Bringing up Baby Brang!: Cherries and Cheerleaders!

Traverse City...we are BACK! We had so much fun the first time around that I took the kids back up for the day a couple weeks ago and it did not disappoint! We were headed up the Old Mission Peninsula to spend the day with the Cooley's and Morin's when we spotted one of many cherry farms, so we just had to pull over! Everson spent the day with Grandma and Grandpa so it was extra easy to just go with the flow! This was all of our first time cherry picking and we had so much fun. Carson has a book called, "Goodnight Michigan" and one of the pages is about cherry picking in Traverse City. Carson has always asked if we could do that one day, even back when we lived in North Carolina, and we've always said we would. Cherry picking with Carson and Laney will go down as one of my favorite memories to say the least.

The kids were so excited to spend the day in the lake with Luke, Elle, and Drew!

Carson threw two slip n slide floats in the back of the van right before we left that morning, and Mr. Ben had this great idea to tie them up to the fishing boat. Redneck tubing at it's finest! The kids had so much fun on those $5 floats oh my goodness, we laughed so hard my stomach hurt still the next day.

We wanted to stay forever!

Mr. Ben was going for Dad of the year when he volunteered to take all the kiddos to get their 7/11 free slurpies...on his own! Court and I snuck out to meet our highschool friends for a fantastic dinner downtown while Ben fed and entertained the kiddos. I owe you Ben! It was the best day, probably my favorite of the summer if I had to choose one! We didn't get home until midnight and we were all exhausted but it was totally worth the late night drive.

In case you were wondering, Evie had a great day too! Lots of one on one attention from Grandma and Grandpa and then an evening with Dad all to herself!

Evie snuggles up with Carson and Laney any chance she gets.

Evie jumped right up into Nana's lap to share her blueberries with her.

Carson and Laney both went to a fishing camp at Ada Park. They didn't catch a fish that day but they can cast a line like you wouldn't believe!

Aunt Sarah and Uncle Mike were so kind to have us out to their lake house last weekend. Carson made sure he got to do every last thing they have to offer.

Jet skiing was their favorite for sure...Everson was so jealous she had to get a turn too.

Evie loved walking around off the dock! We went on a long boat ride and just enjoyed the beautiful day! Thanks again Uncle Mike and Aunt Sarah!

Crazy girl! She'll jump on and wrestle anyone who's laying on the floor.

Auntie was feeding baby Maeve and Evie wanted to get in on the action, so she sat right down next to her and they took turns. We aren't afraid of cousin germs here :-)

Grandpa brought donuts over for the kids one morning and this time he gave a portion of one to Everson...she just kept saying, "mmmmmmmmm"...it was the cutest we were dying laughing. She finally gets why the kids get so excited when the donuts arrive!

Children's Museum with Ian while Carson was at his Wet n Wild camp!

Last week we had a neighborhood beach day! A bunch of our neighborhood friends met at the beach with the kids. It was so nice because everyone had someone to play with! I wish I had gotten a big group photo but Evie keeps me on my toes! Next time.

This past weekend was also our annual block party pig roast. We block off the streets and have lots of good food with lots of great company!

Auntie and Maeve stopped by on their way to GR to see us at the neighborhood picnic too!

Founders sponsored an MSU Mike Sadler event on Sunday. Grandpa, Auntie, Patrick, and Carson all went. They came home to just find out Mark Dantonio was there too...and they totally missed him! But they did see Sparty!

Carson was smiling from ear to ear when he told me he got his picture taken with cheerleaders :-)

Laney propped Evie up on the couch to do a photo shoot with her. She had her saying cheese and grinning from ear to ear. These are just a couple of the MANY I found on my phone.