Up North

Allison, Connor and Ella search for the perfect rock

The Homestead, Glen Arbor, MI

We made it to the lake.   

Cousins

Ella checks out a baby turtle.

Last week Craig took a few days off and on Friday we headed up to Glen Arbor for the weekend.  We kicked off the mini vacay by going to Sleeping Bear Dunes.  Our entire family and my mom made the hike from the top of the dunes all the way to the beach.  It was a beautiful walk, but exhausting for all of us.  I had Ella on my back, Craig carried Connor on his shoulders and Allison walked.  After making it back to the car we were tired and hungry, so we headed to Boone Docks in Glen Arbor for dinner and then ice cream.  We shopped around a bit, made our annual stop at The Cherry Republic and then headed to our condo at the Homestead.  After we got the kids to bed, Craig and I went out for a few drinks without kids.  We figured we should take advantage of the fact that my parents were sharing a condo with us:)  Saturday  we went for a quick hilly run, went out for breakfast, and then took the kids swimming.  After a quick swim we headed back to the condo to go ready for my cousin's wedding.  The wedding was in Traverse City and was beautiful!  It was great to see family and friends.  Then we took the kids out for dinner and headed to Crystal Lake and then to the drive in theatre, which was a lot of fun.  They were showing Kung Fu Panda 2.  The kids had a ball.  It didn't start until 10, so we didn't get back to the condo until 12:30!  Sunday we slept in a bit, had breakfast, and walked on the beach.  It was a wonderful trip.  We ended the weekend with a stop at my parents' house to celebrate Father's Day.  The kids all went kayaking and my cousins found lots of baby turtles.  The kids were in heaven, to say the least!

Last day of Kindergarten

Where did the year go?  It is hard to believe that the kindergarten year is officially over.  Allison was extremely lucky to have been in Mrs. McIntosh's classroom this year.  It is amazing what Allison has learned in 9 months.  Allison was in tears at the end of school...the beginning and ending of school can be stressful.  I know that she is excited for the summer and all the fun we have planned, but it is always hard to start something new.  Here are a few shots from the beginning and the end.

Allison's first day of kindergarten-Sept. 2010

So excited for school

Last day of school (Rodeo Day) with her teacher, Mrs. McIntosh

Allison with her good friend, Emma

Allison on her last day of kindergarten.  She is officially a first grader!

May Fun

GG's birthday

GG opens her presents

Tess and Connor climbing up the ladder to the slide

Allison and Madeline

Connor and Tess

Ella loved Tess too!

Allison and Madeline

Ella loves her cupcake

Tess and Connor

Bagger Daves-Tess and Connor coloring

Madeline and Allison

The crew minus James

 

The Breton Downs Girls

Allison and Emma

Cousins

Genevieve and Connor

The kids having fun with a walker and wheel chair they found

kayaking

Anna and Allison

Cousins

GG takes out Connor and Rosalee

Ella and Genevieve with GG

Connor has learned how to paddle.

Rosalee and I go for a ride

MV, Allison and Anna

Cousins

Ella and Genevieve enjoying some strawberry shortcake

The stingrays at the zoo

Allison and Emma

Ella attempts to pet a stingray

Feeding the birds

The birds liked Craig

Ready for a boat ride

Summer time boat ride

Ella  is ready

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Connor helps GG

Papa and Ella are ready for the ride

Relaxing

It has been a while since I last blogged, so I have a lot of fun pictures from the last month.  We ventured to Ann Arbor to see some good friends and attend Madeline's 5th birthday party, celebrated my mom's and my birthday, had Allison's poetry celebration day and went to the zoo.  We have been busy lately and have been having lots of fun.  Here is a glimpse of the last month.