Typo Or Really Good Show?

I was pretty sure our local paper had a five star rating system for movies showing in town.

This must be the best movie EVER!!!



Happy Holiday!

It's a beautiful day to commemorate the birth of our country!

We all celebrate in different ways. Last night we went to the ski show at Fisherman's Inn. It wasn't particularly a July 4th theme but the date was close enough!

And today Jill is pulling weeds with Grandpa.

Later we're picking up KFC for supper with G and g. Enjoy the day People!



Random Remer

Now I find I have pictures from my phone to organize as well as from the camera since the iPhone camera is MUCH better than the one on that stinkin' Droid. So here a few from our vacation that had slipped through the cracks so far.

Kate and two of her nieces and nephews.

Maya wanting to carry Charlie.

Kate with Charlie and Maya.

And Maya playing Big Cousin...with a little help!



Who's Behind Those Foster-Grants?!

Mom and Dad had eye appointments yesterday and, of course, they had their eyes dilated.

I tried to get Mom to pick out a new pair of frames but she wasn't going for it!

We did all agree on ice cream on the way home, though. So we introduced the old folks to Cherry Berry. They were happiest with us just building a concoction for them and I think it was a hit!

Isn't that nice that it's right down the street from them now?!



The Last Day

We saved our boatride tour of the lake for Friday of vacation. Jon was giving rides too!

We saw quite a bit of wildlife on our spin into the backwaters. There was the Pink Ladyslipper...

...a loon on her nest...

...several blue herons...

...and a bald eagle.

We think it was a batch of otters poking their heads up at one point in front of the boat but they were too quick to get a picture of.

The weather turned gloomy so we decided to head into Grand Rapids to see... 

...Mike and Sully in Monsters University. You shoulda seen the size of our popcorn bags!

It was scattered showers so when we got back it was nice enough for a little last day play at the beach. Natalie and Harvey wanted a ride on Brian's sailboard so Jon gave them each a turn.

 

And by the end of the evening the weather took a turn again. The sky kept getting darker and darker but Jon and Mindy went out fishing anyway. Wasn't long and they were hightailing it to shore because it just poured!

I'd have to say it was a great vacation. There were bugs and a little rain but for the most part it was a very fun week with almost all the family. A tip of the hat to Tony who had to stay back for work and G and g who we talked to at least once every day. Far away in distance but always close in our thoughts!



Still More Vacation

We old gals did the cooking last Thursday so I don't have many pictures from then. Too bad the movie camera wasn't going when, after I tripped the breaker while whipping up the deviled eggs, I reset the switch with the mixer sitting by itself in the bowl and turned on. It practically launched itself and certainly flung egg filling all over the place! We did find time to go into the ice cream shoppe though. Maya and Natalie had the Superman flavor and guess what color it had in it!

We got really lucky with the weather again. The sky and radar was looking more and more threatening towards the end of our evening meal and I'm glad we took Kate's suggestion to be pro-active instead of re-active because just as we hauled the last of our supper stuff inside it started to rain...a LOT! The good thing? A beautiful rainbow!

We'd brought a fair amount of activities along for if it was a rainy week. Since we didn't have much opportunity to get them out we grabbed this one and brought out the Flubber.

 

It's a homemade thing similar to Silly Putty. Easy to make and fun to squish into different shapes!



Just Another Day Near The Beach

I got another picture of three out of four greats.

Two of them went to check out Grandpa Alan's big fish.

The swings remained a popular activity!

Harvey is right in style wearing his pants low and showing off his fancy underthings.

The three big kids worked pretty hard at the beach before we headed off to Zorbaz for supper in Grand Rapids.

Between all of us we have quite a few floaties...and in case of weather overnight we store them in Jill's truck. The doors almost didn't close!



Charlie was a good little diner. Oh, and Jill was too!

This is probably the best picture I'll have of the four cousins.

Being at the beach is a lot of fun. But it can be therapeutic too. Becky took the opportunity to "ice" her new knee.

A Most Pleasant Day

We've been really lucky with the weather. Ten days out it looked to be low 70's and sunny. As we got closer to vacation it started looking more and more stormy. In reality it's been sunny enough and plenty warm! Swimming has been a pleasant pastime...even for Charlie.

Not too sure what he thought of it at first but I think it got to be an okay thing.

Maya has taken to the water just like a fish. Sometimes Mommy has to tell her which way the paparazzi is coming from.

And speaking of fish, there seem to be some very exotic species in this lake. We've spied orcas and sea lions!

Harvey got a turn at driving the boat as we wound down our day on Tuesday of watersports.

We took the opportunity for a group picture as some of the gang had to leave early today. What a handsome bunch, don't you think?

It was a perfect evening for a little fun in the meadow. We had stuff for big bubbles which Jon got stuck "blowing".

Brian took the best photo of bubbles in action!

Just when I thought the day was pretty much over Jon took off into the sunset for a little kayak training run.

Charlie seems to get left out of a lot of things since he spends a lot of time sleeping but, take my word for it, he's in good spirits when he's awake!

 



Summer Fun

Boat rides are always fun...especially when they're packed to the gills!

Three of the seafaring souls.

We spent a lot of time in the water on Monday. Some swam at the beach here at the resort. Jon was able to coax Harvey to jump in from the dock.

Being in the water is thumbs up from Maya!

All of us "swam" at Mabel Lake just down the road from here. It's got a really nice sandy bottom and doesn't seem to ever get very deep.

 

Natalie and Grandma Cher played on the shoreline.

And back at the camp that evening Maya just keeps going back to that swing!

Jon took Mindy, me and the kids on a boat ride before bedtime.

The kids found lilypads to study and Harvey kept a keen eye out for pirates! ;)

Very peaceful evening at the beach...

...and a pretty sunset to boot!