Summer Break - Week 3, Thursday & Friday

Dearest Boys,

You two got to spend Thursday and Friday with your cousin and grandparents and enjoy the lake house while we fit in some sibling adventures of our own.

While y'all were busy swimming in the lake, playing in nature (those were your exact words), and reading with Grandma, here is what we were up to:

On Thursday we boarded the Manitou, a tall ship that sails Traverse Bay.   We took their day cruise, helped hoist the sails, and even did a little steering.

After doing a little shopping, we returned home just in time to help install the new dock. 

And that dock turned out to be the perfect spot to watch the sunset over the lake!

We left early Friday morning, drove to Mackinac, and boarded the ferry.  

 

 

Cars are not allowed on the island so your transportation options are horses, bicycles, or your feet (which is why we decided against bringing y'all this time).  It is located in Lake Huron and was home to a Native American settlement before European exploration began in the 17th century. It served a strategic position amidst the commerce of the Great Lakes fur trade. This led to the establishment of Fort Mackinac on the island by the British during the American Revolutionary War and it was the site of two battles during the War of 1812.

We opted to explore via bicycle.

Our first stop was to check out Mackinac Bridge (the fifth longest suspension bridge in the world, the bridge connects the lower and upper peninsulas of Michigan) from afar.

Then we took a 6 mile ride on the trails (yes, Uncle Mike was usually way up ahead and I was usually at the back!).

We stopped at the Grand Hotel (pictured 5 pictures above) for lunch.

Afterwards, we lounged on their beautiful porch

Source:  www.joeyblsphotography.com

We got back on our bikes and rode to Arch Rock.

The view from up there was breathtaking!

 Lastly, we climbed around Sugar Loaf

 

It was late when we got home that night but we were excited to tuck you into bed and tell you about our adventures.

Summer Break - Week 3, Tuesday & Wednesday

Dearest Colton and Jackson,

Last week we were fortunate enough to head north and join the family in Michigan at the lake house.

We woke up bright and early on Tuesday and Grandma took us to the airport at 7:30.  In an unfortunate series of events, our plane ended up not being able to take off from DFW and the only flight we could arrange was one at 3:00 that afternoon.  That left us with a lot of time to kill and we're now more thankful than ever for their Skylink train and play areas!

Instead of arriving in Traverse City at 4:00, we landed at 10:30...so our first day of vacation consisted of 0% lake activities, 25% frustration, and 75% flirting with flight attendants. 

Jax, you visited here once when you were 14 months old for Uncle Mike & Aunt Jessica's wedding - but, of course, you don't remember that.  Daddy and I hadn't enjoyed the lake house since 2006!!!

August, 2006

This little house on Cherry Lane is such a special place packed with memories.  Your great-great-grandfather (Daddy's Mommy's Mommy's Daddy) built it himself in 1952 and generations of Wallace descendants have gathered here ever since.  On this particular week, it slept 10 (Great Grandpa, Grandpa, Grandma, Uncle Mike, Aunt Jess, Hailey, and our family) and when you two awoke in your bunk-beds on Wednesday morning, you both had one track minds!  You wanted in the lake no matter what!!  

First up, Daddy and Uncle Mike loaded y'all into the boat and gave you a tour of the lake.

You three made it clear that the fun wasn't stopping there...

 So into the water you went...

And everyone got a turn on the jet ski before lunch...

 We showed the rainy forecast who's boss and trekked to Sleeping Bear Dunes that afternoon.

Hiking up the sand was no joke!!  Just when I thought we'd made it to the top, I realized there was still plenty of sand to climb!!

Moments like this make me wish I paid better attention in photography class as the view of Lake Michigan was spectacular!

Colt, you were content to stay put and just play in the sand with Hailey.

Jax, you wanted to climb forever!  You and Dad snapped this photo from the top:

 

and then you raced down to where I was and Uncle Mike took a mini-family photo for us.

I ran to the bottom first so that I could capture y'all coming down but I couldn't get the lens to do the dunes justice...

 We all slept well that evening!

Summer Break - Weeks 1 and 2

Dearest Colt and Jackson,

It took us almost no time to get into a summer schedule.  And by "schedule" I mean sleeping in, doing whatever the heck we want, and jumping in the pool as often as possible.  As you'll notice, pictures have been few and far between - and they tend to get repetitive - but I'm proud to say that I've often been too caught up in the moment (mid play-doh, or practicing ball outside, or reading books, or playing video games) to stop and go get my phone for a picture. 

Here are Weeks 1 and 2 in a nutshell:

You and Daddy went to an Indy car race at Texas Motor Speedway

The Harycki Fam came to swim

You went to Marcus High School's soccer camp from 8:30-12:00 (T,W, and F) for the first week of summer

We went to story time

The Vaughns had us over for slip 'n slide fun

We swam at Grandpa and Grandma's house

You went to Marcus High School's basketball camp from 9-Noon (Mon - Thurs) for the 2nd week of summer

One day, after camp, Michelle and I took y'all to lunch and a movie

Million Dollar Arm wasn't quite the "baseball movie" we'd hoped for but you said you liked it.?.?.

We went for a hike

We had Ava, Ella, and Drew over for an afternoon of swimming

We took the Haryckis to Grapevine Lake for fireworks

And the fun keeps on coming...you're currently at Grandpa and Grandma's house after sleeping over last night and I'm about to start packing since we're hopping on a plane very soon and taking our fun schedule up north!