Labor Day Weekend (Friday)

Friday night of Labor Day weekend (August 31st) was our anniversary, but somehow we don't have any photos of it. Oh well. I spent the day with Connor, as his day care was closed, but instead of laying around all day, I actually tackled several projects and didn't even sit down in front of my good friend the television until after 3:00!! I was pretty pleased with myself, but when Jodi got home she reminded me that she does that pretty much every day, plus some. Point taken.

Anyway, I got Jodi a used laptop (still good stats on it--it's similar to the laptops people at my office still use) with wireless internet, and upgraded our router to wireless as well. We love having internet throughout the house now, and are using it a lot. Jodi got me a nice, heavy duty air compressor, which I've wanted for quite some time. With three cars, two bikes, underground sprinkling, etc. there are tons of uses for a good compressor. Later we had dinner at Reds on the River in Rockford, which was terrific. Both the food and the service were excellent, and we highly recommend it. Sorry no photos, but happy five year anniversary to us!

Sunday Afternoon

Sunday was also Yet Another Beach Day (we've had a lot of them this summer), and I spent the day on the beach again with the last of my cousins (Carol & her family) and my aunt Jan. They actually couldn't stay that long, and after they left I took a nice long nap on the beach, under the canopy, iPod in hand. It's a great way to spend a lazy afternoon, and one of my favorite things to do. I was going to spend the night even, but I realized I'd have to get up very early to get home and take care of Connor (his day care was closed that Monday, and Jodi had to work) the next morning. So I left, and it was a good plan in that when I got home I was able to get the lawn mowed, which is one less thing to do.

Saturday, August 25 (Another Beach Day)

Some old friends from high school came out Saturday and we had another gorgeous beach day. I was a little beat from Friday night, however with the sun and the company I forgot it quickly. The lake was a little cold for swimming, but we made the best of it and the kids had a blast. We grilled for dinner, which turned out great (thanks Jerry!), then we relaxed up top before people had to start leaving. Young children are not conducive to late nights away from home, so it was just Jodi, little man Connor, and I watching the sunset. Too bad, but understandable now that we're part of the club too. Thanks everyone for coming!

Side note: Photos galore, as our friend Brenda has become quite the amateur photographer, whith a fancy camera and all. Thanks again, Brenda! That said, the reason there are no other families pictured (or a group photo), is that the disc Brenda gave me did not have those pics. I can only use what I was given!

Tigers Baseball!!

Yes, it's true that the Tigers have really blown it since the All Star Break, and are in great danger of not making the playoffs. But that's OK! We bought our tickets early in the spring, and we went to see them play the NY Yankees on Friday night, August 24. We got to the park at like 4:30, for a 7:00 game, and wandered around some, having a quick dinner in Greektown, then I even played a little craps at the Greektown Casino. (Side note: I hadn't played craps since my brother and I went to Aruba with his company like four years ago, but I somehow thought I would still be some kind of expert. Well it turns out I didn't remember any of the rules, and it reminded me that when I played in Aruba A) We were drinking and B) I had an expert at my side in Tim Schowalter at pretty much all times.) Anyway, I got through it and walked out up just over $40 (high roller, baby!!). After that it was time for the game!

D'OHH! On the way over it started to rain. Then it really, really, really started to rain. We figured they'd call the game, but little did we know the night we were in for... we hung around with the masses trying to stay dry before finally going to Tigers store, which was indoors and air conditioned (and we had to wait in a line, in the rain, just to get in). We got out of that around 8:30, still with no idea if they would play. So we headed over to Hockeytown to hang out there, keep cool, and watch the sports channels to see what was happening. I mean, at this point there was not one word at the ball park, no announcement, no clue as to what was happening. So we left Hockeytown at about 9:30, when we saw on TV that they were taking the tarp off the field. Play ball, right? Not quite. By the time we got back to the ball park and found our seats, they were actually putting the tarp back on the field. So now what? We pretty much just hung out with nothing to do, until finally they made the first announcement of the night: The game would start at 11:06 PM. So now we know. We stayed of course, and found some good club chair seats on the main level (that's almost a story in itself), and watched a great ball game with a lot of offense. But at the end of nine innings, it was tied! And it was just past 3:00 AM Saturday morning. I sort of insisted that we leave at that point, but in my defense I had a big day in Holland Saturday, with several couples coming out to the lake, their kids, a big dinner, etc. And while it was only 3:00 AM, we still had the 2 hour plus drive. So we left, and in the end Guillen hit a three run, walk-off homer in the 11th inning. Should we have stayed? Sure I guess, but I got home at 5:30 AM as it was. I got about three hours sleep, then it was time to face the day Saturday... (see next post!)

August 18.

I grew up pretty close to my aunt Jan and uncle Bob and their five kids (my cousins), as they lived near by and Bob was pastor of Garfield Park Reformed Church, where we of course were members. Fast forward, and nearly all the cousins were in Holland around the weekend of the 18th. My cousin Cathy and her family rented our cottage, and Carol & family also found a place to rent in Idlewood. (There's more to the story than that, but we're after brevity here folks.) At any rate, Cathy was gracious enough to have all the local Basts out that Saturday. It was rainy, unfortunately, but on the other hand we needed the rain. And we all fit inside--barely.

I think the highlight was a chance to see my great-aunt Hennie (who reminded me Yet Again that she was not invited to my wedding--thanks Dad!), and to get photos of her and Connor together. Thanks to everyone involved, and of course there are photos!

P.S. If I get married again, aunt Hennie is for sure invited.

August 11, Part II

Later that day we went up to Ali Kooistra's family cottage in Montague. We used to have parties there in high school and college, and it's really a special place. It was great to be up there again (I think it's been like seven years at least), and to catch up with dear friends!

Family Week

I needed to add some important information regarding my Mom and Bob's visit. First, they rented the cottage so they could accommodate their growing family. Jeremy and Kara came out and spent a couple of days with their children: Julia, and newborn Elijah (that was the first time Mom got to meet him!)

Jenny also came out to spend time with her children, Breyana, Rylan, and Ava (whos is Connor's age, within about four days). I came out a couple of days with Connor also, and brought my Grandma Baas. She has about 17 great grandchildren now, and enjoyed seeing the newest additions to the family.

Bob, who unfortunately was not pictured (due to my lack of picture taking--sorry, Bob!), was a huge help in all the food preparations, and was a real trooper, sleeping on a bed in the basement to accommodate all the extra visitors at the cottage.

My Aunt Barb was also here from Colorado, and it was so nice to see her as well. Barb, you'll be getting a call next time we are in CO... I just love it there, and Chris has tons of good friends there that we are hoping to visit soon!

Sadly, Bob's mom is dying, and they will be returning to Michigan next week for the memorial service. We are so sorry that you will be experiencing the loss of your mother, Bob. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you during this difficult time.

August 11

Sandi, Bob, and Sandi's sister Barb were all in town for about a week, and they spent most of that time at the cottage in Holland. That Saturday we had a big party with four generations of family, including all Sandi's grandkids!

Indy!

We finally got down to see my Dad & Tina in Indianapolis the weekend of August 4. I am pretty sure they like seeing us, but it's hard to tell with all the attention our little man Connor gets. Anyway, it turns out August 3 was Tina's birthday, so we had a great dinner out in Noblesville. As a side note, I got to drive by Deer Creek on the way to dinner, and it brought back so many memories of all the summers we saw Phish there (and the Grateful Dead a couple times even). Deer Creek is the best venue to see a show in the whole mid-west, so I was surprised to learn that they are closing it down and turning it into condos. What a waste.

The weekend was great, although we don't have much by way of photos. We plan to get down there more often in the future!