Jack's 6th Birthday!!

We were going to be in Holland for Jack's birthday, so we celebrated early at home in California with some friends and family. I know, you're feeling really sorry for poor Jack. He got to have two parties!










We were blessed to have Jack's party at Super Frank's, where we dined in the glow-in-the-dark "golf room", ate delicious pizza, played glow-in-the-dark miniature golf and ended the night with arcade games and tokens.










We had our friends and family come, and even though all the kids ended up being girls, Jack didn't seem to notice or care, and had a great time with Abby and Faith Spica, Christina (our neighbor), and Mariana.



Jack had so much fun opening all his presents. The theme was "Transformers"and he certainly scored many transformers robots -- more than meets the eye, eye, eye. :)

Holland Trip - Part 1

One of the first places we went to was a HUGE playground called the Linnaeushof (named for a famous artist). It consists of original, unique, fun play equipment for as far as the eye can see. We were amazed at how few staff people there were, definitely different than in America! On most things you generated motion by bicycling or cranking or running on. We went with Marieke and her sister, Marleen, and her family - Arien (husband), Daan, who is 6-1/2, Janna, who is 4, and Naut, who is 2. So I guess the kids are second cousins. We had a language barrier with the kids, but you need few words to have fun at this giant playground!


Jack and Daan

Janna and Naut

Bicycle Merry-Go-Round

Jumping Jack, with about 11 other trampoline jumpers

Mariana and Janna

Jack lost his 1st tooth!

Jack lost his first tooth at the end of our trip to Southern California. He would let us touch it, and we almost lost it when it came out with a bite of pizza! Thankfully, Mommy found it on the ground and he didn't swallow it!

Bakker Family Vacation

This year our annual Bakker family vacation trip was a four day stay in Palm Desert, CA, over the 4th of July
week. You could say that we suffered from the heat - 120 degrees every day, except that we stayed in beautiful apartment-style suites. We were either swimming in the pools (that they had to COOL every day, not heat!) or in our nice air-conditioned rooms.

Uncle Dan, Tommy, Andrew (behind), and Owen

We had a blast with Grandpa and Grandma;our family; Kristina' brother, Dan, and his wife, Crystal and their three boys - Ethan, Andrew and Owen; Kristina's brother, Jordan, his wife, Erin and their baby, Morgan; and Tommy and Olivia, nephew and niece. We were missing Kristina's sister, Karen and her husband and other four kids. Next year, hopefully!

Playing "catch the beachball and jump in" game

Mariana and Olivia enjoying the impressive waterslide - a definite hit with the kids (and grown-ups) in the pool area!

Crystal and Owen, the sleepy swimmer

Baby Morgan (6 months), just finished with squash. Mmm...

Andrew ready to jump in!

Baby Owen (11 months) - he is a busy boy! Would someone feed that kid?!

Silly and ready for pizza
The cousins - (clockwise from left) Tommy, Olivia, Mariana, (Christiaan), Ethan, Owen, Jack and Andrew. (we're missing Morgan)