Michigan. She Treats Us So So Good.

If it weren't for the drudgery of her Winters, we might consider moving to the Mitten.  She is so so lovely and has given us white glove service summer after summer after summer.  We adore her lakes, her farm land, her produce, her sand, her edible small towns...she screams relaxation and stillness to my summer self.  We spent 10 days with her this summer and I've hesitated to upload these photos as they cause me to crave her.  Tim's oldest brother and his beautiful wife hosted the entire family at their cottage this year and we rented another across the street to accommodate the 11 children and 8 adults.  Every day was a taste of summer utopia.  The kids mixed and mingled, we swam, built castles, biked, golfed, golf carted, hiked, ate and ate and ate, slept soundly and woke up to do it all over again.

Following tradition, Dude left a few days early to be pampered by Nana and Papa in Chicago.  This is a tradition that has become cherished.  By all parties involved.  

 Perhaps these men are brothers.  Yes, perhaps they are.

 The GANG.  Quite the gang they are.  

 Dude has always had an infatuation with buois.  Since he was 2.  He spent the longest time way out in the lake, trying to release this particular buois to take home.  No joke.  Squirt finally decided she should help the cause.  

 

 

 

 Cranes, our favorite fruit picking, pie eating, home cooked meal eatin' place.

 Would it be vaca without it?  Not sure what's goin on with the Pirate eye.

 Please ignore the fat leg angle.  Focus on the fact that my sweet niece sat next to me "reading" Danielle Steele for a good 15 minutes.

 Just 5 six year olds, cousin' it up.  

  We left too soon and are already counting the days until we get to go back.  Thanks Nick and Caylie!