On the way home - Manistique town beach

We packed a picnic for our drive home on Tuesday. Our amazing traveling puppy and kids were great and we made it all the way to Manistique before we had to stop. The town beach was a perfect place to stop to eat and then get out some energy and stretch our legs. We were all interested in the stone sculptures on the shore and Alex and Maya wanted to try their hand at a small one. They did pretty well!

Nature trail - Clear Lake

Rhinelander - at Lori and Mike's

The family party was at my aunt and uncle's house. It was a gorgeous warm day. We had a great time sitting down by the water and the kids played on the shore line with Matt and Amy's dog Abby.

We saw fish and frogs and reminded kids to keep their shoes dry. Keep your shoes dry. Your SHOES, they are the only ones we brought!!

I just love those pictures of Maya and Grandma Ruth (my grandma) sitting on the swing chatting. Maya was telling her all about everything and making funny faces for her

The cabin in the fall

Last year we went to Minocqua/Rhinelander the beginning of October to see my cousin and his wife who were moving to Australia and celebrate their new baby that was coming with the whole family.

It was the first time we'd been at the cabin in the fall in a long time and we had such a wonderful time. The kids loved having fires in the fireplace every day. We had perfect weather for hiking and playing. We decided we should try to come back this fall too, even if there was no special occasion because we had so much fun.

Well guess what?! Another of my cousins who lives fairly far away (out west) and I don't get to see very often decided to come "home" and bring his new fiance. We got to plan another early October trip to the cabin and celebrate another new baby on the way!

And the weather was just as perfect and we had just as much fun and it was even better this year because Ben was able to come along too.

My mom found some classic Lite Brites at a yard sale this year - the kids LOVED them.

We made smores on the fireplace fire.

Yes, Maya is wearing winter boots. No it was not cold enough to warrant winter boots. They were new, they were purple. Enough said.

My dad, Ben and my brother Matt took out the dock. They borrowed wet suits to help stay warm. I have some very interesting wet suit pictures that I haven't decided if I am going to share or not. Money could change hands.

"Did I catch a 'niner' in there?"

We have a new addition to our garage! Ben got a Specialized Camber 29er last month and just picked it up this weekend! To say he is excited is an understatement.

Every day is a good day for a dance party.

The neighborhood gang

Kitty corner from our house across the street is an empty wooded half lot. Alex, Maya and some of the neighbor kids have claimed it for their one of the forts. I say "one of their forts" because they also have one behind our house just outside the fence line and one over in the woods next to the neighbor's house. Both of these are made of logs and sticks. The one across the road though includes a climbing tree and then a little area underneath that they section off with whatever all the parents will allow them to use. Usually umbrellas and kiddy pools. The big kids love the climbing tree, the little kids love the excitement of it being across the road!