Girls on the Run and Cross Country

I think I have Commerce EL. to thank for my girls love of running. Since they were in Kindergarten, they have participated in Mileage Club during recess. It's really an awesome program. The kids compete twice a week for how many laps they can run. The girls love trying to win, and in the mean time, get lots of exercise.

They also brought Girls on the Run to the school this year. Twice a week, 3rd-5th graders stay after school, have a snack, talk about being strong women, encouraging each other, and then spend time running together on the track. It's an amazing program. And it ends with a 5K on Belle Isle. Allie had a lot of fun throughout the season, and her, Ava and I finished off the season by running together in the 5K.

Ava had the opportunity to run intramural cross country at Smart. They practiced three times a week and had 3-4 meets where they competed with other schools. Ava did a great job! Sixth grade runs the mile race, but they would practice 2 miles! It kept her in great shape!

Fall 2017

We had some beautiful days during the fall of 2017. Hannah found this gigantic frog in one of our window wells.

We spent a lot of time with Emilia! 

I stopped at Long's more times than I want to admit for donuts and cider slushes. Allie was in Girls on The Run this year, which was a running group that met after school, practicing for a 5K. And Ava was in Cross Country at the same time, so I would pick the girls up, and come here after!

We watch Zach run the Detroit Marathon!

And celebrated this guy's 37th birthday.

Fall always brings amazing sun rises!!

The girls' school pictures turned out great. 

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We took a day trip out to Holland to see Matt, Jake, and Emily at Hope University.

Halloween was a blast. The DeJonges had their annual pumpkin fest. 

We went to the Boyagian's neighborhood to trick-or-treat, which was amazing. Lots of house, and all pretty close together. Some of the houses were handing out drinks for the adults. The girls wanted to go in the neighborhood behind their house after, so they got even more candy. And we stopped at Mike's parents on the way home.

Allie was a witch, Hannah a cat, and Ava was Hermione.

This was during the day in the class that I was a para in. I was Darth Vader! It was a fun day!

All three girls won for their classes in the Jump Rope for heart contest again this year. The Epley girls are some pretty darn good jump ropers.

  

We had Thanksgiving dinner at my mom's this year. And Kathy hosted for Mike's side. So we went to both houses for dinner. 

The Westerman's hosted their annual Bunko party right before Christmas. It was such a fun night and I actually won for the first time ever!

First day of school 2017

We have a middle schooler! Ava officially started sixth grade. Clifford Smart does something called Smart start. It's a week before school starts and kids can go in, get their schedules, find their lockers (and practice opening them, which can be pretty tricky with a new combination!), walk through their schedule and get accustomed to the surroundings. Ava and I went together in the morning and it really did help her to feel more prepared and less nervous about the first day of school!

Allie and Hannah were both excited to have two great teachers this year. Hannah has Mrs. Routledge and Allie has Mrs. Sparks. Ava's teachers are Coliani, Buller, Quinn-Haver, Gross, Singelyn, White and Venard.

I even have a job on the first day of school! I'm a long term sub for a first grader, as a one on one para. (This job was supposed to be two months, but ended up going until the second week in December!).

Summer 2017

June marked the last day of elementary school for Ava! Amazing how fast time flies. I worked at Commerce as a para so it was fun to celebrate the last day of school with my girls. We love summer!

At Commerce, the fifth graders are celebrated with a clap-out. Everyone piles into the hall and claps as the fifth graders walk through, then they are met by their parents outside the building. It's a fun day!

We love our teachers this year! Hannah and Mrs Keller.

Ava and Mrs. Loughlin

Allie and Mrs. Weems.

After school, the Karbels invited us over for a last day of school party! The girls had a blast swimming and hanging out with friends.

It also happened to be my mom's birthday AND free smoothie day at Tropical Smoothie. What a great way to start off the summer!

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June was a busy month with Creative Arts camp. And then at the end of June, we went with the Boyagian's to Ohio for a short trip. We hiked at Ledges State Park and saw beautiful waterfalls in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. We really enjoyed our time with them!

For the past couple of years, we have hosted a fourth of July party. Every year, it's gotten progressively larger. This year was no exception. We counted over 80 people at one time or another! It was a beautiful, hot day. We grilled burgers and hot dogs and everyone brought a dish to share! We have a wonderful time.

In August, our family went back to UPBC for Day camp for the second year in a row. We love being a part of this trip. It's so fun and encouraging to live alongside a community of believers for an entire week. Day Camp went really well and we had more campers than we have ever had. Mike was a shepherd and I was a teacher. The girls really loved being a part of camp. And we are looking forward to returning again in 2018.

We caravaned with the Whitteds on the way up. We stopped at a famous burger place just over the bridge. Mike enjoyed this 1 pound hamburger.

We stopped at Pictured Rocks and swam at the beach for a little while.

At the beginning of the week, we took time praying for camp and all the kids who would be involved. Each of the lanterns represented a child who was signed up for camp.

Our whole team took a trip up to Lake Superior to eat dinner on the beach, celebrate two baptisms, and swim in the freezing cold water!

It was a fantastic week and we feel so fortunate to have this opportunity!