Zeeland Zoom 5K



My second 5K run is in the books.

It was not a walk-free run, for me, but I improved my PR by three minutes.

Pre-Race with all my running buds.

Bestie, Sister & I - pre-race

My results. I also improved my per mile average by about 45 seconds.

Post-race with Sister & Bitty
Britt and I hung together the entire run, and Ms. "I never run, I'm gonna die" beat us by an entire 7 minutes.
Great run, Sister! I am so proud [and jealous] of you!! :)



the first 1200 finishers got a medal. i felt special, even though i really wasn't.

&& this little dude thought i was WAY cool. :)



&& then there are these two women.

They are both amazing women, mothers, and friends to me.

They also push me to become a better person in many ways, and one of them is in my run training.

Thank you, Meg & Sair, for always pushing me, encouraging me, and helping me to continue to improve and have fun doing something I love. I am so blessed by you both!

Strawberries.

We picked some strawberries last week.

and it was messy.

fun.

but messy.



the boys loved getting dirty, more than they loved picking berries.

suprise? no.

but we picked six quarts.

 

and then got some face painting done.

and sat on some tractors.

and took a hay wagon ride behind some horses.

it was a fun day with friends.

I had already made strawberry jam this year

 so i thought i would try making some strawberry jello from a recipe that i have that did not get rave reviews last time I made it.

{for harrisons first birthday}

 

It's a recipe that doesn't use sugar, or jello in a package

and therefore doesn't look and sure doesn't taste like typical jello that we are used to.

 

But in an effort to eat better,

and knowing berries were naturally sweeter than mangoes,

i thought I would give it one more shot.

 

It was a success!

So I thought I would share! :)

 

4 cups of liquid (puree your fruit, fresh or frozen with 2.5 cups water, 1/4 cup raw honey +/-)

4 TBS gelatin

Pour 2 cups of liquid mixture in pot over stove on medium/low heat. Add gelatin and whisk until dissolved. DO NOT BRING TO BOIL. Cool and stir in remaining 2 cups of liquid. Pour into 9x13 pan and refrigerate.

 

Again, this will not look like typical jello. it will be more foamy and frothy.

and it gels more foamy too.

but it makes a refreshing, low sugar snack!

perfect for summer!!

enjoy!

{weekend/rewind}

another gorgeous busy weekend is gone!

I just know summer is gonna be over before too much longer!

*tear*

 

friday we spent all day outside, and enjoyed some time with friends.

Saturday we headed down the street to our "newish" neighbor friends and helped celebrate their son, Eddie's, 4th birthday! Bentley had an absolute blast.

We came home and did naps, and I snuck out to the beach to spend the day with some cousins - mom's day out!

we, well mostly me, got sunburned, and then got ready for dinner and enjoyed some dinner outdoors, without kids. seriously, so relaxing!

I had a great time with everyone - so blessed to have such wonderful cousins!

We got up Sunday morning and headed up to twin lake, near muskegon, to walk a 5K for MS.

It was a fundraiser event that is near and dear to the heart of our babysitter, Miss Casey, so we went to support and participate. The boys had fun, and my husband completed his first 5K. :)

Then we packed up and headed out on the boat.

"does this life jacket make my cheeks look big?"

that wore the troops right out.

we relaxed sunday night and home and woke up this morning to a new week, feeling refreshed -- and in my case, still sunburned. :S

Hope everyone had a great weekend, and enjoys a wonderful warm week as well!

 

Grandma's 80th Birthday Party

My Grandma turned 80 in March, but since she winters in Florida, we waited until June to celebrate with the extended family.

Mostly because the grandkids (us) and the great grandkids (our kids) wanted to celebrate her since we couldn't in March, and like who doesn't want a good excused to enjoy some birthday cake.

 

And she is totally worth celebrating. She is seriously the best.

 {{and you can ask her, I am the favorite}}

 

Anyway - my sister mom and I decided to make what we could for decor, because we love to do that stuff, and Pinterest makes it so easy. Her birth era (the 30s) also made it super fun since some of the colors and trends are starting to come back into our fashion right now!

 

We went with lace, burlap and mint color for our accent.

We painted the insides of mason jars and decorated the tables with the fabrics. Simple and stunning - I loved how it turned out!

We hung her banner from her "real" party - along with making a gift table.

Did you know all these events took place during 1933? Did you also know (and can you even believe) that gas was TEN CENTS a gallon?? TEN CENTS! seriously! The hot car back then cost $445 (the plymouth six). I had a blast looking back at old history and pricing!

Grandma has ALL great grandSONS. Seven to be exact. Crazy, huh?

baby soy.

this water was freezing. and these boys did.not.care.one.bit.

Grandma and some of her partners in crime.

if thats what you call them at eighty. ;)

We laughed, fellowshiped and celebrated our favorite lady.

It was a great night.

 

[[I love you tons, Gram.

You are the peanut butter to my jelly - always have been, always will be.

You hold a very special place in my heart.

Can't wait to celebrate you for many many many more years to come!

xoxox]]

 

while we were all together we had Julie come take some pictures:

here is the link to some sneak peeks.

 

Pentwater Boat Trip 2013

This past weekend we ventured off on our first boat "trip". I use the word trip loosely because we didn't travel by water to our destination, we traveled by land to the water we wanted. My anxiety is holding me back from taking a boat trip by water just yet - I can't imagine getting stuck in rough seas with two babes. Maybe when they get older...

 

Anyway, we have some really busy weekends coming up so we thought we would take our last free weekend for a while and go up to Pentwater. We love this town!

So much cool history, great eating, and some great shopping too!

we love 'cenzo's market! {im a sucker for one of a kind grocery/market type stores.}

 

We walked alot, but We also relaxed.

A lot. More.

The boys were so good and so content playing on the boat.

Per a recommendation from the Sluiters, we had dinner at Antler Bar.

Seriously, best food we have had in a long time. Amazing service too.

so amazing in fact, we went back the next day for lunch!

Thanks for the recommendation, guys! :)

 

The boys also loved spending time with Auntie and Uncle they don't see near enough. Bentley was soaking up all the tickles and attention!!!

pure beauty.

pure michigan.

Bedtime was a bit of a tricky feat, but after a few movies, and some tears, they were both asleep by 9:30. Last year we spent two nights on the boat, but Harrison was easily containable to his bouncy seat, and would pass out almost instantly after a bottle.

This year, being on the move, was not so much the case. Thankfully my husband is the most patient man on the face of the earth and helped us to just relax...until the boys fell asleep! :)

I was sure it was going to be a long night, so I made every effort to ensure we weren't up with the sun. {what time is that, even?}

Harrison was up three times, but Bentley wasn't up at all. They both slept until 8 am - they even slept through a thunder storm!

So cozy all snuggled up together in the boat when it's raining!

Sunday we had lunch with Brandon's family before heading home.

We had a great weekend together as a family and look forward to many more weekends and "trips" on the boat. :)

Happy Father's Day, Daddy!

We are so blessed you and all you do for us; we could not be more thankful!

We love you SO much!!

 

Gods Plan

Today would have been my due date of our third child.

but God had other plans for us.

 

Its so bittersweet for me today, wondering what he/she would have looked like, smelled like, sounded like when they cried...

wondering if this third child would follow suit and look just as much like daddy as his/her brothers did when they were first born.

Wondering if we would be blessed with yet another angel babe, who made the first weeks so easy it almost wasn't right. Or was this babe going to get us back for how easy his/her brothers were? We will never know, but I am okay with that.

 

I find so much comfort in the fact that God has a grander plan for our family.

And I take even more comfort in knowing that this precious little babe we have yet to meet is having the time of his/her life, living to the fullest in Heaven.

 

Jesus,
kiss my sweet baby for me today...snuggle him or her extra tight.

Please share our love for them, with them,

and let them know we look forward to the day we meet again.

www.origamiowl.com/dviening

With Love,

Dad & Mom

Big brothers Bentley & Harrison

Giraffes, Zebras and a Bear -- OH MY!

Last week we loaded up and went down to Binder Park Zoo.

the boys got to feed some animals, and even go in their pens and touch them.

Bentley. The Bear.

with the fiercest rawwwwwwr you ever did hear!

Harrison took his first carousel ride, not on a bench. :)

&& We took a tram to Africa where we had some more fun adventures!

feeding lettuce to the giraffes - he was laughing out loud, hysterically, the entire time.

Harrison was not quite as excited...

{are the giraffes tongues just disgusting, or what?}

Zebras are GORGEOUS in real life!

mommy and baby giraffe.

Perfect day together as a family! We are so blessed!

Friday we met some friends for a play date at the beach.

the boys never pass up a chance to spend the morning in the sand!

we enjoyed lunch too - pb&j with a side of sand.

we walked the pier and watched the dredge - my boys were in heaven!

We are loving this gorgeous weather and being able to indulge in all the fun of summer!