Sum- Sum- Summertime

Whew! We've been busy!!! Brad took the high school students to Shiprock, NM for a service project they coordinated with Bethel CRC for 10 days. Peter, Cora and I joined them for a few days, but cut the time short when I learned that my Grandma Schippers had passed away. (Picture of Cora and Donald painting together.)
(Peter and Liam entertaining each other.)
Cora, Peter and I drove back and I dropped Cora off with Mom and Dad Bierma. Peter and I left early the next morning to fly to MI. We arrived in time to go to the visitation time and the memorial service for Grandma was the next day. It was so wonderful to be there to remember her life with my uncles, aunts and cousins, and to say good-bye to her. She is a treasure of a woman. Gentleness, patience and kindness characterize her life. (Picture of Dad S. with Peter)

A visit to Holland just wouldn't be complete without a trip out to see Lake Michigan and take pictures with Big Red! But, BRRRR, it was windy and cold so we didn't stay long!

Peter and I flew home on Monday, did a few loads of laundry and on Wednesday went camping at Ridgway State Park. Peter's first camping trip! He did great, except for the first night. But Brad and I always plan on the first night sleeping in a new place to be pretty rough. This time was no exception! The other two nights were great and the fun during the day makes up for nighttime struggles. (Peter trying to crawl!)
Cora is still a great little camper. She even cried when we left on Saturday and said she didn't want to go home! I think it really helped that we had friends join us the last two nights and she had playmates to keep her busy.
Brad made delicious dinner and dessert in the Dutch Oven one night. (Cherry/Berry Dump Cake)

Brad's Father's Day desire was to drive a new highway so we went over McClure Pass and visited the town of Marble. It was a beautiful drive, of course - this IS Colorado! :) (The marble quarry where the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington D.C. was quarried. Some of the white you see is not snow - it's the marble!)
Daddy and kids next to marble pillar from the old marble mill.
Cora and I on a huge block of marble. So now we're home and finally caught up on laundry, we have fresh food in the fridge and the house is clean again - well, as clean as can be expected with a dog, two kids and summer fun trekking in and out all day! Our next adventure is just around the corner...