we're home!

David had 2 weeks off, which allowed us to head up north for a Michigan visit. As usual, I took about 300 pictures, got home, got busy doing other tasks, and then felt overwhelmed at updating this blog (so many pictures! where do I start?). So here is a feeble attempt to begin the photo dump of our summer Michigan trip, 2013. It's gonna be several posts long.

Our first stop was in Ohio to see my parents and sis Brenda's family. The kids had fun seeing their older cousins, hanging out by the campfire, and running around outside getting dirty.

 And roasting marshmallows, which contributed to the dirtiness (who knew one could be so sticky?). Like the Michigan State shirts? I subconsciously put those on them when we are in Ohio. Ok, maybe I am fully aware.

 Merritt enjoyed reading some chapters to Aunt Brenda by the fire.

 I realized I got zero shots of Gavin and cousin Connor...they disappeared on the property for hours at a time, and reappeared soaked (well, Gavin was, big surprise) with mud streaked on their faces. Ah, boys.

From there we headed towards Michigan, but stopped first for an overnight visit with Aunt Debbie and Uncle Eddie, where the kids ate lots of sugar, turned a light shade of blue in the pond (not so hot in Ohio!), got to hang out with cousin Meredith and her sweet boy Greyson, roasted more marshmallows, shot paintballs over the pond, and ran around like little crazies.

But really, who can resist this face, even when it is all sugared up? Not Aunt Debbie!

Blasting paint balls...Merritt exclaimed after several shots hit the board, "It's art!"

Baby Greyson and peekaboo. It never gets old.

Good old tire swing! Our boys think our little one at home is super lame now.

 Here is Merritt reading comics by the campfire. He is such an old man.

Aunt Debbie bought a couple paper lanterns to send off. Those things are so cool. Here we are lighting one (it was light because the kids were going to bed soon...we did another one later in the night, too!).

 Our nighttime lantern in flight.

It was great to break up our trip on the way up to see everyone...our trip home was decidedly longer and less exciting - over 13 hours in the car with 3 boys and a dog makes for different kinds of memories! But in between the broken up trip and the drive of epic proportions, we packed in many great memories and activities. Stay tuned for more!