Grand Rapids (Holland and Grand Haven beach days too!) July 7th and 8th

We had a wonderful weekend visiting GR, Holland and Grand Haven in early July.  We played tour guides for our friends Dave and Lauren, and Kate and Dan.  

We all stayed at the JW Marriot in GR which was really nice.  We headed to Holland on Saturday, complete with a stop at New Holland Brewery and the State Park.  

We headed back to GR and enjoyed dinner at San Chez Bistro, and drinks at Hop Cat (only water for this mama to be!!)

Baby Howe at 31 weeks, 3 days

The State Park in Holland

Sunrise in GR over the river

Sunday, we went for a walk around Reeds Lake in GR, complete with a stop at our old favorite Starbucks-  being in east GR brought back so many memories.  We enjoyed brunch at the Electric Cheetah (yum!) and then headed to Grand Haven to spend Sunday afternoon at the beach!

The pier in Grand Haven

The whole crew

Laura, Mike, Lauren, Dave, Kate, Dan

Can't wait for our next adventure with these 2 couples-- we have really enjoyed getting to know them so much better this last 1-2 years :) 

TC Baby Shower- July 14th

Loved the cute bunting flags: Welcome Baby Howe!!

Everything was pink and green and oh so cute :) 

Isabelle was excited to celebrate baby Howe!

Wonderful spread of yummy food!

Chinese lanterns in Lilly Pulitzer patterns-- everything was coordinated Lilly prints- so cute! 

Some of the girls catching up and eating on the porch...

Lib, Jenna and Mackenzie

Macare, Lib, Jenna, Mackenzie

Isabelle and Sophie

Only 6 more weeks til our little "half-pint" arrives :) 

Quinn is excited to meet baby Howe, and hopefully so is her new baby brother-  Welcome to the world baby Blaise, born on his due date- one week after this shower.  He and baby Howe should be about 6-7 weeks apart- hopefully they will be fast friends, just like their Mama's.  Congrats Macare, Dusty and Quinn....we can't wait to meet Blaise! 

Avery did a great job helping with the little girls as they helped bring me gifts to open.  

Everly

Even though we work at U of M-- our baby will be a sparty like his/her parents! 

Christine and Avery

The most wonderful hostesses and friends a girl could ask for--

Anna, Lindsay, me, Katie and Macare.

Thank you ladies, you mean the world to me.  I can't wait for Baby H to meet his/her aunties :) 

What a wonderful group of friends! 

 We were also blessed to have so many babies join in on the party, as well as many of the mom's of my dear friends (most of whom are like 2nd mothers to me from growing up), and some of my mother's dear friends too.  It was such a great group.  

There was no shortage of pregnant girls at this shower :) 

Baby Howe was 32 weeks, 3 days in these pictures! 

Baby Shower at Elk Lake- July 1st

Baby Shower on Elk Lake hosted by my lovely sister and lovely mother, with the help of Aunt Debbie and Aunt Marge.  

"What will it be??"

The Cottage

 The "how big is my mama" game

Dear childhood friend from the lake, Amy

Laura, Christine, Amy (and baby Grace), Laura

Kari and Daughter Annabelle- Kari used to babysit Christine and I when we were growing up!

Beautiful blanket

Sisters

Three generations-- waiting for the 4th to arrive :) 

Aunt Marge, Christine, me, Grandma, Mom, Aunt Debbie

Me and my lovely mom :) 

Younger versions of Mike and I :) 

Mike on a water ski- I can't wait until next summer so I can go too!

Baby Howe's 1st swim in Elk Lake

Family

We LOVE Elk Lake!

Thank you Mom, Christine, Deb and Marge for the wonderful shower!!