our michigan adventure - part two

Saturday morning we said goodbye to Uncle Scott and loaded everyone back in the car to head out to Lake Leelanau where we would be staying in a vacation rental with our friends, the Heagles and the Stutes.  We started this summer vacation tradition 8 years ago, although for the first 4 years we just tent camped for a long weekend.  Now with all the kids, tenting is a little more difficult, so we've upgraded to an actual house so we can cook meals and have some space to hang out!

Our backyard.  And no, I have no idea what the guys are doing in this picture.

Our view of the Lake.  Aunt Teri did a good job of entertaining the kiddos.

Our dock.

And of course the kids had to go swimming first thing upon arriving!

On Father's Day we sent the men out to breakfast and then let them go out again in the evening to Pyramid Point.  And yes, I do say "let" because trying to maintain control of 7 kids age 5 and under is a daunting task...  So the fathers got to have a little escape.

On Monday we tried to wear the kids out in the morning by doing some shopping in downtown Traverse City.  We didn't really get pictures of us shopping, but here's one of the kids playing in the fountain.

Then we took them to the park, encouraging more energy release.

Why all this forced play, you ask?

Well, they needed good naps because that night we headed to...

The CHERRY BOWL Drive In!!!

That night they were playing a double feature of Toy Story 3 and Karate Kid.  I couldn't believe how cheap it was to get in - only $8.50 for adults, and kids 12 and under were free!  That would be an even better deal if we would've stayed for both movies.

Tate and his new best bud, Will.

There was a fun old-school playground in front of the screen so the kids had something to do while we waited for it to get dark.

Which, of course, in northern Michigan doesn't happen until 10!  Waaaay past these kids' usual 7:30 bedtime!

Tate morphed into Super Man and tackled some tentacled beast while waiting for the movie to start.  All with a smile on his face,

While Addie and Millie became little princesses (with bullets in their necks...  Okay, so they aren't really bullets, but it sure looks like it, doesn't it?)

 

Finally the movie started, and with our big bucket of popcorn (for under $4!), we were all set!

By the time the movie ended at midnight, it was time to go home.  I couldn't believe how many people stayed there until 2 in the morning to watch Karate Kid!  I must just be getting old...

We were all so tired on Tuesday morning.  Some more than others.  Like a certain man who slept way past all of us.  And what better way to wake up on vacation than with a breakfast in bed surprise by your two favorite buddies?  Heehee....

I would love to insert a picture here of sleepy-head Scott (because I do have one), but being that he's not my husband, I'd better not.

Later on Tuesday, Chad and I and our kids got the fun of surprising some good friends down at Lake Ann Camp.  I checked my messages and heard my dear friend Dawn's voice saying they were at camp and reliving old memories of when we worked there together.  She had no idea we were only 30 minutes away.  So away we went to surprise them!

Dawn was my bestest bud all throughout high school.  I really wish she lived closer!

We ended Tuesday with a trip to the ice cream shop.  Yummy!

So, there you have it.  The next four days of our Michigan Adventure!  Just what will tomorrow's part three have in store?  Stay tuned to find out!!!