We're Back!

Our home for the week

The kids taking in a movie

Alexis taking a ride with Pete and Mary

Enjoying the sun

That's us trying to make our way up the sand dunes

The group enjoying the evening

Papa and Alexis skipping stones

Breathless view from the green

Alexis and Mommy ready to ride

Well we made it back from Northern Michigan last night. We had such a wonderful time that seemed to fly by. Isn't that always the case??? My parents flew into Cleveland last Friday and we left on Saturday morning. Dean's family joined us as did my uncle and his family. Our cabin was right on Glen Lake which is one of the more shallow lakes in Michigan so it wasn't too cold to swim. We were able to enjoy the beach and sunshine several days. My uncle rented a boat four of the days that we were there. We all tried water skiing and tubing which were awesome. I was very pleased to say that no one got hurt. Both my parents even tried their luck at the skiing. This was only the second time I've tired to water ski and I was able to get and ski for a while. I was using muscles in my body that I didn't even know I had until the next morning when I would wake up and not be able to move. It felt like picking up a softball and throwing without even warming up. I know most of you can relate with that. Tubing was fun too. Alexis even rode with me a couple of times around the lake. She laughed the entire time especially when she was bouncing up and down on the raft.
Three of the other days we played golf at some of the courses around the area. Dean's sister Mary was nice enough to watch Alexis for me so we could all play together. The views from the course were amazing. Many of the holes overlooked Crystal Lake. The water up there in those lakes is amazing. So blue. I felt like I was in the Bahamas at times. Except no salt water so no salt in the eyes.
I have always wanted to go to a winery and do some wine tasting. There are several winery's around the area so we made our way to three of them. I know it's not Napa but some of the wine was very good. Then again I guess I'm not that picky and I don't know a whole lot about wine. But needless to say, we had a great time tasting all the different flavors. Alexis even had a few tastes. This child really loves wine. It's kinda scary.
On Friday we made our way to the Sleeping Bear Dunes. These are gigantic sand dunes that we are able to climb up and down. They are about 450ft. high and are at a 60 degree slope. I swear that we were looking straight down. The view was just amazing. We were on the side facing Lake Michigan. I was here once before when I was younger and it was much easier then. I was out of breath after ten steps up that incline.
During our stay we got to know some people that were staying next door. They had two young kids which worked out really well because all of the kids kept each other busy and the adults got to relax with a few beverages. We really had a blast and were sad to have to leave. I definitely would love to go back. This was my kind of vacation; beach, sun, golf, beer and naps. I'm ready for another vacation but unfortunately it's back to reality.

One More Day!!!

Well I have one more work day until VACATION!!!! Yeah!!!!!! I am so ready for some time off. We will be heading up to Northern Michigan on Saturday morning for a week staying on a lake. I'm going to take time to play golf, enjoy the water and sun and get some rest. Nana flew into town on Wednesday and my dad comes in tomorrow. Dean's family is heading up tomorrow and my uncle and his family will be coming up as well. It should be so much fun. I can't wait. I will try and take lots of pictures too. I found our other camera so now we have two. It was under Alexis's bed. I wonder how that happened. Anyway talk to everyone in a week.

Pool Fun

On Saturday we had Dean's cousin, his wife and their two kids over for the day along with Dean's brother and sister's family. We spent most of the afternoon enjoying the sunshine and warmer weather up at the pool. The kids had a great time as did the adults. They played most of the day in the big pool but did spend some time in the baby pool tool. Alexis is getting to be quite the little fish. She is losing her fear of the water which is a good thing and a bad thing at the same time. She is very close to swimming on her own. She jumps in from the side of the pool even when no one is paying attention. She now puts her head under the water and holds her breath. She goes back and forth from me to the steps while underwater. It's going to be so nice not to have to be a buoy for Alexis to hang on to. Anyway here are some pictures of our day.

Happy 4th of July

We had a great weekend which went by way too quickly. On Friday we went over to a friends house for a picnic before heading out to watch the fireworks. It was unusually cold this weekend and wound up having to wear pants and sweatshirts all day. Alexis was less frightened of the noise and big booms this year. She usually puts her hands over her ears. I always enjoy the fireworks. It was a pretty good show this year too. Here are a few pictures of our evening.

Privacy

I was getting Alexis ready to go to school the other day. Well I guess I should say that Alexis was getting herself ready for school the other day. Anyway gets dressed and then goes into the bathroom to brush her teeth, go to the bathroom. You know the usual morning routine. But this time she ended up closing the door and locking it. I attempted to open the door to help her only to find that she had locked the door. When I knocked and asked Alexis to unlock the door, she said "Mommy, I need my privacy"!!!!! I thought I was going to cry from laughing so hard. You really have to wonder where these kids get these sayings. I really don't think that I've used that line but then again, who knows. I may have.