Third Annual Couples' Retreat

We definitely know how to end summer in style!  For the past three years, we have gone on a couples' weekend with our best friends Steve, Heidi, Gregg, and Allison.  It was Steve and Heidi's turn to plan the trip this year and they chose an adventure to the east coast.  We flew out to Boston last week for 5 days of east coast fun!  We rented an adorable beach house in the small coastal town of Scituate, MA.  This place was magnificent!!!  We spent each day traveling to nearby areas and exploring the territory.  We then returned each evening to this quaint and peaceful home.  On our last day, we packed up and headed to Boston where we enjoyed city life and stayed in a gorgeous downtown hotel.   As for next year...  It's Aron and my turn to plan.   Hmmmm....  Suggestions???

Beach house is Scituate, MA

Our view from the deck.  Breathtaking!

Our first night was home cooked lobster that were purchases straight from the fisherman in Scituate.

Aron was in love with this 2.5 lb lobster!

I woke to the sound of the ocean and the fresh breeze through our windows.  I pulled on my running clothes and headed out for a peaceful morning jog along the bay of Scituate.  Love, love, love!

A day on Nantucket Island.  I must, must, must get back to this beautiful island!!!  So much to see and do there.

Aron and I on Nantucket at sunset.

A visit to Newport, RI.  What a fun coastal town.  We parked right by this beautiful building then spent the day walking, shopping, eating, and drinking.  I could definitely spend more time here!

Our last night in Scituate.  After the  most fabulous dinner, Steve ordered one of every dessert on the menu.  DELICIOUS!!!

A day in Boston.  Heidi and I walked 5 miles to see the site of the Boston Marathon Bombing.

Our hotel was not far from this historic building - the site of the Boston Massacre.

Having drinks along the Boston harbor.

Our boys!  We definitely lived it up on our last night!

Wedding Weekend

Two weeks ago, we had the wonderful opportunity to participate in my little cousin's wedding.  We spent the weekend at the beautiful Tullymore Golf Resort where we watched two of our favorite people exchange wedding vows.  Sloane was flower girl and Russell the ring bearer.  When first asked if he would be a part of the wedding, Russell said, "on one condition."  This condition was to be able to dress in a dinner suit similar to the one Indiana Jones wore.  This wish was not only granted, but when walking down the isle, the string quartet played the Indiana Jones theme song.  Needless to say, the kids had an absolute blast the entire weekend!  Sloane was treated like a true princess and both were spoiled endlessly.  At nearly midnight (in true Cinderella fashion), Sloane asked to go to bed.  She said, "I want to stay, but I'm just so tired.  This day was so much more than I expected.  I loved it!"  Well, we all LOVED it!  Congratulations Travis and Ellie!!!

Our little princess.

Our little Indie!

The pretty ladies all set to go.

Sloane and cousin Katie.  Katie was Russell's age when she was in our wedding.  Time flies!!!

Waiting patiently during the ceremony.

Just one of the gorgeous photos taken.

Look at these guys!  I love this photo!!!

My loves...

Lovin the Lake!

I feel truly blessed to not only be able to spend my summers with the kids, but to share part of my childhood with them.  The cottage has been a part of my life since I was 3-years-old.  Every summer we packed up as a family and headed north.  In the early years (before seat belt laws and booster seats) we only took one car, our full size green van.  My parents packed that van with every possible essential leaving just enough room for me to sit on a cooler between the front two seats.  I didn't mind too much because it was a tradition to see who could catch site of the Big Mac bridge first and with a front row seat, I had an edge up on my big brother.  We spent our summers swimming in the lake, taking boat rides, building tree forts in the woods, baking pies with Grandma, picking berries with our aunts, and walking the endless paths all around the lake.  Sure there were times during my teenage years that I didn't want to leave my friends at home.  But as I grew into an adult, I realized the true magic that is part of our little cottage.  Now with my mom gone, it also holds a piece of her.  Both Russell and Sloane have memories with Grammy at the cottage.  Sloane's favorite memory to tell is going to the laundry mat because Grammy let her put all the quarters in the machines.  It's true what they say...  It's the little things that count.  I type this with tears on my cheeks.  I spend 11 months waiting and dreaming of my time on the lake.  To many, one month in the U.P. seems like an eternity.  But to me, it's Heaven on Earth!   

Lounging in her daily wardrobe of bathing suit and goggles.

Cowboy Russell keeping the lake protected.

All set for a Sea Doo ride!  One speed...  FAST!

The last few days, Russell became quite good at snorkeling.

Ice cream break at the Moose!

Mother/daughter Mani/Pedis on the dock.

Driving lesson from Papa.

Time to fight the waves!

After some heavy rain and winds, we had to go rescue the dock.

Sunset swimming get two thumbs up!

Campfires and SMORES!!!  Yum!!!

Cuddle time inside.

Cozy in the cottage.

A power outage isn't a bad thing here.  It means GAME TIME!

Hangin out in the loft.

Homework in the morning so we can play ALL afternoon!

Lots and LOTS of boating time.

It rained ALL day on our last day.  At dinner, I said "It doesn't look like I will get my last sunset."  And then BAM!!!  I got it!!!  Thanks Mom!

So Much to do at the Soo!

On another cool day, the kids and I decided to hit the road for another adventure.  This time we headed east towards Sault Ste Marie.  We had so much fun exploring the town and watching ships go through the Soo Locks that we decided to grab a hotel room and stay for a 2nd day!  With no bags packed, we ran into the local KMart and purchased some necessities on clearance and made our way to the Soo Locks Lodge.  (Have I mentioned how I love the spontaneity of summer?)  We had a blast swimming in the pool and staying up way too LATE!  The next day we had a few more adventures in the Soo before heading back to the cottage.  On our way back we took a short detour to visit Point Iroquois Lighthouse.  One word...  Amazing!

Watching a ship approach the Soo Locks

At the top of the viewing station watching as the ship lowers and exits the Locks

Enjoying Valley Camp - this is a retired freighter that  has been transformed into an awesome museum!  Here the kids are in front of a life boat from the Edmund Fitzgerald. 

So much information at Valley Camp.  Russell kept repeating, "I'm so glad you brought me here.  This is great.  Thanks Mom."

Checking out another exhibit at Valley Camp

Here the kids are checking out another exhibit at Valley Camp that shows a map of the U.P.  The kids wanted to find all the places we've been to.

Point Iroquois Lighthouse.  I couldn't fit the entire house in the picture.  It's quite large.  In the 1950's, three families lived here as well as a teacher who taught their 8 children.  We were able to tour the museum that is now inside and climb to the top of the tower.

The kids and I climbed the narrow, twisty steps all the way to the top.  If you look close, you will see the freighter passing by in Lake Superior.

This Lake Superior beach is considered a historic site since it is part of Point Iroquois.  The history behind the name comes from the 1800's when Iroquois Indians traveled by canoe and foot from New York in hopes of taking over this land from of the Ojibwa tribe.  The Ojibwas carefully watched and planned their attach as the Iroquois landed at this point.  The Iroquois were slaughtered and never again attempted to take over this area.  It was prime land for fur trading.

A Day of Adventures

After 3 hot and beautiful weeks on the lake, we finally had some cooler days move in.  We always save these days for adventures.  This year we chose to head west towards Manistique.  We visited Kitchitikipi (or Big Springs) where we road an open bottom raft across the springs watching hundreds of the largest lake trout I've ever seen.  We then traveled further on to Fayette State Historic Park where we learned about a ghost town that originated in the 1800's as an iron working community.  Needless to say, Russell was thrilled about learning and viewing more history!  This is one of the reasons I love summer with the kids.  Watching them experience new things is a thrill for me.

We stopped for lunch at a restaurant that had tepees on their lawn.

Entering Kitchitipi - Awesome prayer!

On the raft checking out the fish below.

Entering Fayette Historic Park

Peeking in the windows of the old hotel.

Sloane's favorite building - the school house.

Russell pretending to be the Superintendent of Fayette

Walking along Lake Michigan at Fayette Historic Park