Softball and Basketball Camp

Okay, seems like I have been spending most of my afternoon downloading pictures and attempting to update the blog - I'm feeling kinda guilty... guess that's what I get for not locating the camera's cable sooner! Once school is out or almost out, the summer sports and camps begin! Softball is a sport that has always been in the family since I was a kid, most of my summer nights were spent at the ball diamond because my dad played almost every night. Then every Tuesday night I use to play for my church team, but have hung up my cleats and now for the first month of summer vacation I spend about two nights at the ball diamond watching Abbie. In the middle of June Basketball camp was every morning for about a week and then mid-July was a week of soccer camp - a very busy June and July it was but Abbie had a great time!

I don't recall signing Abbie up for "sand art"

The last day of Basketball camp, Abbie got her own basketball!

"All about Abbie" and a lot of catching up!!!

WARNING.... this could be a long post :)! Okay, so it has been two going on probably three months since I posted anything! YIKES!! Well, at first it took me a couple of months to FIND the cable to download the pictures from my beautiful camera (that I just love I might add) only for Brandon to tell me "did you look in the camera bag?" OH MAN I COMPLETELY didn't look there and I even take the camera out of that bag almost everyday! Then I was really making a dent in downloading almost 1000 pics only to find out I was downloading pics that I already downloaded, okay so my downloading isn't going that great. So.... I started over and started selecting the pics I wanted to download and got only half of them done to find out my camera shut down due to a dead battery so off I went to put the oddly squared battery in the little wall adapter hoping for a quick charge so I can download more pictures! ANYWHO.... on to picking up where I left off - Abbie's 8th birthday! I had so much fun planning it this year. Abbie was able to invite 8 of her friends over for a High School Musical themed birthday/slumber party and I had our travel trailer sitting out ready for a night of all girls, who all gave her awesome girly gifts! Then Saturday morning I had the girls make their own flip flops, which was a hit I might add. After the hype of her overnighter was done my family came over for a little party. Abbie made out really well! She was able to add to her collection of webkinz from Uncle Jeff and Aunt Helene - can't forget Madison too :), got a boombox with a MP3 adapter from my parents, and money from my Grandparents. To fit both parties in on one weekend made it very busy and gave us all a sugar buzz, but we all love you so much Abbie and we will do anything for you!

Thursday.... May 3, 2001

This day will be remembered as one of the best days of our life! God blessed Brandon and I with our first child, Abigail Nicole. It's amazing how fast the years go, how much her personality has changed, and now we are watching her grow into such a beautiful girl! We love you so much Abbie!!!

Our "Home" away from Home

Animal Kingdom Lodge made our week and a half at Disney World our home away from home! The kids LOVED it here, they would wake up every morning and run out on the balcony to see which animal was out in the Savanna. The room was nice and spacious and the kids loved the bunk beds.

The next two pictures were the view from our balcony.

The inside of the lodge was a bit dark, but I found it to be very quiet, peaceful, and relaxing. Inside the lobby, there was a large fireplace with a lot of areas to lounge and take in the African ambiance.

This is a picture of the lobby area. I should have taken a picture of it during the day because this picture just doesn't do the lobby justice.

Every night at the Lodge at 7:30, there was a parade that the kids could be a part of. They were able to pick their African instrument and they would march around the lobby singing and playing!



Everyone LOVED staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge, but Brandon and I have talked that we would like to try the Wilderness Lodge sometime just to compare. The bunk bed rooms were a wonderful perk, the other resorts we have stayed at in the past didn't have rooms like that. Every day when we would return to the hotel I could always expect that a Cast Member will be standing outside with a big smile on his or her face and saying to us "Welcome Home!"

Cinderella's Royal Table

After Abbie's princess makeover at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, we walked over to Cinderella's Royal Table for an excellent breakfast! The breakfast was quite busy (and heads up.....very difficult to get reservations to), with the princesses always stopping by, but I would recommend this to any princess at heart!

This is the back of the castle looking at Cinderella's Royal Table.

Walking up the royal staircase

Wow! Even the doll had her own seat!

Abbie had to close her eyes, wave her wand over her star, make a wish, and say "bibbidi bobbidi boo!"

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

We arrived at the "World" on Wednesday and right away Thursday morning we had an appointment at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at the Magic Kingdom Castle. I purchased a Cinderella outfit, at Downtown Disney, for her American Girl Doll so all of the Fairy Godmother's were just thrilled! I don't know who got pampered more - Abbie or the doll!

The "before" picture

Abbie had a choice of what crown she could have and of course she chose the "Cinderella" crown!

Abbie got quite pampered! She loved having makeup applied and getting her nails done!

The Fairy Godmother said that "Tinkerbell" insisted that Abbie's American Girl Doll have a makeover also!

Abbie had to make a wish while her Fairy Godmother said "Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo"
and with a little bit of "Pixie Dust"

I give you a PRINCESS!

Reece Gregory Nykamp

Last week Monday, my friend Sue gave birth to a beautiful baby boy! On Wednesday, there were some complications and those complications resulted in an immediate transfer to Spectrum's DeVos Children's Hospital. Thursday night, Reece went into exploratory surgery to eventually find out that he has NEC. NEC is an infection that eats away at the intestines and is usually common in premies - Reece was full term. During surgery, Doctors removed a third of his intestines and pumped his abdomen and flushed his intestines out with antibiotics. Reece is expected to remain at DeVos for another 6 to 8 weeks. During that time, the family is in need of prayers for God's healing presence. Please pray that Reece's infection doesn't spread and that the doctors took care of all the infection. 2nd - please pray for Sue, who just had a c-section, pray that God will continue to give her the strength and healing that she needs. Pray for BJ as he has a load to handle and that God will give BJ His Grace to lead their Godly family. Also, continue pray for them as a whole family. BJ and Sue not only have Reece, but they have another son Ben, who is 2 years old. Pray that God will be with Ben through all of this as he is passed around amongst Grandpa's and Grandma's - Aunt's and Uncle's every day. BJ and Sue do have a blog set up and I have to apologize, but I don't know how to insert a link properly so I will type out the blog site below or you can click on the side of my blog were it says "other blogs I read."

sweetbabyreece.blogspot.com

Bryce

It is very difficult trying to pack for our trip when I have to deal with this all the time!

Bryce's reaction when he first meet Madison....

After getting into chocolate, without my approval I might add, he was able to smile for the camera! This is his "cheese" face and he pulls this face everytime I take his picture!

Madison Ann

Here are the pictures of my new niece. We all just love her to pieces! Brandon, myself, and Abbie were able to meet her and hold her tonight and she was wide awake! Let's hope that she doesn't have her nights and days mixed up for poor Helene :)!
I just had to add the next two pictures of Abbie and Madison. At first, Abbie wasn't so sure of her, but as the time went by, she didn't want to let her go! Abbie "hogged" her most of the time:)! Can you tell that Abbie loves her new cousin? Just wait 'til Bryce sees her, I honestly don't know what he will think of her! Bryce wasn't able to come along, because he is REALLY crabby and battling a bad cold. So only time will tell if he will like her or not...... my guess is that he will totally ignore Madison until papa holds her!