I'm thinking of all of you - REALLY looking forward to our trip up North!

See below for a few pics of "this and that" from the last few weeks.....(I CAN'T believe I forgot to take pics of Katie's new apartment! Kate - you'll have to post some...)

At the bridal shower - Megan and her mom, Shelley (Scott's sister)

My sister-in-law, Julie, her daughter Amanda, Megan and Me

A couple of pics from the Block Party at First Church - look at these beauties!

Look at this little doll. She's saying, "where's all the candy?" (Cool shoes, Mace!)

How about this get-up that we saw at Art in the Park? Check out the doggies and their matching sweaters. Ha Ha.