School is officially out, and the Kladder kids wasted absolutely no time diving headfirst into summer. In just the first few days, they've already packed in swimming with friends, golf matches, bike rides to Jersey Junction for ice cream, slip-and-slide adventures, and have already managed to turn their winter white skin to some pretty impressive sunburn. After a long Michigan winter, seeing them soak up every minute of this glorious sunshine has been pretty wonderful. Sunburn aside.
Natalie wrapped up another fantastic school year and made us incredibly proud all year long. She finished with outstanding MAP test scores, performed beautifully in a singing duet during her Spring Choir Program, and continued showing dedication to both spring tennis and her weekly piano lessons. Looking ahead, she's especially excited for Camp Geneva in a few weeks, where she'll be attending alongside her friend and next-door neighbor, Vienna. We know she's counting down the days.
Thomas also finished the school year on a high note, closing out third grade with a week full of field trips, themed days, ice cream parties, and all the fun that comes with the last days of school. He is wrapping up the final stretch of Little League while balancing an ever growing energy for golf. This spring, he completed the Rising Stars 36 Program at Watermark and is preparing for his first summer competing in the Junior PGA. We are excited to watch him continue developing his game and, most importantly, having fun along the way.
Shout out to Miss Greenfield, Thomas’ 3rd grade teacher who rocked it this school year, and to our Southern volunteer baseball coaches. You guys are the world!
One of my favorite school experiences this spring was accompanying Thomas's class on their field trip to Michigan's State Capitol. The tour was led by a phenomenal docent whose knowledge of the building's history and architecture was truly impressive. I had attended the same trip with Natalie a couple of years ago, yet somehow managed to learn even more the second time around. It's a beautiful reminder of the history, craftsmanship, and civic pride that exists right here in our own state.
On the home renovation front, we're finally seeing the light at the end of the renovation tunnel. After spending two weeks out of the house while floors and paint were being finished, we are officially back in (most of) the full house and beginning to enjoy a few finished moments. There's still plenty left on the to-do list—kitchen countertops, a new driveway, most of the rec room, and countless finishing details—but we're getting so close. Every completed project makes the vision feel more real, and we cannot wait for the day when we can finally host again (and the time when we’re no longer doing dishes in our master bathtub).
A very special shout out to our neighbors and pals The Saxton Family for accommodating us during the two weeks we were out of our house during the floors and paint. Your generosity allowed us to maintain consistency with the kiddos during their last month of school and kept us close to the action back at the house. But most importantly, you left us inspired. Thank you for your friendship and for opening your home to us.
It's also been full-on event season around West Michigan. We attended the Vitality Gala benefiting the University of Michigan Health-West, where DJs Landscape Management was proud to be a sponsor. It was a wonderful evening supporting an important cause and connecting with so many familiar faces.
One of our favorite annual traditions, The Great Gardens Party benefiting Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, was another highlight. We attended on behalf of both Mercantile Bank and DJs Landscape Management and, as always, left inspired by the incredible support for such a treasured community asset.
One of the absolute highlights of the Great Gardens Party this year was getting a sneak peek of the new Chihuly exhibit. Hands down, it's the most impressive exhibit I've experienced at the Gardens to date. It completely took my breath away—and I promise that had nothing to do with the couple glasses of champagne I enjoyed before the tour. Every turn revealed another stunning piece, and I couldn't stop saying, "Wow." If you're looking for something to do this summer, be sure to check it out. It's truly spectacular.
Mother's Day was simple and perfect. We started the day at church and followed it up with nine holes of golf at Watermark. The kids and Jeff surprised me with a beautiful new beach cruiser bicycle, complete with an oversized basket. We already took it for a spin to the grocery store for ice cream - an easy excuse to ride bikes altogether. It has quickly become my new favorite summer accessory.
We also attended the YPO West Michigan year-end celebration at the new Acrisure Amphitheater - the coolest! Touring the venue behind the scenes was truly a unique experience, and the evening was topped off with an incredible seafood dinner, dancing, and, as always, great company.
Also in YPO news, Jeff and I traveled to Chicago for the Global Leadership Conference alongside several fellow West Michigan chapter members. While Jeff spent most of his time immersed in conference sessions, I joined the spouse program, which featured two jam-packed days of exploring the city, networking, and making new connections. We had an incredible time, and some of the highlights included a VIP tour of Wrigley Field, an amazing riverboat architecture tour, and several unique evening events celebrating the organization and its members. The conference concluded with an intimate solo performance by Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins, which was a pretty unforgettable way to end the week.
The office has been humming along this spring with a full schedule of luncheons, meetings, and community events. One highlight was a road trip to visit our new Eastern branch locations, which gave me another chance to connect with our newest team members face to face. The clear winning news at the office this month was Take Your Kids to Work Day. I loved having Natalie and Thomas join me at Mercantile to meet my coworkers and get a glimpse into what I actually do all day. Sharing a little piece of my work world with them made for a really special day.
Memorial Day weekend didn't exactly cooperate from a weather standpoint, but summer finally arrived on Monday. We managed to squeeze in 11 holes of family golf at Sunnybrook before getting caught in a downpour. The rain sent us back to the lake house, where the afternoon was salvaged with board games, crockpot dips, and quality family time.
As we settle into summer schedules, we're feeling incredibly grateful for the sunshine, the summer pace, and all the adventures still ahead. Whether it's golf tournaments, camp memories, lake days, bike rides, renovation progress, or simply spending time together, we're looking forward to making the most of every moment.
I leave you with the most gorgeous sunrise over Reeds Lake during an early morning walk. Cheers to a fun-filled Michigan summer ahead!
