Ludington

This Saturday, Jack and I took our annual trip to Ludington. We wanted to see the great Michigan fall colors, but the color was not there. Every year, we always took the family (or part of them) and went to the dam and watched the salmon fishermen and then took a walk on one of the trails. The day was a cool fall day and the most of the people on the trail were with their dogs. After walking the trail, we went into Ludington and did some shopping after eating lunch at the Sportsman Irish Pub. I think the fall colors are more beautiful right here in Grand Rapids.

Wine tasting with the Snoeyinks!

Well, I still don't have a camera. I brought my little cheapy camera with us to take some pictures of the great adventure of wine tasting in Fenn Valley, South Haven, Coloma. The camera was doing weird things and the pictures all came out very blurry. We had a nice day (actually it was hot - 85). So it was nice to get into our air-conditioned car and the wineries. We had a great lunch in South Haven (burgers and rum-runners)! Our favorite place to eat in South Haven was already closed for the season. The colors are changing and everything is so green yet, but we are prepared for some cooler temperatures later this week. I am sure that this will prepare us for our winter season (brrrr!)

Friends!

Last Saturday we went to Fallsburg Park with our friends Dave and Jan. It was a beautiful fall day and we spend part of the day checking out the craft booths (Jan and I). We went for a walk by Flat River and later went out to dinner at the Flat River Grill in Lowell. While we were at the park, someone stole my camera so I am very anxious to get a new one. The picture of Dave and Jan was taken at Emily's wedding this summer.

Calvin High School Friends

A group of friends that graduated from Calvin Chr. High School got together at Carol's house. We always have great food, sit by the fire, and laugh at stories that some of us tell with much detail! This year it was a small group - Irene, Carol, Carole, Jack, Jim, Gary, Rog, John and Cindy. It was a beautiful night! Next year, we hope for a bigger crowd. Thanks to Carol and Ken who always open their home and great yard for the group.

Labor Day Weekend!

Jack and I spent Labor Day weekend at Koeze's cottage. They were both busy this weekend and offered the cottage for us to use. It was a beautiful weekend! We had sunny, sunny weather -- we could lay in the sun for hours. We spent alot of time having a fire in the fire pit on their patio. We walked everyday to the beach and then walked to the beach to enjoy the beautiful sunsets. I go just a little crazy when taking pictures of sunsets - I hope you enjoy them. Thank you Pam and Tim for letting us use your cottage - it was a great time away.

Friends since High School

Every year around this time, Irene, Julie and I go out for dinner to celebrate Irene and Julie's birthdays. This year we went out to Holland and ate at the Ottawa Beach Inn. After dinner, we gave each other our birthday gifts and always end up laughing so hard. This year Irene and Julie were trying to pose like the card Irene gave Julie. This is probably one of many shots, because they were laughing so hard. The other picture shows us on the pier at Holland with a terrific sunset in the background!

Friends in Portland

A couple of times each year, Pam, Patti, sometimes Liz, and I meet at a cajun restaurant in Portland, Michigan. Patti lives in Lansing so this is a half-way point for us to get together and renew our friendship. This time, Liz couldn't make it. We ate outside right by the river, it was a beautiful night and after we ate a bite, we went for a walk around Portland. It is always wonderful to meet and talk, laugh, and enjoy each others company.