September Came and September Went!

It is hard to believe the last day of September is tomorrow!  The start of a new school year is always a complete blur to me.  It doesn't seem to matter how long I've been teaching.  The first month of school is tough!  And "tough" is an understatement!!!  After a few weeks of questioning my career choice and even debating other career options, I'm happy to report I am once again loving my job.  My mom always told me to give each school year a six week adjustment period, but this year I had a hard time remembering her knowledgeable advice.  After only four weeks in, I walked out of school Friday feeling pretty darn good!  As for Russell and Sloane...  They have made the transition into a new school year without skipping a beat.  It makes the week much smoother when your children are happy to go to school every day!  And, it's also nice when your children attend the same school as mom!  Here are some pictures to tell our September story...

September began with a Labor Day bash at Uncle Keith's!  Russell spent a LOT of time shooting his BB gun with Papa.

Sloane and Mac enjoyed rides around the property in the Razor with Daddy.

Hanging in Mom's classroom on the first day of school.  Sloane began 1st grade.

Russell began 2nd grade.

With the start of a new school year brings the start of a new dance season.  Sloane chose ballet this year.

She picked out a new leotard and tutu.  Pretty in purple!

Russell is once again playing for the Pirates soccer team.  He loves playing defense and goalie.

Action shot!  Sloane is also playing soccer, but I haven't captured any photos yet. 

The first of many trips to the cider mill.  We are lucky that so many fun orchards are close to our school.  We drive by this one everyday.  No donut shortage in our home!

After two weeks of school, I was ready for my annual Girls' Weekend!  This year 11 of us headed up to Traverse City for a wine tour.  This was the first of 6 wineries we visited.

I think this was winery number 3.

And this was winery number 6.  What fun day!!!  I LOVE these girls!!!  Sisters forever!

After four weeks of school I was ready for a race!  I drove to west Michigan and ran the Holland Park-to-Park half-marathon with two of my dear friends.  It was a warm and sunny day along Lake Michigan.

September is over, but the fun is not!  Lots of adventures ahead for the Carlson Crew in October!!!

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!