A Late Recap

The week before the 4th we went to Binder Zoo with all the cousins...even Levi from the UP was able to join us in the fun! I wanted to post these pictures just because I actually got some great shots of the boys feeding the giraffes!

In the past I have not been able to capture what this is like but I actually got the giraffe's tongue(that Cameron fondly remembered being long enough to go up their noses) and the boys' expressions! It was really fun!
This was one of the baby ones that was just tall enough to reach the treats(and it's amazing how they curl their tongues around the ropes!)

Of course we have to stop for snacks!
This is all 9 grandkids on the Vruggink side with 2 more cousins to be added in October. Then there will be 11 under 11!

It was so fun to be able to have Levi along with us. He is about 4 months younger than Haiden. Are they cute or what!?
That spot on Haiden's forehead is finally gone. Carpet burn wound from wrestling with Daddy!

The day after the zoo, we packed up and headed to the UP with Grandpa and Grandma Vruggink to bring Levi back and see Tor's brother and sister-in-law who we have not seen since Christmas! I wish I would have gotten a picture of the van and trailer with 4 ATV's, coolers, totes and a bike. We sure did get a lot of looks as we were putt-putting along the highway.
All the guys had a great time waking up in the morning, packing snacks and jumping on the 3-wheelers and quads to explore some trails! We played, relaxed, took walks, had good food and enjoyed spending time with family that we wish we could see more often.

We were blessed to have them ALL sleeping after we stopped for lunch.
So sweet. This made the ride so much easier...for us and them!

Another stop was at the bridge. I am glad that Cameron will remember this now. It is so fun to try to see things through the eyes of a child and get as excited as they are about things as simple as being able to stick your toes in a lake and go over a huge bridge;)

Let's go!


Every morning, Haiden was so happy to not be left behind! You can't see it but he is smiling from ear to ear!

These 2 did not want to get off! We had to be careful because they both know how to turn them on!
CHEESE!!

And this one just gets on and goes. Fortunately he is safe and cautious!

This little one was a little annoyed that he could not drive the big one, so this kept his spirits happy! Fortunately, Levi was willing to share.

We went to a local bear ranch. It was a hot morning and only some were moving, but we still got to see a few up close. Cameron kept asking about when Daddy shot his bear, so we had to "sush" him as we went along the trails! Cameron did get a taste of bear hunting and was able to go with Trent and Torrey to bait bear and go two-tracking.

And after all the excitement and adventure, this is how Haiden felt on the long ride home....
A great mini vacation!