Day 1 of Vacation

And here we are again in this treasured, timeless, beautiful corner of the world – Les Cheneaux Islands, Cedarville, Michigan! Travel Baby weathered the 9 hour journey exceptionally well!

This is the magnificent Mackinac Bridge, the bridge that connects regular everyday life to a place and time filled with precious memories of vacations past, and the “pining”🌲 for memories of vacations future (pun intended). A week out of the summer for just about every year of my life since I was 3 months old has generated an anthology of memories that now include a whole different cast of characters — my husband, my children, brothers-in-laws, nieces and nephew.

This year also includes Our Kelly who graciously accepted the invitation to come along and help us with Nora! We have our own cozy little cabin about 2 miles down the road from the rest of the extended family.

“Dat afghan is really kinda neat!!!!!!”

“Nora, your knee muffins are really kinda delicious!!!!!”

We fluffed our little nest and sat down for a minute before heading over to the big house.

Gavin rode up with Papa, Uncle Joe, Uncle Dustin and doggies, so we hadn’t seen him in awhile. Nora was happy to be reunited with her brudder!!

This is Nora’s SECOND trip up here. She’s so much more aware of her surroundings and is really, really enjoying all of the new scenery and extra lovings! She’ll tell her Papa things!

Nora thinks her Daddy is extra funny!

The weather started off a little chilly which was a very nice break from the sweltering heat back home!

There is a big back porch that overlooks one of the channels with a rocking chair on it — perfect for rocking babies especially in this heavenly climate!

Greta heading out for an evening boat ride.

This is the exquisite guest house that Greta is staying in with her cousin Gracie.

Aunt Em and Uncle Josh sleep upstairs in the loft. They have their own full bath and a TV. I was commenting to Greta how it’s like a life size little dollhouse, and wouldn’t it be neat to have something like this back home… Guess what Greta has decided she wants for her birthday!? Haha, Veruca Salt!!!

It is cozy and fun hanging out with Greta in her little hermitage!

Day 2 of Vacation

It’s so so stinking cute watching Nora wake up in an unfamiliar environment!!

“Wh… What time is it? Where are we???”

We assembled the stroller, geared up and Nora and I ran/walked the 2 miles over to the big house. William went on ahead in the car and Our Kelly stayed behind to catch up on sleep.

My brother Joe brought up 15 lbs. of goetta!! (Which if you aren’t from Cincinnati, you probably and tragically have no idea what that is. 😔) We feasted for breakfast and enjoyed the rest of our day with the family.

After Norns was settled in, I accompanied the big kids, their cousins and their Uncle Dan on a boat ride.

“White Sugar” and “Brown Sugar” (Greta is starting to look really ethnic after all if this sun!!! No amount of sunscreen seems to help!)

“Refined Sugar” and “Raw Sugar” (they needed sugar names too!!)

Let the fun begin!!!

The only thing we are missing up here is a bathtub!! This baby can’t be expected to go without a baff for a whole week!!!! So we rounded up a storage bin and filled it on up with warm water and a stinky baby!

“Disss is what I liiike!!!”

All clean and refreshed! Nora loves sitting outside on the porch!

And so does the Little Big Guy, Parker with his Aunt Em!

Soaking up the sun down by the boat house ~

Kelly joined us when she woke up. Nornor was so happy to see her!

“… an’nen I took a baff…”

I accompanied my Mom & Dad to look at possible future vacationing accommodations. We indulged ourselves in some gaudy lawn ornament shenanigans.

“On a steel concrete horse I ride… I’m wanted… Dead or Aliiiiiiive…”

A pretty little hat made by Aunt Elaine came in quite handy for the chilly evening!

Perfect weather for a campfire, even “the boys” agree!

Nora held court before retiring for the evening. She certainly is a little princess!

I am so happy, so excited to be up here! Nora loves it too!

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
(Colossians 3:17)