Every year for the 4th of July we head up to Tracy's family cottage in Glen Arbor Michigan. They have been going up there for their summer vacation since she was two with her aunts family and all the cousins. Its heaven on earth and Tracy's favorite place on earth (seriously!).
We even stay in the same cottage they used to rent and we are fairly sure that NOTHING has changed in 50 years (which is not a good thing). This year there was black mold in the bathroom and the water heater kept leaking ... but... its a cottage and we really dont spend much time IN it. The whole point is to be outside, with family - mission accomplished.
This year, Tammy (Tracys sister) offered to take the kids for a few days and bring them up when they came up on Wednesday. At 1st we thought "no, thats too much trouble". But then...the thought of 3 whole days without the kids, on vacation, doing stuff WE love was much too tempting. So... we drove the 12 hours through Chicago and dropped the kids on Tammy's doorstep. Slowed slightly, kicked them out of the car and kept heading north.
It was heaven. We hiked, kayaked, biked to a brewery, had a Chubby Mary, walked around Leeland, cooked fabulous dinners, ate Bunny's yummy cabbage rolls (Tracy's request) and basically got a kid free start to our vacation. We are ETERNALLY grateful as I am sure the kids are too because...
They got to hang out, swim, play basketball, go to Joey's baseball game and basically get some pretty serious junk food and cousin time. Win. Win.
Then, on Wednesday, all chaos defended and Tammy (and all the kids) and Jami (with her family) pulled in for the long 4th of July weekend.
What can we say that hasn't already been said in past year blogs? Its basically a cut/paste of last year and we wouldn't have it any other way. Tons of competitions (home run derby, thunder, nucom, spike ball, tubing, cards) as well as conversation (sports seasons, college thoughts, driving lessons, school, friends, crushes..) all the stuff teenagers talk about. The kids all get along brilliantly, we all share food/dinner duty and its SO much fun.
Here is our week in photos. Honestly, its etched in our hearts.
As you walk the 1 1/2 mile trek of Day Forest Road, you get to see everyone's true loyalties. 
Yep, walking in the rain with a Pooh umbrella
Sunsets with Sleeping Bear Dunes in the background are awesome
My favorite view, the 1st one of the lake as you drive in 
Salmon spawn here each year in Leeland
Leland is a fishing town
A smoked Chubby Mary with a local beer chaser 
The cottage is literally on the edge of the Sleeping Bear National Forest
Day Farm - always reminds me of the salad dressing commercial
Its hard to tell here but this was a 45 degree hill that went on forever on our way to the brewery 
We earned it! A VERY hilly 90 min bike ride
Another gorgeous evening.
The dunes in the day time
Hanging out at the end of the dock chatting 
The BEST 4th of July parade in all of the US
One year we'll march in this 
These guys had to be hot
I loved the float of the dunes
Looking cute and looking for candy 
They hand out fresh cherries!
Lake Michigan is up 13" and still damn cold but Jimmy loves it! 
Spike Ball tourney 
Jeff's idea of air conditioning, open the freezer and run the fan
We hiked up Alligator Hill and our local photographer took in the sights
EVERYONE jumps off this bridge
3 years ago
Celebrating Kay's birthday a bit early 
Celebrating Billys Gotcha Day with Brownies 
A re-enactment of the above photo - proportions are still "right" 
For his Gotcha Day Billy wanted to see the sunset from the dunes. It was stunning!! 
WAY more than a 45 degree angle down to Lake Michigan 
Amazing.
Jimmy and Georgia
The kids end of the table 
Georgia and Grandma Bunny 
Jimmy and Herbie 
The girls, Kara, Georgia and Kay - they are all 16;)
Tracy and Jeff
Joey, Georgia, Tom and Billy
Jimmy and Jeff 
Shrimp boil by the lake
Waiting on the parade with yummy sandwiches and cold drinks 
Kurt
Jeff, Kara and Herbie
Grandpa Jim
Joey and Jimmy
Joey, Billy, Jimmy and Herbie 
Kara and Georgia 
The crew 
Tom, Kurt, Auntie Lynn and Jami 
Jami, Reece, Billy and Tracy (Billy, Rece and Joey are all 14)
Kayaking - kid free! 
Billy
Paddle boarding 
Paddle boarding with Grandma 
