Summer Trip to Michigan

August is the BEST time to visit Michigan (and Grandpa). Beautiful blue skies, the freshest vegetables, and warm lakes to swim in. And apparently it's a good time to...





Learn to shoot a bb gun?


And spy on the neighbors?




And head to the lake...






to splash around!







Bloggers note: Finally have my new software installed and am SLOWLY figuring it out. So the first batch of shots are SOC, the second and third I enhanced in Lightroom and the last are a Lightroom preset that I tried (I liked the old-school look for these since they reminded me of my childhood on the lake but don't think it is my go-to look for all). LOTS to learn...

Summer

What a perfect time to reminisce about summer...when the leaves have fallen, the temperatures drop and we're searching for our warm woolens.

This past summer was spent primarily at Pawley's Island where Allan and the kids helped my sister-in-law with house/dog sitting and in renovating her kitchen. I worked and met up with them on the weekends and for my summer vacation.

The Pawleys routine went something like this...low tide crabbing, playing games and entertaining on the dock...high tide gearing up and taking the john boat to the "end" (the point on Litchfield beach that overlooks Pawleys). Evenings at Brookgreen Gardens. Throw in a couple of parties (including a reprise of Maclaren's 7th) with our "cousins" Reid and Kelsey and you get the picture.

For a full visual click here.

Bloggers note: I discovered my camera takes awesome video but for some reason (okay...user error) most of the filming took place sideways. So just kind of turn your head when you get to that part. Also, I still haven't figured out how to embed the video link (I think smug mug should work but haven't figured it out yet) so you'll be rerouted there for the "viewing".

Coming soon...

Summertime in retrospect.

Birthday Partay!

Click HERE to see some glimpses of the big day with family and dear friend Eleanor. Was a perfect day from our traditional breakfast & balloon celebration... to cake/presents at Nonnie's... to the pool-side after-party (including our neighbors). Our sweet pea is seven (going on 17??)!

Bloggers note: There are WAY TOO many shots of the cake. Not sure if it is because it was such a cute cake or because I spent WAY TOO much money on it (especially given the "creative" spelling of her name).

Back in Business!

After a summer hiatus and a computer crash, we are back in business with a new iMac (compliments of my hubby)! Just starting to figure out all of the features, already loving the productivity boost (hello, drag and drop!) and still pondering which photo editing software to purchase (first?). So until further notice, all posted pics will be straight out of camera. Can't wait to catch up from summer.

Back to Lake James

This time compliments of my dear friend Peggy. Maclaren and I enjoyed the weekend with Peggy and her family swimming, floating, tubing, skiing, eating (uh, Maclaren, how many Oreos did you just eat?), chatting, laughing. THE BEST! Here is our host Peggy...

Her twin sister Lynn... Her mom, Margaret... And the three of them because they are so beauty-ous!
Lynn's boys Patrick and Cole were great hosts to Maclaren and it is funny to see the boys vie for her attention (gummy worms and crazy antics usually do the trick). And I did sneak some shots of Don, Peggy's dad... Uncle Keith... And Aunt Rita (with the totally cool boat music...these folks know how to hang on a boat!!) It was a SUPER
FANTASTIC
TIME!

Memorial Day

...was rainy and gloomy. So we celebrated with a sleepover, a patriotic breakfast of blueberry pancakes with strawberries &whipped cream, and fun.

What's this kid smiling about?

Breakfast...

...Of...

...Champions! Sweet, sugary cereal straight from Cereal City, USA! A rare treat enjoyed during spring break at Lake James.

Flashback - Life Skill #1

Riding a bike. This past spring Maclaren ditched the training wheels. Angus is still happily chugging along with his. Here we are at my office park enjoying some beautiful weather and a mile-long ride/walk. At the end, the sun was blazing and the kids were sweating (and complaining). Thank goodness for free drinks at the Queen City Diner!

Great Friends...

...make great kids. Literally. Meet my dear friend Sarah's kids. They restore your faith in today's teenagers. Fun.
Sporty. (that's Maggie below, second rower in the green hat)

Generous. Thoughtful. And wearing age-appropriate clothing.

Anna and Maggie have rooms that are messy with clothing strewn about, unmade beds and last-minute homework. And I love that.

Andrew generously gives up his room for me when I visit and Angus was pleased to find over 200 trucks & cars, a Brio train set to rival Sodor Island and millions of legos tucked beneath the bed. Both kids are still talking about Andrew's "tractor pull" and the acres of yard (equals freedom).

Had to get a few extra close-up of Anna's choppers which were celebrating their first day without braces. Beautiful kids. Great parents. Best of friends. They make me feel lucky.