Bacheloring it up

Aaron and the boys have been bacheloring it up all week before the wedding. Tuesday night Aaron took Ryan, John and Robbie to the Orlando Magic/Philadelphia 76ers playoff game.

Wednesday Dad took Aaron, John, Ryan and Josh to Wekiwa Springs for some canoeing/fishing...which turned out to be more of a canoeing trip and less of a fishing one.

Thursday John, Ryan and Dad painted Aaron's new house where he a Tracy will move in after the honeymoon.

Friday night after the rehearsal dinner all the guys had poker night and today (Saturday) they all went target shooting.

I can't wait to get home from vacation so I can see my hubby! haha.

Summit Church Beach Baptism

We've been having a blast since we landed. Aunt Becky picked up Ryan and I at the airport on Sunday afternoon and the three of us headed out to the beach for Summit Church beach baptism. My cousin Isaac is the pastor - and he has an INCEDIBLE church. Aaron and Tracy are both on staff there - and it was so fun for me to get to see Aaron in action, serving Jesus and serving the people at Summit. Aaron pretty much coordinated the whole event - almost 1,000 people attended, 84 were baptised and Ryan and I got to be there to celebrate with them.

We love seeing all the Hunters. Isaac and Rhonda and their kids Jada, Ella and Lincoln. Josh and Lisa and their kids Noah and Ava, Joel and Lizzy were there and of course Aunt Becky. We all sat in lawn chairs listening to Isaac preach as the sun came down.

What a great start to our vacation! Here's a picture of My cousin Joel telling Ryan and I stories about opthalmology. If you ever need Lasik, Joel's your man.

Growling Babies

We are having such a great time in Florida. A bunch of my cousins and their families live down here - so last night we went mini-golfing with them. Ava was really amazed by my belly. She kept listening and telling me she could hear my baby growling in there.

Family

Ryan and I have incredible families! A few weeks ago Ryan's mom and dad moved to town and we've had such a great time "doing life" with them. It wasn't quite as easy to do life together when they lived in New York! We're so blessed to have them here. Ryan and his dad got up this morning and headed out to White Pine Trail for a bike ride. I love that they can spend time together.

Today we are packing our suitcases in preparation to fly to Florida for my brother Aaron's wedding...and we're sneaking in a little Beeson Family Vaca the week before. I cherish the time I get to spend with my family...I'm so excited for this week!

It's days like this that I am reminded again how incredibly fortunate I am to be surrounded by the people I am surrounded by. The faithfulness of generations have impacted my life today. I have an incredible husband who brings with him a whole brigade of incredible family members and friends. I have incredible parents, siblings and friends...and I have an incredible little baby who will grow up to be an incredible little person growing (rapidly) in my belly! I am so thankful.

Have you heard the chorus of the Sara Groves song "Generations"?

Remind me of this with every decision
Generations will reap what I sow
I can pass on a curse or a blessing
To those I will never know

To my great, great, great grand daughter
Live in peace
To my
great, great, great grand son
Live in peace
To my great, great, great
grand daughter
Live in peace
To my great, great, great grand son
Live in peace, live in peace

Remind me of this with every decision
Generations will reap what I sow
I can pass on a curse or a blessing
To those I will never know

Showered with Friends

Last weekend Bryan and Michelle and Aaron, Ashlee and Hannah came to our house for a visit. It was so so fun to have them here. The boys took a little 40 mile bike ride while the ladies came with me for some shopping at Nordstrom's Rack and then to a baby shower Ryan's mom threw me. It was so fun to see a bunch of my girlfriends from Hope and from Chicago and from Grand Rapids all in one room!

Bryan, Aaron and Ryan were quite the trio when we all lived on the same block in Chicago. They would all run and bike together pretty much every chance they got, so Saturday was a blast for them. You have to hear Aaron tell the story on his blog. Apparently at the 20 mile marker when they turned around and realized the wind had been at their back up to that point, they all got a little nervous about making it all the way back. Talk about pushing it to the limit! They couldn't even make it home to eat - they had to stop at Yesterdog to refuel with some hot dog deliciousness before they reached certain death.

It was such a fun weekend - we love you guys and miss you so much!! Come visit again soon!

Chris Cox Photographer

Ryan's brother Christopher has a new photography website! I love seeing the world through his eyes - he captures the uniqueness and makes it beautiful. His pictures tell a story.

Here are some of the pictures he's taken of Ryan and I over the last few years:

VERMONT

BRIDGES

You have to check out his new site and some of his pictures from the cross-country drive to California he took over spring break with some of his buddies from Hope College.

He'll be in the Grand Rapids/West Michigan area all summer...so click HERE to contact him for more info about booking a session.

Man Bib

It is a campaign for Australia's Solo soft drinks. Solo Beverage company aims to turn pasty, hairless boys into real men with their Solo Man Bibs. The Solo Man Bib hooks easily around the neck and gives men instant rub-worthy pecs, complete with chest hair and even a Solo gold necklace...

HT: ragamuffin soul

The Buzz Around Town

World's Largest Art Prize is happening in Grand Rapids...I'm kinda looking forward to checking out some of the submissions and casting my vote when they come to town!


The Prize (thank you Rick DeVos)

* 1st place: $250,000
* 2nd: $100,000
* 3rd: $50,000
* 4th: $7,000
* 5th: $7,000
* 6th: $7,000
* 7th: $7,000
* 8th: $7,000
* 9th: $7,000
* 10th: $7,000

Posers

My Dad tells great stories! You'll enjoy watching this one from the weekend services at Granger.


Posers from Granger Community on Vimeo.

Parenting Advice I Can Actually Succeed At!

I love Amy Poehler...and I love her parenting advice.

“Always remember your kid’s name. Always remember where you put your kid. Don’t let your kid drive until their feet can reach the pedals. Use the right size diapers…for yourself. And, when in doubt, make funny faces.”

Here's the article...seriously funny!