Saugatuck, Sand Dunes and Sailing - Week of June 15th

Mom & Cam

Sometimes a vacation can consist of 1-2 days.  Although for some, this may seem silly, it worked well for our family to enjoy time away on a Thursday through Friday.

Dad & Cam enjoying the hot tub!

'Auntie' Karen drove from Chicago and met us in Saugatuck.  We stayed at the Ship-n-Shore Hotel located right on the Kalamazoo River and the chain ferry was located adjacent to the hotel.  Cam had many questions about the ferry's operation. The Saugatuck Chain Ferry claims to be the only remaining chain driven ferry in the US. It has been in use since 1838. Three pullies keep it in line as it is being pulled across the Kalamazoo River. When it is ready to cross the river, the operator takes a can of

'Auntie' Karen & Cam

compressed air and blows an airhorn alerting all boat traffic to stop. It is hand propelled! The operator turns a crank on the inside and this pulls the ferry along the chain.  It was quite the sight to see it make the trek again and again.
We had a delicious dinner where Cam scored an ice cream sundae with brownies and chocolate sauce, to go enjoy poolside.  Cam referred to our overnight abode as "his" room and told his parents he would share "his" bathroom with them.   The next morning, we all enjoyed some pool time before heading out to the Saugatuck Dune Rides, just minutes from our hotel.
Cam wasn't sure what to expect and commented that he didn't know what dune rides were.  He quickly realized that the faster the ride was, the the bigger his smile grew!  The driver and commentator provided a history lesson and jokes along the way.  Cam interjected
with "I did not know that" or "wow!"
We can't thank 'Auntie' Karen enough for joining us on our Saugatuck adventure and sharing in all the fun!
It was a perfect day combined with gentle winds and sunshine and Cam's adventures weren't over just yet....


Late Friday afternoon, our busy guy was scheduled for an adaptive sailing clinic on Reed's Lake.  The original date was the previous week, but rain delayed the occasion.
However, the wind was truly just right to make sailing a breeze.
Cam and Jane boarded a boat captained by "Mr. Mark" and headed out.


Mark explained the mechanics of sailing to Cam and also warned of the different noises and movement that are a part of the recreational sport.  Halfway through our time, Mr. Mark asked the young boater if he'd like to sail all by himself.  Cam excitedly said "yes please" and took hold of the rope the captain handed to him.
After our excursion, we went to thank the director of the event and inquired about Mr. Mark and how long he had been working with Mary Free Bed.

To our great surprise, we were informed that Mark had generously volunteered his boat and time upon seeing the clinic in action.
It is the humble offering of people like Mark who remind us that selfless acts can be the most rewarding.

Sunday was Father's Day and we had the pleasure of celebrating the occasion with Oma and Opa by meeting them for a delicious dinner on Muskegon Lake.

Jane's Father's Day message to Chris:
You constantly surprise us with your talents, creating and building without instruction. As a dad, you are the example of unconditional love. You're Cam's hero and believe me, you will always be mine.

School Ends, Jane's Birthday begins- Week of June 8th

The only way to have a friend is to be one. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

The week started out with an evening to the WhiteCaps baseball game, hosted by Chris' workplace, FTC&H.  At the family outing, we dined on hot dogs, burgers, chips and cookies.  Cam met mascot "sister" Crash.  We didn't stay for the entire game, but we were able to see a few runs around the bases.

Tuesday was Jane's birthday and Cam was super excited to celebrate!  A delicious dinner at Houlihan's for the Weatherford family,  Auntie Roe and her niece Rachel made for a fun evening.  Back at home, Chris and Cam had a cake and ice cream waiting, along with presents.  At bedtime, Jane told Cam it was her best birthday yet.  Cam said "Why Mom?"  Jane explained that this was the first year Cam could clearly say "Happy Birthday, Mom" and "I love you!"

Awesome kids with their parents, awesome teachers,
the best aides, therapists and bus drivers

Wednesday marked the final day of the school year and Cam was hosting an afternoon cookout at his house for good friend and classmate, Natalie.   Natalie's family is moving to Lansing this summer and everyone at school who had contact with her was invited to join.
It was a beautiful afternoon filled with warm sunshine and welcome shade.  Since the meal was a combined effort of the group, we all dined on delicious food.  One of the best parts of the day was watching all of the kids interact with each other and seeing the teachers, therapists, helpers and bus drivers all take a little time to relax.  Cam and Natalie plan on connecting via FaceTime on the iPhone and meeting up at Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park.

Saturday's trek to see Oma and Opa was a bit rainy.  This meant we had a perfect opportunity to take a field trip to Country Dairy in New Era, Michigan.
Just 15 minutes from the family cottage, the dairy farm boasts an extensive menu, including numerous flavors of ice cream.  It is the only place we've seen where you can help yourself to free refills of milk, chocolate included.

That night, Cam's grandparents made a special birthday dinner for Jane and invited family over for the famous Ryke's cake and Country Dairy ice cream.  Niece Steffanie and her boyfriend Heath were able to spend some quality time with Cam and share some laughs.

Sending out a very heartfelt thanks to Oma and Opa and the countless friends and family who reached out to Jane for her birthday.

In honor of feeling young, summer break means additional time for fort building...enjoyable at any age.

"We don't stop playing because we grow old.  We grow old because we stop playing."  ~George Bernard Shaw

Last Call for Baseball - Week of June 1st

You know the feeling you have when you've eaten an absolutely delicious meal?  So content and happy and smiling.
It was a week of events that left us feeling completely filled, in heart and soul.

Ms. Ginny & Cam

At Meadow Brook school, Cam attended an awards ceremony for Project Unify and LINKS (Loyal Interested Nurturing Kind Student).
What is Project Unify? An education and sports-based program that promotes acceptance, respect, and leadership for students of all abilities while creating an inclusive school environment. There are four components: a unified sport…bocce ball, a school-wide

Taylor & Cam

campaign to foster diversity and respect for all, a community service project, and a Youth Activation Committee (YAC).
LINKS is a peer-to-peer inclusion program where students support a same-aged peer from the CI classroom at school.
Jane & Taylor attended the event which included a slideshow of all activities led by Ms. Ginny and Ms. Barbara as well as a medal and certificate presented to each student involved.  What a great group of kids involved in such an important project!

Ms. Barbara & daughters,
Ms. Cris & daughter

L to R: Chris, Emma, Steve, Megan, A. Betsy, Auntie Jo,
U. Jon, Oma, Will, Cam, Patti

Jane, Emma, Cam, Chris

On Saturday, the blue skies arrived with a slight breeze to celebrate the last baseball game of the 2015 spring season for WMML.  Since two games were cancelled this season due to weather, it was a record attendance.  Most definitely, a record fan count for Cam.  We cannot thank everyone enough for making it out to the very crowded game (and parking lot).

Aunt Betsy, Cam, Uncle Jon

Cam was up to bat twice, went around the bases with a big grin and screamed with delight, "I'm done!" after the game ended.  He proudly showed off his medal to all.  We didn't have a chance to have everyone in a photo op, but wanted to properly call out those not pictured in our photos:
Aunt Mary & Uncle Ray, Ms. Michelle, Molly & Gordy, Mr. D, Ms. Andrea and her family.

As if the baseball game wasn't enough excitement for one day, Oma and Jane took Cam over to the Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park to ride the safari bus and feed the animals.  The llamas were quite hungry and tried to munch on Cam's fingers as well as his chair!  Luckily, the entire experience produced quite a few laughs.  A stop at the Ice Cream Caboose completed our day.  As Cam noted: "we are very busy today!"

'Auntie' Roe with the homemade cup telephone!

On a side note, Jane was excited to find the original Mister Rogers episodes on Amazon Prime.  Cam thoroughly enjoys them and wanted to create the "tin cup telephone experiment."  His first remarks into the phone cup: "Hi Dad, how are you...over!"

Mister Rogers' goodbye song certainly sums up this week nicely!

"It's such a good feeling to know you're alive. It's such a happy feeling: You're growing inside. And when you wake up ready to say, "I think I'll make a snappy new day." It's such a good feeling, a very good feeling, The feeling you know that we're friends."

Backyard Open House - Week of May 25th

Bed in Summer ~Robert Louis Stevenson 
In winter I get up at night And dress by yellow candle-light.
In summer, quite the other way, I have to go to bed by day.
I have to go to bed and see The birds still hopping on the tree,
Or hear the grown-up people's feet Still going past me in the street.

Chris (photobombing),
Anna, Cam & good friend, Alex

And does it not seem hard to you, When all the sky is clear and blue,
And I should like so much to play, To have to go to bed by day?


As the days become longer, the activities can start later.  On Memorial Day, we happily hosted Anna's high school open house in our backyard.  As neighbors and forever friends, Anna's family has known Cam for his entire life.
The weather cooperated and from 5-8pm, Anna greeted 240 people!

Cam was introduced to the game 9 Square, which was set up in our backyard. 9 Square Website


The “king” serves the ball from the center square to any other square by hitting the ball up and out of the top of the center game square. Players must return the ball to another player’s square.  If a player fails to return the ball to another player’s square, that player is out. When a player is out, they leave their square and move to the end of the line. The other players advance to fill the square of the player who just got out.

After Monday's excitement, we celebrated Emma's birthday on Wednesday.  Cam wanted to give Emma a movie for her birthday.  To accompany that gift, we found some popcorn buckets, a favorite snack for both families.

Over the weekend, Chris was on a fishing trip with Emma's dad and they caught quite a few bass!

Ms. Ann hung out with her buddy Friday eve while Jane attended her cousin's wedding.  There may or may not have been some chocolate consumed!

On Saturday and Sunday, Jane and her helper son completed quite a few "clean up" chores at home.

After lots of working, Cam's favorite playmate came over.
Emma created a crown for Cam and deemed him "King Cam!"

Favorite "Cam Quote of the Week" after trying a granola bar for the first time...

Cam: "Mom, what is in it?"
Jane:  "Peanut butter chips, chocolate chips, and oats."
Cam: quietly contemplating "Mom, I do not like oats."

The Great Outdoors - Week of May 18th

“Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.” 
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Cam couldn't wait to help outdoors at school this week.  As part of a school community project, the kids in his class had gardening time to help beautify the Meadow Brook grounds.  Our first grader was so anxious that he asked his mom to email his teacher to find out what time the actual assistance would take place.  Cam watched Jane write the email and upon seeing her hit send, indicated "what did she say?"  Email is a speedy way to communicate, but it's not quite that fast!

Ben, Travis, Paige & Jodi

Friday was a day off of school due to the holiday weekend.  And with a day off came a morning of "working" at Grand Valley with some graduate students.  Jane is always curious to see how each set of kids will interact with Cam.  There's never been a group without a smile.
After all of that working, Jane treated Cam to a McDonald's lunch.

The real treat came Saturday, though, when the Weatherford family headed northward to spend some time with Oma and Opa.
Chris and Cam worked a few nights to finish up the 3rd version of "CamMobile" for the beach.
The big buoyant wheels make sand travel a breeze.
Jane and Cam had fun creating some sand-drip castles.  There is nothing like the feeling of the Lake Michigan beach sand between your toes and fingers.
With the beautiful weather, we were able to spend the entire afternoon lakeside.  The sun sparkling on the water was a bit deceiving with the liquid temps in the 40's but Chris and Cam still walked in to get their feet wet.

We finally went back up to the cottage to get ready for dinner.  Opa cooked us all some delicious steaks and even had a 4 ounce one cut especially for Cam.  Our boy is definitely a steak lover.  Oma served her tasty cheese sauce and her grandson decided it tasted good on everything!

Homemade brownies with ice cream topped off our dinner.
We think Oma puts some extra love in everything she bakes.
It was the perfect end to a week of being in the great outdoors!