MICHIGAN!

Okay, bear with me, but I have a TON of pictures from our recent trip to MI (June 27 - July 5). We had a great time, as you'll see and well, I'll just let the pictures do the talking. :O)

1st up - running my first 5K in a LONG time! I had a great time with Lisa, Stacey, Jane and Kam running in the Reed's Lake (Grand Rapids, MI) run. What a great way to spend a Saturday morning with the girls!

Cousinly Love (I know, not a word, but kind of cute, right?)

Silly faces!

Our beauty

Thursday Night in Downtown Holland - getting a great dinner at 84 East and watching the street entertainers perform - here the girls are waiting patiently for their balloon animalsd

Yes, Ellie, he is your uncle and he'll be sticking around...crazy guy!

Two pink poodles coming up!

Ellie went against the crowd (well, the two big girls) and asked for a turtle. :o)

Luke got even crazier w/ a silly hat!

BEACH TIME!!! The weather didn't allow us too many days on the beach, but when we did get down there, we were sure to make the most of it!

Sammy boy is hard at work!

Our beautiful niece Taylor

Our handsome nephew Luke

Sam doesn't look too happy here, but trust me, he had a good time! :O)

He wasn't too keen on walking on the uneven sand, so crawled instead!

Ellie loved the beach, but was usually happy to

accompany someone to the house for her afternoon nap!

Ahhhh, hot sand to lay in...love it!

Cutie!

Don't they just look like they're going to be great buddies?!

The Giere Kiddos

Here's my attempt at being artistic w/ my photography...I think I'll frame this one. :O)

The new beach toy - found for a bargain at a garage sale!

Now he looks happy! (maybe it's b/c I actually let him take his hat off for a few minutes!)

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!

Back to the beach on the 4th...not sure what H is doing here, but I still like the pic.

I think Brian is telling the kids to get away and not splash him w/ the freezing cold water!

Luke looks COLD!

No trip to MI is complete without at least one gorgeous sunset.

This one was on the 4th and it was breathtaking.

S'more time!

My dear friend Lisa and her family came out to enjoy the neighbors fireworks...needless to say, we had to spread the kids out a bit w/ their sparklers!

Always a good time for a pose from H!

On Sunday, after watching the marathon Federer/Roddick Wimbledon match,

we celebrated my dad's birthday. Happy B-Day Dad!

End of a great vacation - we were all getting a bit goofy by then!

Sweet little Ellie who, decided once we were home on Monday, to start being a big girl and go potty on the potty!!!! YAY for Ellie! (I've been dreaming of this day for a while now!!!)

AND, one video that I just couldn't resist sharing. One morning (probably one of the 60 degree days!) the kids gathered around Grandma to sing some tunes. I just love this and am so thrilled to have it recorded forever....what a sweet, sweet sound, praising the name of Jesus!

Singing with Grandma from Sarah Giere on Vimeo.

Okay, if you've made it this far, thanks for sticking with me. We had a great time with my family and can't wait to do it all again in a few weeks!!! Hope you all had a wonderfully safe holiday as well!