First Days of School

Zach started 1st Grade and Meg started 3rd grade on Tuesday. Of course they both had gym the first day so Chris took pictures on the second day as well so we could see how cute they look in their uniforms.

Tourist for a day...

Friday we had a great time at the Bears Family Night. We're looking forward to Football starting back up.

Sunday we were Chicago Tourists for a day. We got there early, shopped a little and did lunch at Billy Goat. We really enjoyed their children's show, The Emperor's New Clothes. After the show the sun came out so we rode the ferris wheel and did some of the other rides.

Vacation - Point Betsie

Thursday night we did a fire on the beach at Point Betsie, thus checking off an item that had been on Chris' to do list for many years. We watched the sunset, made rock art and toasted marshmallows for s'mores with the lighthouse for a backdrop, it was very beautiful.

Vacation - Glen Arbor

Thursday morning we got up bright and early to take the cousins kayaking on Crystal River. We took a longer trip this year. It was 2 1/2 hours. The kids did great on the river and we enjoyed a relaxing journey through nature.

Grandma, Grandpa and Aunt Jenny joined us for lunch after our trip and we spent some time in Glen Arbor.

Vacation - ISEA Cruise

Wednesday, while Elizabeth, Grandpa, Grandma and Aunt Jenny enjoyed the Crystal Lake Art Fair, Chris and the kids took an education cruise on Lake Michigan.

The cruise was offered by ISEA and left from Traverse City. The kids learned about the lake and running a schooner. They got to hoist the sails and pull up the anchor. They seemed to have a great time.

Vacation - Sleeping Bear Dunes

Tuesday the kids did the Dune Climb, then we all cooled off at Esch Road Beach.

Wednesday we took the cousins on the Sleeping Bear Dunes Scenic Drive. After the drive we checked out a new beach at North Bar Lake.

Vacation - Platte Lake

Early Saturday morning we left the flooded lands of Brookfield and headed north. We met the Spanglers, Grandma and Grandpa and Aunt Julie at Arcadia Daze on the way up. That night Uncle Todd, Aunt Debbie and Cousin Tanner joined us for dinner and took the kids kneeboarding.

Sunday after Mass we relaxed at Empire's Beach and that night the kids got to go kneeboarding again. This time Meg was quite the trickster. She figured out how to do a 360 on the kneeboard and proceeded to do 7 of them!