Lake Charlevoix

Luke and Lindsay drove up on Sunday to hang out at Lake Charlevoix with us. For the past 5 years Joel's parents have taken all of us out floating on their boat... but we keep having babies so Tom is probably going to have to buy a bigger one soon. Just kidding Tom, just kidding... depending on your reaction. haha.

Ruby and Isla were loving the boat ride.

This is Ryan's paradise. He loves that the shorelines of Lake Charlevoix are covered in trees and beaches and not completely covered in houses.

Luke and Lindsay's baby #2 is due this week. Lindsay should be on the cover of some magazine about being pregnant and looking good.

And of course, the classic group shot on the back of the boat.

Boyne City

We spent the weekend up in Northern Michigan with our friends Joel and Sarah from Hope College. On Saturday morning we woke up, packed up the kids in their strollers/backpacks and walked downtown Boyne City to the farmers market.

Here are some pictures of Jamus and Ruby. Jamus is 9 months, Ruby is 13 months... but they're just about the same weight. Ruby is almost 19.5 pounds... almost. Jamus is a hoss. He is rambunctious. Ruby never seemed so dainty and girly as she did while she and Jamus played together.

Sarah (she's a really good cook) made a ridiculous meal with all the food from the farmers market. The difference between a carrot from the grocery and a carrot from a local farmer is incredible. Also incredible, the difference between Sarah cooking dinner and me trying to do so.

The next morning Ryan and I hiked up this mountain for the view of Lake Charlevoix. Ryan carried Ruby on his back the whole time. I reminded him of this yesterday when he asked me why his calves were so sore.

Thank you Internet

for geeks like me

Holland 100

Inspired by 2 weeks continuously watching Le Tour de France and Lance Armstrong commercials, all 4 men of the Cox family (dad and three sons) embarked on a 100-mile bike ride today.

They were fueled by GU and a passion for the wind in their bibs. They were incredible, they helped one another, and they all crossed the finish line together. 100 MILES! THAT'S REALLY FAR!

Momo, Sarah, Amanda, Ruby and I were there to cheer them through the somewhat ambiguous finish line... If I were in charge (which I'm not) there would be fanfare, streamers, huge waving flags and a gigantic finish line banner for the finish. I guess this parking lot was okay too.

So proud of our boys.

who needs products when you've got lunch!

Hairdo compliments of applesauce and chicken noodle goo from lunch - for flexible hold and manageability.

Bethany Beach

Yesterday Ruby and I spent the day with some of our dearest friends at Bethany Beach. We considered rescheduling since it was going to thunderstorm all day - but it turned out to be one of the most beautiful days ever! It never sprinkled and the sky was blue all day!

Ruby loved watching Cash, Parker and Luke running around in the water. She pretty much just ate sand (as usual) and played with the shovel and bucket.

Bree, Kim, Heidi and I get all the kids together for playgroups every week... and we enjoy the time together as well. I am so thankful for their friendships! Watching them as moms helps me to be a better mom.

Saltine Cell Phone

Ruby loves cell phones... she says, "Hello? Hello?" In this case, she used a saltine cracker.

Camp Adventure

I got to spend the last couple of days at one of my favorite, most special places on the planet... CAMP ADVENTURE!! My dad is celebrating his 40th consecutive year as a counselor or director - and he was here as a camper for many years before that! INCREDIBLE!

As I've mentioned before, our family spent a week every summer together at camp... dad was the director, mom served as the camp nurse, and Aaron, Angela and I would run around catching frogs, swimming in the pool and falling off the rope bridge. Here's a family pic from back when dad enjoyed wearing snazzy white pants.

This was the 2nd week this summer that Granger's Student Ministry has been here, and since John is one of the directors, Angela and Lydia have been here for 2 weeks as well! When Ruby and Lydia are together they can't take their eyes off one another. Maybe someday they will be campers together!

I can't explain the many ways that this place has shaped me into the woman I am today. As a child for 11 years, I wanted to grow up to be like the campers I saw here. As a middle-school camper for 4 years I wanted to grow up to love Jesus the way I saw the counselors here love Jesus. As a counselor for 8 years I wanted to grow up serving Jesus every day, the way I watched my mom and dad giving everything they had to Christ and His Kingdom daily. This place will always hold a special place in my heart. I am thankful for the years that I've been able to come here to deepen my relationship with Jesus. I'm thankful for the 36 hours I was able to spend here this week. I am inspired to go home and be the kind of mom who inspires her daughter to live for Jesus.

Kudos to John, DC, Jeff and the teams of counselors and helpers who gave these two weeks of their summer to serve Christ by loving on some middle-school campers! Awesome, awesome, awesome!

Happy Birthday America

Had an ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL time at the lake over the weekend. Ryan and I celebrated 6 years of marriage as well as the birthday of America! The weather could not have been better. It was blazing hot like the surface of the sun, so we spent most of our time in the water and on the boat. My favorite two places to be.

We wore Ruby out with all the fun and festivities.

Ryan and the boys did a lot of grilling, the rest of us cheered them on then ate the food. Ryan is on a hickory kick lately - so the smoke you see surrounding Chris in that picture is from the hickory chips on the coals, SMELLED SO GOOD!!

We ended the evening on Saturday with a bonfire made from Ash wood - since the terrible Ash disease took out three huge ash trees on the property this winter. It does burn well, but that's the only good thing about the situation.

Chris brought his girlfriend Amanda along and we had such fun hanging out with her and getting to know her better. She's really great. I like her.

And of course, took lots of pictures with Ruby and various family members.