5 Little Girls....Who want to be Cowgirls!

 Miles and Miles of Smiles.  These 5 girls had a great time spending the evening together.  We shared smiles, laughs, energy, and fun times with our friends.  These kiddos know how to have a good time!

Summer Days Recap

What is the true measure of a fabulous summer day....

well, it is quite simple.... 

Make breakfast, taste some batter, relax with the breeze coming through the sliding door, read some books, water the flowers, play outside, smile, giggle, snuggle (repeat often), have lunch outside, play some more, fold laundry together, read books, nap, craft time, bike ride, cook dinner for Daddy, have evening fun, get dirty in the yard, top it off with a bubble bath....be so tired that they can't make it through story time.....Life is Good.....WITH THE GIRLS! .... all in the quiet comforts of the country!

Island Excitement!

 It was an unforgettable time at Mackinac Island.  There is such an special feel on the island, it almost like a trip into the past.  The mood is calm and the scenery is beautiful!  It was tough to decided what to do while we were there!  The ferry ride was a great start to the adventures. One of my favorite aspects of the island is that there are no cars, so we opted to rent bikes and tour around the island. The girls were troopers considering all the places we rode. 

We enjoyed the delicious and "fancy" as the girls called it....lunch at The Grand Hotel.  I appreciated the style in the hotel that captures the feel of times gone by. From the outfits of the staff, the decorating, and details, it was like a journey back in time.  Tessa and Ella loved drinking from their tea cups. They both rose to the occasion and were little ladies!

We were fortunate to find a nice quiet park by the water and we all took a nap, the girls took a longer nap and this was the fuel they needed for the afternoon times!  Kevin chauffeured us on a tour by renting a self-driven buggy. Our horse was named June and moved at her own speed, it was relaxing and fun for all of us.  It was island enjoyment sprinkled with laughs, smiles, giggles, hugs, and many family memories! 

AARRG! Matey!

 Pirate Theme Night!  The kids...and the adults....enjoyed the evening of walking the plank, seeing how many people were there from each state, and some singing and dancing!  It is always fun to get into costume and live it up!  FUN MEMORIES!

The Race is On!

The Annual Kids Bike Race was a success! The kiddos looked cute as always and they all had a great time.  It was also nice having the lake in the background.  Kevin was so encouraging to the girls and I was cheering them on....one of us is a bit more competitive minded then the other??? Hmmm???

The girls did great, they loved their medals, and Tessa realizes that there is a difference in them, she got one made of metal and the others were plastic, she was proud but humble with here win!  One of the many joys of the camping trip!

Craft Time, Beach Time, Family Time!

 Look at those smiles!  I want to press the pause button, savor it all, but knowing that is impossible.... Instead, we are thankful everyday, feeling blessed, and know that God is good!

The kiddos were knee deep in the crafty items and then they were neck deep in the sand.  It was a sunny and fun-filled day! They were so exhausted by the end of the day, and they smelled of sunscreen even after their showers, now in terms of the "good day scale", it was a high rating for all of us! 

Camping Near the Water

 We were very excited to arrive in Mackinac City and see the beautiful water and area we are staying at.  There is such a calm feeling that I get when I get near the water, it seems to put me in a lower gear and I seize the moments.  Moments of peace in the presence of family!  Good times await!

The girls, Tony, and I couldn't wait to get out feet in the water and to collect some rocks! The water was warm and their piggy toes looked adorable in the sand and water.  They seem to like the water like Kevin and I.  Ella asked if she could dive in, Tessa told her not to get hurt, she suggested finding treasure instead.....

Summer Library

It has become one of the summer joys that we look forward to.... "Library Time" the girls get to join the boys and the enjoy a story time...craft time... and then checking out some books.  Ella calls it "Liebary" time.  We started going when Tessa and Bryce were 3 and here we are 3 summers later.  I have taken a picture each year....how they have grown!  I never want to forget the look on their little faces as they walk to class....so simple, sweet, and still so little in my mind.  Then the highlight of their time....stamps and prizes for the book lists they have filled out. 

Then, Cheri' and I get to visit....always a time I look forward to, she is a dear friend and I look up to her in so many ways. I am thankful for the blessing of sweet friends for the girls and special friends for this Momma!

4th of July

 It was a fabulous 4th of July!  The four of us headed to St. Joseph Michigan to enjoy some time at the beach and some relaxation as a family.  It was hot and the water was really refreshing.  There were simple joys for the day..... picnic lunch, playing in the sand & water, many giggles, riding the carousel, walking and enjoying dinner in the lake town, and of course ice cream! Ella wanted her favorite flavor "Banillia" Tessa played in the water until she her skin was a like a prune. By the end of the day we were sun-kissed, smelled of Coppertone, and we were exhausted....translation....it was a GREAT DAY!