Kids like dirt

Awhile back we got rid of our old play set, bought a new one and moved it to the other side of the yard.  So we were left with a big mulched area that I used for my garden earlier this spring.  Now we want to clean up, seed and turn it all into grass (moving my garden next spring to a spot with a little more sun).....anywho, that work should be done later this week but in the meantime the kids have had a field day 'gardening' and throwing dirt at each other.  Yesterday they (along with their neighbor friends) played outside for a good 2-3 hours....making rolly-polly farms, erecting a shrine to the good ole USA (obviously) and general good dirt fun.   Remind me again why we're getting rid of this?

We're still here!

Barely, in blogging terms, but we're still here.  I blame it on the 'good' camera.  I really should start busting it out more often, like I did today and hence this post.   Which we'll call 'Emerson and a tire swing'.    Reese and Emerson spent probably 30 minutes playing together on this thing today.....

And when my super slow laptop is done, I'll follow up with a post we'll call 'a bunch of kids and a big pile of dirt = hours of happy playtime so mom can cook and watch football'......stay tuned.

Michigan

In no less than 60 pictures or so.  Two years ago we took our first extended family vacation with my folks, my sister and brother and their respective families.  We went to Destin, FL - it was gorgeous and hard to beat......until Michigan.  We all unanimously voted it was the best yet.  Nothing beats Michigan weather in the summer, not to mention it is only 6 hours away.  Emerson was just happy to be forward facing for the trip, it was a whole new world for her and the trip could've ended right there.

We settled on South Haven and this lovely little number below....

Our view from the front porch!  

And to get to the beach, all you had to do was cross the street and head down the beach access stairs.  You could be from front porch to lake in under 2 minutes.  

 And when the swimming was over, this park was just one house over.

 The walk into town and/or pier was 10 minutes....all residential streets and ideal for this stroller loving/coffee buying gal.  The company this vacation was top notch - the one thing lacking (or shall I say two) last time around were these two babes, Emerson and Elizabeth:

This year we had all our favorite peeps under one roof.

 The kids got into some serious 'Red Rover' games...

 Strategizing....

Ryan would run out of the way, Reesers took on all opponents.

Even Elizabeth got in on the action...

 Reese was a tad rough with the 'kick em when they run' move....rugged Red Rover.

 Heckling.

 Only attempted cousin pick....my brother and his kids had to leave early (boo!) so time got away from me to setup a proper photo shoot.   This is the best we could do.

 Down one man...

 Walking to the park...

 Is there anything better than heading to a park in your pajamas after dinner?

We were able to enjoy the 4th of July during our week up north.  And our house happened to be in prime position for watching the fireworks.  People camped out on the street in front of us all day and we had the luxury of not having to move an inch and enjoying the show from our front porch.  We have all decided this must become our annual 4th of July tradition (hint, hint mom and dad).  The kids enjoyed setting up their 'beach' on the front yard.

 The fireworks went off right over the pier....prime viewing

 Of course I don't have pics of the actual fireworks, but you can imagine....instead I leave you with these....  We'll just assume this was Emerson sad because she knew we had to leave....surely not a tantrum of some sort.

 A big thank you to my folks for making this all possible!!!  It couldn't have been better.

We will be back South Haven.....consider yourselves forewarned.