Traversing in Traverse City

We enjoyed a fun weekend up in Traverse City. The campground was right across the street from the bay. Keaton was actually looking forward to going camping with us for a change...because Elizabeth came with us. We spent some time enjoying the beach and exploring Traverse City. We did a lot of bike-riding...riding over 8 miles one day! Cyrus had a rough night the first night when it stormed. He didn't know what to do and we pulled an all-nighter trying to calm him down. But, the rest of the weekend's weather was perfect and he enjoyed lots of walks (luckily we had lots of plastic bags). Keaton and Elizabeth went to the mall one afternoon to find some clothes for senior pictures and Keaton came home with a new hybrid. (It's a golf club for you non-golfers.  That might be kind of hard to wear though.) We headed over to the Sleeping Bear Dunes after dinner out one night (since we were up north, we HAD to have whitefish...I think it's required in northern Michigan). Matt was proud to be able to leave his initials on the pinball game at the restaurant. (Nerd.) We tried to enjoy a nice sunset, but the clouds rolled in and blocked our view. Keaton had another milestone...he drove home from Traverse City without us on Sunday so Elizabeth could go to band camp (this one time at band camp...). Matt and I enjoyed some alone time with Cyrus and went out to visit a lighthouse on the peninsula. We came home on Monday afternnon and were able to get the motor home emptied before the rain came. It was another great weekend and Keaton was happy to have us back home...or maybe he was just happy to have the junk food back. We asked Elizabeth what she thought of camping and she said our motor home was just like an apartment. That's my kind of camping, though...air-conditioning, ice-maker, and my vacuum.

Karie & Krew

Karie and her entourage came for a visit last weekend. The time went by quickly, but we tried to pack in as much fun as we could. Karie and krew arrived and caught us having margaritas. Karie joined right in and caught up quickly. The kids jumped right in the pool so we didn't have to worry about baths that night! Friday night was a late night playing spoons with the kids. On Saturday, we headed over to Matt's company picnic and enjoyed ourselves...despite the rain. The kids liked the crafting area making sand art and balloon animals. Karie and I LOVED the crafting area because it was the only covered shelter so we didn't get soaked. McKenna fell in love with Elizabeth and they had to get matching tattoos (I think I've been replaced as McKenna's favorite!). We had originally planned to head over to the Coast Guard Festival in Grand Haven and visit Eric, but the weather didn't look like it was going to cooperate, so we hung out at our house instead. Keaton and Elizabeth took the kids to Meijer so they could get some yarn and then they spent hours making bracelets. Karie and I headed to Hobby Lobby to hit the 90%-off clearance aisle and loaded up my vehicle...with Karie's stuff, not mine. I kept my shopping to a two-bag minimum!

On Sunday, we headed to the mall and were disappointed to learn the climbing wall that Hunter was planning to conquer was closed...for good. Then, another blow came when McKenna learned that Libby Lu's (her girly, glittery store) was also closed. They handled their disappointment well, though, and decided to focus on back-to-school shopping. While the rest of the group was checking out sales in one store, Matt took McKenna to a "girls-only" store. Matt was the perfect personal shopping cart and just followed her around the store while she browsed and grabbed anything off the rack she liked and handed it to him to carry. Needless to say, when we arrived about 15 minutes later, he had two armfuls FULL of clothes. The only comment Matt had was, "We never did find a shirt to match this red skirt." It was too funny!! McKenna had to buy a BFF (Best Friends Forever) necklace to give to Elizabeth before she left. I'm a little jealous and think I may have been replaced. I guess I'll just have to stock my pantry with even more goodies the next time they visit and win her back!! Hmmm...maybe even a new puppy would help to make me the favorite again!!