Sturgeon Bay Vacation

For the second year in a row, my parents rented a cottage on the shores of Sturgeon Bay, and invited us to come along.  Last year was fun, but Nathan and Natalie both got really sick, I was a queasy pregnant lady, and Todd was only able to join us for a few days.  What a difference a year makes!  This year we were all healthy, Danielle is a sweet 6 month old, and Todd was able to take the whole week off.  It was SUCH a delightful week. It was relaxing in every way. Only one day was rainy, and Todd took Nathan on a special father-son trip to an indoor water park. The rest of the time we relaxed, played on the beach, made s'mores, climbed the dune down the street from the cottage, cooked simple meals, read books, and soaked up as much of Michigan summer as humanly possible. Mom and Dad watched the kids one evening so Todd and I could sneak off to Petoskey Brewing Company for date night.  I came back home feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. What a gift! 

Relaxing Weekend Escape

In mid-November we headed up to Northport for the weekend.  We stayed at Florence and Basil's house, and for a glorious two days we had absolutely no agenda.  On Saturday it rained all day, and we just hung out at the house and played with the kids.  This was the first time that Natalie felt totally and completely comfortable with Grandma and Grandpa, and spent a ton of time plopped on Florence's lap reading books.  We let Nathan pick out a movie to rent on Saturday evening, which is how we got stuck watching Alvin and the Chipmunks, Chipwrecked.  It wasn't good, but Nathan loved it and thought it was hilarious.  I loved listening to his big belly laughs and silly giggles. :)

On Sunday it was beautifully sunny and warm.  We went over to the cottage and wandered around in the woods and on the beach.

Natalie still falls down a lot while she's walking, but it doesn't phase her.  She's so excited to participate in what everyone else is doing!

Such a cutie

Writing his name in the sand

Todd worked with Nathan a bit on riding the bike that Nancy got at a garage sale this summer.  Nay actually got on it and worked on pedaling!  Trust me, that is big progress...this kid has been REFUSING to pedal anything for a long time.

Nathan got frustrated and abandoned the bike.

 Then he took charge of his sister's stroller!