Summer for us Kladders is off to a roaring start! It’s only been three weeks since the kids had their last day of school and we’ve already had plenty of sunshine, lake time, and lots of golf.
Golf is one of our summer staples and includes Wednesday night Women’s League, Thursday night Men’s League, and Sunday afternoon family golf. Sprinkled throughout those set times we also find ourselves golfing with friends during golf outings and at Couples Nine and Dine events. This month I also enjoyed walking the course at Blythfield with two of my girl friends watching the LPGA Meijer Classic. Validated that I should definitely not quit my day job.
Spending time on Lake Michigan has also been a staple of our June. We hit the big lake twice already this month, first with friends from Jeff’s winter golf-simulator league at their summer house in North Muskegon. The weekend was filled with dreamy sunsets, driving golf balls into the sunset, roasting marshmallows, and sinking our toes into the sand.
Last weekend we headed the opposite direction, down the lakeshore to Saugatuck for a night away without the kids. My birthday was the week prior and this continued the celebrations with a full day of horsing around out on the big lake, dinner at Bowdies Chophouse, and a phenomenal brunch at Penny Royal Cafe on our way out of town. A good time was had by all.
Earlier that weekI hosted my girlfriends at the newly opened Lee & Birch on Wealthy Street for a Sip & Shop Birthday Party. The ladies all shopped at a storewide a 20% off discount while nibbling yummy bites and sipping tasty bubbles. I had a great time, and the feeling of having all my friends from all different parts of my life come together in one spot felt pretty awesome. It was the perfect way to celebrate my 37th loop around the sun!
Natalie has already hit two camps this summer: Camp Roger and Drama Camp at The Grand Rapids Civic Theatre. This was her third year at overnight camp and this time she was joined by not one, but TWO of her besties, Vienna and Maxine, who had both separately attended with her in years past. The girls had an amazing time and Natalie still reports her favorite parts about camp are making arts and crafts and swimming in Little Bostwick Lake.
Our girl also tried something completely new this summer… Drama Camp! Each day last week she attended camp at The Civic Theatre downtown from 9a until 3p where they bounced from room to room working on acting, singing, dancing, making props, as well as their costumes. On Friday the camp hosted friends and family for a 2p matinee show in the big theatre where the kids put on their full production. Natalie’s group performed a mini-modernized version of Peter Pan. Natalie rocked it!
This week Thomas is at football camp at the High School - a first for him - and so far he’s loving it. He’s also at Watermark once a week for junior golf. Thomas always on the move and is constantly keeping us on our toes. Just recently, he tried out for MSA soccer for the second year in a row and despite making the team again, he’s decided he’d like to take a break on soccer. Jeff and I are all for him trying new things and we’re curious to see where he gravitates next.
Speaking of soccer, Jeff returned from Dallas, Texas yesterday after a weekend away with the guys to watch the U.S. Men’s Soccer Team defeat over Bolivia during the first part of the Copa America Tournament. The guys had a great time! That’s actually all I know about this trip… that, and one of them definitely showed up to the airport without their drivers license. How they all made it home in one piece? Well. Who knows.
Earlier this month we grabbed a night out with friends for dinner at Bistro Bella Vita (an oldie but a goodie) and laughed super hard at comedian Nate Bargatze who performed at Van Andel Arena. We’ve been hot on Nate since his guest appearance on SNL last year. His live performance was even better! Including his three openers, the entire show including ZERO profanity, references to religion or politics, and somehow he still made our sides hurt. Good clean humor.
Later this week we head to Silver Lake Dunes for our annual camping trip with friends, which will end cap our fun-filled month of June. See you in July!