Something from Nothing

We didn't have plans this weekend. Our weekends have been pretty busy recently, so I was looking forward to a little relaxation. Saturday morning started out slowly, with the kids arising in their usual order: Greyson, Owen, Alayna, and MUCH later, Emerson. The kids pulled out Barbies and dolls and trucks and marbles and train tracks. There was no television-just four little kids, content to play with their toys and each other. I guess I was feeling a little adventurous, so I pulled out some crafts and paint and let the kids go to town, no help from me.



While Owen and Emerson kept their paint trays nice and neat, Greyson thought it would be a much better idea to mix everything together. End result:



This was Alayna's first time painting, and she couldn't resist painting herself a bit, and even sneaking a little taste:



I've said it before, but it doesn't take much to keep my kids happy. They had a great time with their art projects and I had fun seeing their creativity come to life.


On Sunday, we got an improptu invitation to play golf. I haven't played in over two years, and I jumped at the chance. We arranged for the kids to stay with our friends for the afternoon, and I dusted off my shoes and bag and we were off!





Luckily, it was a friendly game, complete with some fabulous Bloody Marys. It took me a few holes, but I eventually found my swing.



And Jason? He shot an impressive 73 for the day. I like to call him "show-off".



It was great to be out on the golf course again-I'd almost forgotten what THIS looked like:




We decided we didn't want the day to end, so we brought the party back to our house and invited a few more people over. You can't go wrong with pizza and good friends, right?





Oh, and did I mention beer?



The kids had a great time, too. Everyone got along perfectly.






It was a great weekend-the perfect mix of pajamas and crafts and sunshine and friends. There's talk of us Michiganders starting our own little Euchre club down here in Tennessee. There's talk of more golf-for the men AND the women. And, of course, there's talk of WHEN the next craft project will take place around the kitchen table. I encourage you to take some time out to enjoy the little things-make some memories of your own!

Something For Everyone

It was a good weekend.

Nana and Grandpa came for a visit, and they gave us all a fun-filled weekend. On Saturday, Jason and I got some much-needed adult time. And when we get this very infrequent time without kids, where do we go?

Nashville, BABY.

I can't say enough about how much I love being in Nashville. The lights on Broadway are always so enticing, the people are always a comfy mix of Tennessee natives and out-of-town tourists, and the music is always just my style. I frequent the same restaurants, have my favorite bands and bars, but the city never fails to surprise me. It's always slightly different from the times before.

A couple things that never change? Good drinks and good friends.






And then, I'm not sure how, but on Sunday I got REALLY lucky. We decided to take the entire family to Nashville for the afternoon. Nashville! Two days in a row!



The reason for the trip was boot shopping. Jason and I had decided that when we moved to Tennessee we wanted REAL boots. His parents offered to buy them for us as joint Christmas/Birthday gifts. I can't think of anything better. Now, I don't know if you know about my shopping ways, but I don't mess around. I know what I want, I get in and get out. And Jason? Jason can spend an hour picking out a greeting card. He actually found some boots he liked right away, but THEN had to go to EVERY. OTHER. BOOT. STORE. IN. TOWN. Just to be sure.

Along the way, we met a balloon man-a very friendly balloon man. But, of course, my children were DEATHLY afraid of him.



They worked up some courage, with Emerson taking the lead, and in the end, they all ended up with the balloon creation of their choice.







Little Miss Emerson was totally into posing ALL day, of course.




Sunday was also the tenth anniversary of the events of September 11, 2001. There was a small memorial in the city while we were there, and Owen and Emerson showed their patriotism.



Owen was quite interested in exactly what happened on that terrible day, and we spent the trip home explaining it to him, in a way appropriate for a seven year old. His questions are getting more difficult to answer the older he gets, and we always try to be straight-forward and honest with our responses. He's such a thoughtful boy.




In then end, we DID end up with some FABULOUS boots. BOTH of us. Wanna see? Just a little sneak-peek for now...




You think the day ended there, don't you? Not quite. Nana and Grandpa offered to take the kids to the pool for a couple of hours and Jason and I snuck away on our own little adventure.



With the move and our busy life, it was my first trip on the bike of this entire summer. Oh, how I missed it. I'd like to go on record right now and say that Tennessee has some of the most fabulous backroads for touring on the Harley. The trip was a good one. The sun peeked through just long enough for us to finish our ride before the rain came.




On Monday, it was back to business as usual. While Jason went off to work and the older kids went off to school, Alayna and I hung out with Nana and Grandpa. My kids have a small obsession with homemade strawberry jam, and Jason's mom offered to show me how to make it. The end result? Pure yumminess.



And while the grandparents went to the school to have lunch with Owen and Emerson, I made a little treat of my own for everyone...




I love this time in my life where things are simple-the kids are easily pleased with jam and cookies and visits from family. It's a time where a game of UNO or Duck, Duck, Goose is enough to put smiles on their faces. Where a quick trip to the park, or an ice cream cone on the deck after dinner is still a special treat. These are the days I will remember-the days filled with simple pleasures.

So Worth It

We might live eleven hours from our favorite vacation spot, but summer wouldn't be complete without one last hurrah at the cabin. We hadn't planned a trip back to Michigan until October, but the call of Otsego Lake was overpowering and we couldn't resist sneaking away for the long weekend. The beach was calling our names.



And while Labor Day Weekend signifies the official "end of summer", we didn't treat it like the end.

We LIVED. IT. UP.




You know what the best part of Northern Michigan is? You never know WHAT you're going to get. This weekend we got a little taste of everything: temperatures reaching into the nineties and down into the fifties, sunshine, pouring rain, wind, and calm waters.












Really, though, when you get THIS many cousins together, they don't care WHAT the weather is doing.



Seven weeks seemed like an eternity to be without their best friends...







And I must admit, the sand felt pretty darn good between my toes.



The air might have been a little bit cooler than we were ready for, but the water was still quite warm. This, of course, led to skiing, swimming, splashing and all sorts of fun in the water.










And when you're not in the water, there's still plenty to do: snacks in the sand, sprints down the beach, dinner as a family, and fishing in the dark.










Also on the agenda for the weekend: a special Happy Birthday to our cousin, Lizzy.



We even managed to sneak away to a beautiful outdoor family wedding. Congrats to Brooke and Cameron!



On Sunday, the men took the dock down and pulled the boat hoist to shore for the winter....



We bid farewell to a few creatures who stopped by to see us...





And Nanu let the kids search for treats in her pockets...



The trip was a long one, but we'd do just about anything to see these kids smile:










While our footprints may soon fade, the memories we've made will carry us through to NEXT summer.




Right now, we're enjoying the lazy days of September, here in Tennessee...