Bring on Summer!

Yesterday we drove to Lansing for a BBQ at the Harlan household. Stephanie invited all the Bos cousins and their children; all were in attendance except for Gerrit, Ryan, and Drew. We had a wonderful time complete with good food, family, and rambunctious little ones! It was fun witnessing the interactions amongst all the children and seeing the range in developmental age from our crawler/stander to Jenna, the pre-teenager. Thanks Harlan Family! We definitely will have to do this again!

Elaine Harlan (3), Lauren Philip (2), Liam Harlan (5), & Jenna Ackerman (9) enjoying some delicious food

Olivia trying yogurt for the first time; I think she liked it!

Samuel Harlan (22 mo.), Jordyn Carey (18 mo.) & Olivia (9 mo.) playing with dinosaurs

Olivia LOVED all the toys at the Harlan household! She had such a fun time watching the other kids play, crawling and pulling herself up on the furniture.

Wheeee! Olivia was not quite sure about being pushed on this little car.

The talented Peter, showing off his one-handed catching ability

Olivia playing in the grass

Sam was very determined in pressing forward & not willing to stop for a picture.

Liam going on a butterfly hunt. He was also searching for Jenna to accompany him on the hunt.

Elaine stopped to pose for a picture with her huge ball...too cute!

Uncle Craig & Olivia

When I asked Jordyn to smile for a picture, she would parrot, "Smile, smile."

Sam was appointed Head of Security & Crowd Control for the event.

No trouble would occur on his watch!

Jordyn with the push car

Lauren ALWAYS gives a HUGE smile when asked!

Phil, Peter, & Brandon playing catch; Jenna playing soccer; Sam monitoring the situation

Sam maintained surveillance from his lawn chair; he was ready to swing into action at a moment's notice!

Jenna playing with a caterpillar

Liam's caterpillar

Olivia trying on my sunglasses

All 9 Great-Grandchildren Gathered Together for Great Grandma Bos

Back row, left to right: Lauren, Elaine, Ava, Jenna, Liam

Front row, left to right: Olivia, Jordyn, Liesl, Samuel

Gathering Under the Tree

Back, left to right: Lauren, Ava, Liam, Jenna, Elaine

Front, left to right: Samuel, Jordyn, Olivia, Liesl

Tears were streaming while we tried to take these photos under the tree. Olivia was DONE with having group photos!

Olivia was not too keen about the slide.

Ashley Bos, Lauren & Elaine

The whole group

Elaine at the top of the slide

My tired, silly girl relaxing with her Daddy

Ava Philip (4) & Jenna driving the Jeep power wheels

Yes, Lauren is riding as a hood ornament on the Jeep! I guess she didn't want to be left out of all the fun.

Elaine & Liam Harlan

Lauren, Ava & Jenna

Olivia lounging on Daddy's lap; I think she was getting tired because lying like this is definitely not typical.

Liesl Philip (almost 13mo.) holding the play house fort down

Phil, the Patriarch of the Harlan Clan

(I didn't take this picture or the one below, but I found them amusing...I think Craig took these shots??)

Phil: "This is how I keep them in line."

Brandon: "Interesting, very interesting."

Rachel reading to Lauren & Sam; Olivia reading her own book