Pure Michigan 2013

We took our annual 4th of July vacation back to Michigan this year.  We spent the first few days with Jay's family and first made a trip to Sanford lake.  They have a beautiful beach and splash pad.  The kids had a great time playing....until the rain hit.  The storm turned out to be relentless and we had to pack up and go home, but not before the kids had fun playing in the sand and water.

 

The kids all took their turn standing under the water bucket at the splash pad until it dumped all of the water out on them.  I have super cute pictures of Anna, Kole, and Sydney doing it below.  Emma was too infatuated with building her sand castle to take her turn.  Unfortunately, the heavy rain kept mom from taking any pictures of her finished sand castle.

 

 

We also had a surprise retirement party for Jay's dad (aka Papa) while we were home.  He had retired from his job a while back but then immediately took up life guarding and teaching water aerobics in his free time.  He finally retired for good and had no idea that he was coming to a fun party all for him.  

The grand kids were trying to stay occupied for the big surprise

Safe to say he was surprised!

 

Papa with the grand kids
 

 

Anna enjoying the frosting of the doughnut with Papa.  She always licks off just the frosting!

We had a quick visit with one of my good friends Lindsey, who was in town from Chicago, with her precious new baby Avery.  It was so exciting to meet sweet Avery and then be able to go to her baby shower while in town!

Emma, Lindsey, and Avery

 We then made our trek up to northern Michigan to spend the rest of the week at Mullett Lake.  We spent the first couple days with our bff's from WI - Aimee and Phil - and of course their kiddos Ben, Owen, and Kyla.  We usually only see them once per year and it always flies by way too fast!

Emma, Anna, and Ben coloring on the sidewalk

Races to tire out the kids.  Anna is always bringing up the rear:)

We had to close out the first night with s'mores and sparklers!

 

 

Just one of the many gorgeous sunsets.  No editing done here.  Just Pure Michigan beauty:)

Looks like times have changed a bit.  Jay and Phil toasting their waters?!?  Guess they have slowed down a bit with the addition of 5 kids (5 and under) between us!

 

We even had Vall, who lives in AZ, come and visit us for the day!  It has been WAY too long since we have all been reunited, and it was a fun day.  Went by way too fast!!

 

 

All the kiddos!

 

We spent the rest of the week with my family.  We played in the sand, did lots of swimming, and of course lots of fun boat riding.

Daddy helping with the sand castle

Emma was very proud of her "masterpiece" sand castle

 

 

Jay can still ski!  Here he is giving his "fins up" sign for the trip. 

Anna and Aunt Becky with their "fins up!"

 

 

Annual bath in Mullett Lake

Anna actually fell asleep on the boat- a true miracle in itself.  Vacation is so tiring!

Emma was worn out too!

Girls were soooo tired as usual after their fun vacation.  It is such hard work for them to be spoiled by all of their grandparents and aunts and uncles:)  We definitely needed to get back into the routing of a normal bedtime.  Anna still tells me everyday that she wants to go back to Michigan - of course because that's where all the fun is!!  Endless ice cream, s'mores, movies, late nights, camping and campfires, boating, swimming, beaches, and tons of family to spoil them - what could be better???

 

We are in the heat of the summer and trying to survive.  That means lots of indoor time and pool time.  We went to the Houston Children's Museum last week and also saw the movie Turbo.  Here are a few pool pics. 

 

 We have a very busy rest of August.  We will be headed back to Boston for the last of Anna's testing at Boston Children's Hospital.  Most of it is routine developmental testing but she also has her MRI so we will be anxious to get those results back.  We will then drive to Cape Cod to spend a few days exploring and relaxing at the beach.  More on that to come.  We also have a certain 5 year old who will be headed off to kindergarten.  She is beyond excited.....I am dreading the day!  Last, but definitely not least, Anna will be having her 3rd birthday!!  Wow - a lot to do throughout the month, and throw in a few other doctor/dentist appointments before school and we will be super busy!

 

I will update everyone with all of Anna's medical stuff after our Boston trip.  Until then I hope my TX friends are beating the heat someway, somehow (and please tell me if you have any other great ideas:) and my MI family is enjoying their awesome weather.