First Day Of Seperate Schools.

Well they headed off in different directions this year. It went smoothly as Brady was used to the routine but it was Brooke that was a bit nervous and requested parent accompaniment on drop off. She was excited but I could tell that she was still a bit unsure of what to expect. New building, locker combos, three schools merging into one. So in we went and off she went to experience her new home for the next two years.

 

Brooke - Fifth Grade

Brady - Second Grade

Long gone are the days of my Alex P. Keaton and his sweater vests.

Apparently in 5th grade you need to have attitude....

and in second grade you apparently try to do everything your older sister does.

Lets Do This....

Have to do it.....

Mr. cool.....had a great first day!

All in one place.

Michigan, Washington, Illinois, Arizona.......

It's been a long time since we were all put in one place for a period of time.

Family Reunion 2014 - Pine Lake, Michigan.

I think Mellow is actually smiling (probably because Roxy didn't make the trip)

 

The new toy....

This was a face of one young girl who was very excited to sneak attack her uncle.

This is one uncle who doesn't go down without a fight.

And this is one little brother who is always willing to help out with this one cause.

 

Grandma time.

 

My long lost brother who didn't tell me he was a celebrity and currently on Duck Dynasty. He even has his own bobble head.

Still got it....

First time up!

The girl posse, got a long great! 

A dream come true all her grand kids in one spot, and her Christmas card picture done in August!

The original fab five....

 

 

Jake getting a quick workout in.

Beauty shop...

His happy place.

Cousins....

Gorgeous darh-ling.....Gorgeous.

First flips....

Plainfield Ice cream shop stop....check out the creepers in the window....

So I had this amazing game of shaving cream and cheese balls that seemed like a great idea, and it was as long as you were watching and not participating. Live and learn.

The stomach was much more comforting than getting pelted in the face with a cheese ball.

Who saw this coming?????

Hanging out by the campfire.

Another brilliant idea I brought to the table we had 100 of these we burned the first one and then the second one took us 20 minutes to get up in the air, now I have 98 sitting in my garage.

Backgammon was present all weekend....

Brady kept Grandpa's throwing arm busy.

 

Hope it won't be that long before we can make it happen again!

Mackinac Island

We were able to get up to Mackinac Island this year, something that has been on the kids "summer list" for two years now......better late than never. We were also lucky enough to have Grandma and Grandpa join us on the adventure......

 

Mr. Michigan.

He is like a walking billboard.

A quick stop at Petoskey for lunch on the way up.

I would like to say this is how we traveled up there, unfortunately just spectators of this lovely mode of transportation.

We made it!

There are a lot of repeat pictures with our family and then with Grandma and Grandpa I like to include them all just to point out the differences in clothing. "We are not in Arizona anymore Dorothy!"

Hotel pool is always a plus, however this year it was a BIG DEAL. This marks the first time Brady jumped in a "deep end" unassisted and swam to the side. People, if you only knew what a feat this was you will understand the 40 pictures that will later follow. HUGE STEP! He now understands what he has been missing out on, we couldn't pull him out of there.

We went to go see a lumberjack competition, which was random and very entertaining.

Low and behold look what girl was asked to be part of the show.....They had to see who could yell "timber" the loudest and longest......shoe in, right? We all know she can take this hands down, but her embarrassment gene took over.

The bridge......just missed the sunset.

The next day we ventured over to the Island.

It was a chilly ride over as the weather was not going to cooperate until the afternoon

Anchor's away....

Bikes, Flowers, and Fudge.....That is Mackinac

In my parents defense it was a bit cold that morning.......Is that a reserve coat hanging off her purse? A backup to the winter coat she is wearing?

This is what my house was supposed to look like this year, but I guess buying fake flowers for my hanging baskets ain't gonna cut it.

Nice lunch out by the water.

Making some stops around the island on our bike tour.

Suns out = winter coats shedded!

Their Blair Witch Project contribution.

Brady testing out his rock climbing skills.

 

Off we go....

Visiting the sidewalk before the "Grand Hotel" like common folk. One day.......

Brooke's only comment was "why does this phone have a cord?"

Back to the city......

And back to you know what.......

Brooke gained a whole new playmate at the pool this year!

Can't forget all the souviner shopping....

Drove over the bridge.

Visited the mighty Mac.

I lost count how many ice cream cones these kids devoured.

This was a united front to cheer on their team to victory. The boys watching the game in the hotel before dinner....