Michigan 2014

This July 4th weekend, we made a trip to "Uncle Louie's" (Steve's) in Michigan. Fortunately, we had perfect weather! The temperature was in the low 80's during the day and cooler in the evenings. We left our house Friday at 10:30 am and stopped in Toledo to eat lunch at Buffalo Wild Wings.

Then we got back on the road and had a really uneventful drive up. Seth was busy with his iPad, Isabelle with her iPod and Parker watched a movie. The kids could not have behaved better! We arrived at Steve's around 5:30 pm, got settled in, and ordered pizza for dinner. Mom and Dad (Grandma Barb & Grandpa Steve), Lori, Dave, Jon and Mary arrived there the previous night. Steve's house had plenty of room for all of us.

During the weekend, we spent a lot of time outside enjoying the pond, the four-wheelers and the trampoline. We also had our own private fireworks show put on by Uncle Louie.

The Relaxation Station (Steve, Isabelle, Parker, Shane)

Shane, Carrie, Isabelle, Seth, Lori

Parker Pie

Our family

Parker's first canoe ride (it has a motor on the back)

Izzy on the dock

We brought some toys with us

Sether

Isabelle

Mary and Jon

Dave and Lori

Lori, Millie and Jon

Shane and Isabelle

Dave

Seth and Isabelle and all the ducks named Harry

Feeding the ducks

All three kids in one photo!

We visited Breckenridge, the nearest Village, for ice cream. We also found some railroad tracks.

Ice cream in Breckenridge

The neighbor's dog, Bailey, spent the day at Steve's house. Seth and Isabelle had fun playing with her.

One of many fish Isabelle caught. She even put the worm on the hook herself!

The favorite thing of Parker's had to be the trampoline. He spent a lot of time jumping on it and just playing on it with toys.

Mom, Steve & Carrie

Photo bombed my Mom! And Lori!

A thank you present from the kids and Mom

Thank you Uncle Louie!!

Thank you, Uncle Louie!!!

On our way home Monday, we stopped at our first house in Toledo, then for ice cream in Perrysburg.

Then we were held up by a few traffic jams, a train, and very heavy rain. It took us 7 1/2 hours, but we made it and hope to go again next summer!

A Day at Big Splash

Our friends Shannon, Brady and Savannah went to Big Splash with us for a day! We had beautiful weather and everyone had a really good time. Since their visit with us last summer, we have been hoping that Brady would grow tall enough to go on the big slides this year. Turns out, he was just barely tall enough this year! He spent a lot of time on the slides and tried out the rock wall too. Parker and Savannah stayed in the shallow area and had fun jumping into the pool together.

Savannah (4) and Parker (3)

Seth (8) and Brady (6)

Chatting

Shannon and me

Friends

Mia's Graduation 2014

Our Niece Mia graduated from high school this year! This was fun because she graduated from the same high school as me, only 21 years later! We all attended her graduation party and ceremony and had a lot of fun.

Mia and her Dad, Anthony

Our super-cute cousin, Lilly, and Olivia in the background

Me with Mia

Water balloon toss!

Mia and her Grandparents

Sarah and her boyfriend, Jon

Stephen and Mia. Mia tells me this is their first photo together!

Shane, Mia and me

Cousins Mia and Izzy

Connor playing

Parker playing with the wind chimes

The graduation ceremony took place at The Nutter Center at Wright State University.

Entering the ceremony (Mia is the third from the left)

Mia in the last row

Captured Mia smiling

Getting excited to get her diploma

She did it!

The class of 2014

The toss of the caps!

Year End Awards

Isabelle received a few year end awards for 5th grade and was on the Honor Roll every quarter. We are very proud of her!

Here's a quick photo of Isabelle with her friend, Daisy, toward the end of the school year.