Daddy's New Wakeboard

The boys just had to try out daddy's new wakeboard.........seems they have some growing today before they can actually use it!

Another Beautiful Day at the Cottage

We braved the bad weather forecast and went out for a visit to the cottage on Saturday anyway. Thankfully the clouds cleared after a few minor sprinkles and the blue sky and sun graced us with their presence the rest of the afternoon and evening making for another beautiful summer day. Cory wakeboarded, my brother slalom skied, and Rachel and I both tried (not all too successfully) to drop a ski, even my uncle got in on the fun this time and slalom skied. Joshua was able to try out the new tube with my cousin Rachel and had a blast too! In the evening we actually got Matthew to try out the EZ Ski and he even briefly stood up while riding it behind the jet ski! Of course there were several boat rides and jet ski rides throughout the day and the night ended with a boat ride in the dark which was definitely a highlight for the boys. We had tons of fun once again thanks to my uncle and aunt and can't thank them enough for creating wonderful summer memories with us.

Playing in the water and the sun tuckers you out!


Joshua and Rachel try out the new tube.

Rachel got her own wild ride on the tube!

Matthew was brave enough to jump off the dock just like Joshua was doing!

It's hard to see, but Matthew is standing up on the EZ Ski!

The littlest EZ Skier we've had yet!

A day at the cottage!

With another nice weekend on the horizon my aunt Cher called to see if we wanted to come out to the cottage for a day. We of course jumped at the idea since we love being at the cottage, in the water, on the boats and spending time with my aunt and uncle! As expected we had a fabulous summer day! Cory had borrowed his cousin's wakeboard and was determined to get up and wakeboard which he did after a number of attempts! I attempted to drop a ski and was successful for all of 11 seconds which you can see below. As my uncle reminded me, my mom was a great 2 ski skier, but a slalom skier she was not.....thinking I may take after my mom. Joshua did the EZ ski, but seems to get be getting bored with it this summer as it's "too easy". Joshua LOVED swimming, jumping off the dock and jumping off the boat. Seriously, it's hard to get this child out of the water......reminds me of me and my brothers. Another highlight of the day for Joshua was driving (more like steering) the pontoon boat all the way across the lake with my uncle; he was grinning ear to ear and very proud of himself! Matthew enjoyed the water, but not to the extent Joshua did (guess that's hard when you can't swim yet). Matthew loved going on the boats and the jet ski though! My uncle even did some fun fireworks for the boys after dinner! The boys ended the night on the perfect note by catching fireflies before we got them in their PJs and headed back home. This is what summer is all about!

Cory wakeboarding!



This picture makes me look like I know what I am doing.....ha!

One the momma ducks and her babies that we fed.

Jumpin' Joshua!

Matthew showing Aunt Cher his toys during the boat ride.

Checking out the wedding happening on the shore.

Joshua and Matthew helping Uncle Steve drive us back to the cottage.

Joshua was proud of himself for steering us all the way back across the lake with a little help and directing from Uncle Steve.

Fireworks!

Cory even fit some kneeboarding in!

Fourth of July Weekend Away

For the holiday weekend we headed up north to Cadillac to camp with Cory's parents, his brother and sister and their families. It was a wonderful long weekend filled with lots of time for the cousins to play, fishing, swimming in the lake, boat rides, tubing and easy skiing, playing in the sand, eating delicious food, fires, fireworks and overall just having a nice relaxing and fun time. The highlights for the kids were definitely playing with their cousins along with swimming and playing on the beach. Highlights for the adults were the nightly fires after the kids went to bed, the beach and just generally relaxing. The highlight for Cory was skiing and kneeboarding. It was an absolutely delightful long weekend with fantastic weather and great company! Beware of picture overload below.....

Fishing off the dock.

Matthew giggling with Grandpa.


Playing peek-a-boo with Grandma.



Allison and Joshua having a "private meeting for 6 year olds". Two peas in a pod.






Looking at pictures on Aunt Toni's computer.

A lovely raccoon pelt modeled as a hat at the nature center.

Learning about bears at the nature center.

Matthew enjoying the beach.

Joshua and Sam going for a tube ride together.

Aiden wasn't so sure of the water.

Hanging out with Mazie on the boat.

Matthew's first tube ride!

We got to celebrate Aiden's 2nd birthday and Allison's 6th birthday while camping!

The whole crew with their popsicles from Aunt Toni.

Joshua and Grandpa building together.

The cousins had a great time creating moats and an intricate waterway system together on the beach.

Grandpa and Matthew on the beach.

Matthew proudly showing me his empty popsicle stick.

Our little fish. Seriously this is how Joshua spent the majority of his time when at the beach. It's hard to get this kid out of the water.

Hanging out in the water.

Matthew loved playing with Grandpa in the water!

The men cooking the pizzas on the fire.

Grandpa snuck up on Matthew!

Matthew and Aiden playing together.

Joshua loves to get thrown in the water.....here he is mid-throw!

More cooperative building!

Matthew and daddy having fun together.

Ready to watch the fireworks!

Matthew on a mission to get more water.

Cousins building and Matthew trying to sneak up and surprise Grandpa.

Shawn waves as he goes by, showing off that he can now kneeboard!

Cory kneeboarding.

Gabrielle was the first brave kid to try kneeboarding.....she was successful and loved it!

Posing for a picture before we went off to try Geo caching.

Hiking down the trail to find hidden box.

After not finding the first cache we had to hike a long ways to a second point to at least make the adventure worthwhile for the kids.

"Driving" the boat back to the campsite on the boat trailer.

Pop-its!

Matthew would throw one and after it popped he would laugh and laugh.

Relaxing around the fire and eating s'mores before bed. Perfect way to end a wonderful weekend of camping!