Coast Guard '11

Coast Guard weekend has become an annual tradition for us. Our friends Derk and Bethany graciously (crazily?) invite a bunch of families up to her parents' house in Spring Lake for the weekend.

{2010}

{2009}

{2008}

We usually enjoy a fire on Friday night and then wake up for a big breakfast before we head to Grand Haven for the famous Coast Guard Grand Parade. After the parade, we head back for an afternoon of pool fun.

This year it was raining Saturday morning but we still went ahead with our parade plans. There were many moments along the way when we thought we were a little bit crazy but we did have a giant tent for the 22 of us to stand under and it did end up clearing up during the parade.

After two hours of parade-ing we had damp kids, soggy candy and some priceless memories.

The sun was peaking out by the time we got back to the house and there was plenty of time for some diving board antics (by the kids and the adults).

Our pack of kids keeps growing each year - this year there were 12 little ones ages 6 weeks to 6 years (and two more on the way!)

Thanks, D & B, for hosting another fabulous weekend!