Douwe is 5

Our son turned 5 the same day that Jeff turned 40, so we had two special birthdays to celebrate on the same weekend.   Douwe's been enthusiastic for mini-golf ever since his aunts and grandma took him mini-golfing for the first time last month.   He wanted a mini-golf birthday celebration and that is what we did.  A great time was had by all four of the boys.

Jeff turns 40

Jeff wanted a very special celebration for his milestone birthday and special is what he got!

 He reserved a special table in The Library Room upstairs of Topolobampo, which is adjacent to a special chef's kitchen.  We had an unforgettable dinner for 12, with several courses, each one as delightful as the next, and a visit from proprietors Deann and Rick!  They came bearing gifts for all (a new cookbook), and we think the special greeting had something to do with Deann's original last name:  Groen.   She is a first cousin to Jeff's father.   The whole evening was fun and festive.  

5 months

In May June and July, it was a whirlwind around the house with our special "son" living with us again. He didn't stay as long as in other years but we were glad to host him while we could.

Highlights:  lots of fishing, a few Boy Scout events, canoe trip, beach visits, art lessons, golf lessons, sibling visits. . . it was a whirlwind, so very little blogging for me.

In August, we spend the first 10 days on a great trip in Wyoming and Idaho, camping, resorting and canoeing.

Then a week or so before back to school, for Jess and Douwe!  Douwe is back at Montessori for morning pre-K classes, and I am taking a Literature class at Purdue University.  So it has been a fun transition into fall, but also, very little time taken for blogging.  

But I cannot omit a very special event, which I will post next.