Lake of the Ozarks...

with Aimee and the boys...Aimee has been working full time this summer and we haven't been able to get together and let the kids play. So, we decided to take an extended weekend right before school starts and go to the lake for one last "vacation". We left Thursday night after she got off work. We were planning on spending the days at the pool and maybe hit the mall once before leaving. Well while we were at the pool Friday, Aimee got a call from her husband's cousin (who was also at the lake) wanting to know if we wanted to go to the waterpark that afternoon. We respectfully declined, but she also mentioned that she just bought a boat and wanted to know if we wanted to go out Saturday boating. We jumped at the chance...

We went over to their place and loaded up and headed to Captain Ron's for some playtime and lunch. The kids swam in the lake for about an hour and then we headed up the beach to eat some yummy lunch.

Grace met Emma (their daughter, she is 4) and they became fast friends.

Funny story, on the way to Captain Ron's, Aimee, Grace and I rode with Pat on their new boat, while the boys and Emma rode with Angie on Angie's parents boat. Grace sat in the front seat for the first part of the trip, but when Pat hit a wave, Grace threw up her hands and started yelling, "Get me off this ride..." Here are Emma, Grace and Aimee reenacting the scene...

Seth was so excited about this boat ride. This is the first time either of them had been on a boat. All of the kids were so good and listened to everything we said about boat safety.

After lunch we headed over to a cove where some friends of Angie and Pat's were and let the kids go tubing. They were a little hesitant at first but once they were in the water, we almost couldn't get them out. It started getting a little busy with other tubes so we got the kids out and took them over to the dock and let them jump off...

Once back at the condo, we ate dinner and the boys, Aimee and I played a game of Phase 10 twist. I put Grace to bed before the game, she was sooooooooo tired, she could barely keep her eyes open. I put Seth to bed before the game was over and he came out and said Grace had my pj pants on...YEP!!! She sure did!!! We all laughed so hard, I am surprised she didn't wake up. She WAS tired!!! LOL

Sunday we woke up and headed back to the mall to walk around and hit the stores we missed on Friday night. Then ate lunch at the condo and headed up to the pool for one last swim before Aimee and the boys had to head back home.

After the pool, I took some pics of the kids on the deck while Aimee got their stuff together. What a bunch of hams...LOL

After they left, Seth, Grace and I got comfortable in our pj's and goofed around with the camera. Grace and I bought new socks while at the mall...

Are these not the cutest things ever!!!

Thank you Aimee, Hayden and Carson for spending the weekend with us!! It meant a lot to us all and hope you guys had as much fun as we did...And if the Daddy's "behave" maybe they can come next time...LOL

Vacation (Take 2)...

After an afternoon of walking around Ludington, we came back to the lakehouse and sat on the porch with Mom, Dad, and Papa (Mom's Dad)...

Of course , then we get a brillant idea to take the kids down to the beach for some pictures. Grace wore Nina's hat and Seth wore Grumpy's...

We promised the kids smores on Thursday night, but I think they were more interested in the marshmallows than the smore. Seth would cook them up and then they would eat them off the sticks.

Friday, we decided to head to Grand Haven, Mi. The Coast Guard Festival was underway and we wanted to take the kids to see the ships. First we walked around the HUGE craft fair and then headed to downtown for lunch. Downtown Dogs was the choice...

Then we walked around downtown looking at all the cool buildings like this one (thinking Stacy would have a field day...LOL).

Here we have Coastie, the remote controlled boat. He was wandering around the docks talking to all the kids about wearing lifejackets when on boats and other boat safety tips.

That is the end of our, if you can believe it or not, very relaxing vacation. We ate dinner at about 6 o'clock every night, kids were in bed by 8 o'clock, and the adults enjoyed some quiet time playing Phase 10 twist every night. We don't know where we want to go next year, but the kids are already looking forward to it!!!!

Vacation Time...

This year we decided to go to Lake Michigan for vacation. We rented this house for the week with Mom and Dad in Pentwater, Mi. We arrived on Saturday and got settled in and then on Sunday we went into town to check it out and walk around.

Monday it was time to be a tourist. We went to Silver Lake, Mi. to the Mac Woods Dune Rides.
http://www.macwoodsdunerides.com/.

Tuesday we went to New Era, MI to Rainbow Ranch for some trail rides. The kids really enjoyed this and got to ride their own horses (they were lead by a trail leader).

http://www.rainbowranch-inc.com/. Grace's horse was Chief and Seth rode Odie.

This is Sue and she does the wagon rides.

Wednesday we went to Michigan's Adventure in Muskegon, Mi. This is an amuzement/waterpark. We all had a blast.

Thursday we went to Ludington, Mi. We visited Sandcastles Children's Museum, ate ice cream while watching fudge being made and walked around downtown admiring the buildings...

Here the kids are singing "Take me out to the ball game" while Richie is playing the piano. The lady at the museum even asked him if he would volunteer a couple hours a week there playing.

Seth took this picture...

After all that walking and ice cream the kids and I laid on the hammock at the lakehouse.

There is more to come of Thursday and Friday...stay tuned!!!!