Vaca!

I'm technically still on vacation since I don't go back to work until next week (I do sneak in tomorrow to catch up on emails, though!) But this will be dedicated to (mostly) our trip to Lake Michigan.

First, a couple shots from the day before we left:

Wm at the pool with neighborhood friends

Flip enjoying his new teepee

We got on the road before 9am, which wasn't too bad. Flip was really good in the car!! So was Wm. We stopped every couple hours for kid and dog to stretch their legs and ate Chipotle in a beautiful park in Ann Arbor.

Buds on a roadie

Snoozin' together

Chipotle in the park

We stayed in a new place this time (3rd trip!) We rented a farmhouse in Northport. It wasn't as close to the beaches as places we've stayed, but I think the grounds more than made up for it! Here are the views:

You can see the lake and the dunes!

Other direction: cherry farms

Little tiny barn on premises

The actual farmhouse

Wm taking in the view

Wm in front of the barn

Sadly, the bedrooms only had full sized beds. After my king sized bed, this was a major letdown. But the mattress was amazingly comfortable and the sheets were like butter! Wm was relegated to an air mattress on the floor of our bedroom. But, he said it was comfy! He seemed to sleep well...

Out like a light

Flip had the grandest time a dog could have. He loved romping around all the land and swimming and digging.

Dog heaven

There was a huge picnic table with fire pit thing. Wm loved eating out there! And that also allowed us to enjoy s'more multiple evenings. Wm and I had evidence of s'mores:

Hard to see, but he's covered in marshmallow!

Marshmallow chin whisker!

Then, Wm decided to decorate Steve:

Hey, pretty lady!

Good sport dad

Steve and Wm went kayaking one morning. Flip wasn't pleased to be left behind.

FAMILY! Don't go!!

Forced to eat another stick to calm down

Worked.

We got to do lots of gorgeous hiking, went into cute small towns to poke around, went to the beach, and, basically, loafed around and enjoyed ourselves and our down time. This is the third time we've been to Michigan with Grandma and we all decided that this place may have been our favorite. You couldn't beat all the land to frolic and the country livin'! We did hit an unprecedented heat wave (that followed us home), so the last day was HOT. And the water was too cold for real swimming, so it was a bind! But we went on a cool hike in the shaded forest-y area, drove around and saw the sights in our air conditioned car, and went out for dinner and ice cream with Grandma and Grandpa. Still, as with every vacation, we're all glad to get home, get a shower, and sleep in our own beds! It was especially so for Steve, who had a nasty cold the whole time we were there. Bad timing!! But, he made the best of it during the day and, really, only the nights were tough for him. And he's feeling much better now!

Wm on a hike

Actually found candy cigarettes in a little town candy store! Wm taking up smoking

Steve and Flip on a hike

Steve and Flip exploring the shore in Northport

I also got some good videos of beach times...

First, Flip swimming for his stick:

Then, Flip trying to burying the stick in the sand:

And, last, Wm taking a cue from Flip:

Uncle Drew and Aunt Jess and kiddos arrived yesterday! So, we get so spend the rest of the week with them, which will be awesome! And Wm soon heads up to spend a week in NEO with Grandma and Grandpa (and Uncle Mike, Aunt Amy, Tyler, Andrew, and Yaya!) AND we are having the entire interior of our house painted the week he's gone. So, lots of updates to come!