A long weekend is always fun, but it's even better in Michigan at the lake! John and I were so fortunate to be able to go back and spend the weekend with our families- and we were able to squeeze some time in with great friends too! Our travels were rocky- both there and back- but I suppose it was just a test of our patience! We were supposed to fly out of Charlotte early Friday morning, and we got on the plane, sat there for a bit and then they announced that there were mechanical problems and everyone on board needed to re-route themselves! John schmoozed the airline workers and got us the next flight out and seats with leg room! So we arrived in Michigan later than we wanted- but not too late for a boat ride and some pool time!
A couple weeks ago, the girls went to a strokes class at MVP and they are unbelievable little swimmers now! I was told Lauren was the one who taught everyone- and she did a pretty incredible job! All of them are trying breast stroke, freestyle, back stroke and butterfly- plus a few that John and I had never heard of before but they're teaching in classes now!
Monreau is still a little dare devil! Trying to keep up with the "big kids"she likes to try all of the tricks that they're trying- including being tossed and flipped by uncle John in the pool! Jacob's even on board with getting tossed now too!
Stennson is now two months old! It's crazy how grown up he seems now! He was smiling at everyone, and chatting some too! It's times like those that we miss being in Grand Rapids and around all the time!
Saturday was an awesome day! It was sunny and beautiful all day and lots of friends came to visit and spend time in the pool! My brother, sister and her friend came out early afternoon and showed everyone a fun game called 'Dibble Dabble' that everyone played the rest of the afternoon! Everyone stands on the edges of the pool and one person has a toothpick or golf tee, or some small object that floats. They toss the object in the pool and then cannonball on it so it gets lost in the waves, then when someone on the side of the pool sees it, they jump in to get it. It's harder than it sounds and made for some good pictures! :)
These boys made it to the other side of the pool in one jump!!
Even I participated!! Monreau was playing as well and there was one point where there were several kids playing and at least 6 adults who couldn't find the golf tee- all of the sudden Monreau said "I see it!" and jumped in. We all thought she was imagining things since nobody else saw it- and she came up with the tee in hand! Now thats a four year old who can hold her own!!
Girls in their goggles!
Later in the afternoon, Gerrik & Jayne and their boys came to join the pool party! We are so thankful to have them as friends and were so glad that we got to see them and their boys for a little while!! Once they arrived the older boys (John, Gerrik, Darren and Matt) started trying whether or not they could fit through a child's inflatable tube!
Everybody made it through except for Gerrik- who got stuck halfway! It's always fun for me to see John with a group of good guys like that- even if they are just goofing around!
We also got to go on a late afternoon boat ride- with an extremely cute captain- and when we got back to the cottage my parents were there!! It was fun to have both sides of my family all together! My mom loved holding Stennson- and we even got to sneak away for another boat ride!
Matt and McLleyton showing off their muscles at dinner!
Sunday it definitely cooled down! It was too cold for me to put my suit on (but that may be a result of my new southern blood!) but it definitely wasn't too cold to get some work done!
The guys took all of the toys out of the water, and after they were done, I walked out by the pool and these four were playing their own version of Dibble Dabble- the game they played all day on Saturday with the kids! And of course, the kids jumped in for one final swim of the summer!
Sweet Jacob LOVES the water- what two year old likes to get tossed like this and come up smiling asking to do it again?? He has no fear and has definitely become a little fish this summer!
The Sunday of Labor Day weekend, my dad's side of the family always gets together up in Pentwater at my Aunt Susan's house- so John and I headed up there for the evening on Sunday. It's very casual, but it's always a fun time to re-connect with everyone! My cousin Erin had her baby last week, James and Melissa are due in another month, and we found out my cousin Jolanda (James' sister) is pregnant too- so there was a lot of baby talk and next summer will be the summer of babies in Pentwater!
It's amazing how much more fun life is with him!!
The sibs after a classic Malburg game of Michigan Rummy!!
Monday morning before we left, my mom wanted to snap a few family pictures, so Dylan stacked a couple of stools and put a tripod on top- but they actually turned out pretty good! Don't be surprised if you see one of these on the Christmas Card!
It was, yet again, another jam packed weekend in Michigan, but we wouldn't have traded it for anything! We got re-routed on our flight home due to storms, so spent a little bit of time in Raleigh before we made it Charlotte- but I would even do that again for this weekend! We are so blessed to both come from such wonderful families!!
Looks like so much fun, Kel! Wish we could've been there with you all!!
ReplyDeletewe have great kids!!!! so thankful you could be with us.
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