We are enjoying prime summer here in Michigan and loving every second of it. In the last month we’ve spent most of our time outdoors golfing, boating and camping. The kids start school in a week and a half and we’re savoring every single day we’ve got left! Here’s the recap…
We met our tent camping quota (two trips per year; our first being Silver Lake earlier this summer) during our stay at Fayette State Park and Harbor last month. It was our first visit to Fayette and it did not disappoint. With a small campground on the northern shore of Lake Michigan (which is a a rockier view/beach than the shores off the lower peninsula) we enjoyed gorgeous views, cool nights around the campfire and had fun exploring the historic settlement and nearby Lake Kitch-iti-Kipi. Read more about this trip here.
After two nights in Fayette we headed further northwest where we spent five days off the grid with my parents at their cabin. Our annual trip to Ontonagon, Michigan is not for the faint of heart… 8.5 hours in the car, a proper outhouse, a two trek 4-wheeler ride into camp that our SUV can’t make…. but it’s getting easier and easier every year: propane appliances, solar power and this year my dad hooked up a tailgate antenna to a TV so they can watch Fall football during hunting season. Now we’re just waiting for the helipad.
And despite being out of town for a week and a half there has been no shortage of golf this past month. Jeff and I paired up with the Gibsons for a super fun Couples Twilight at Kent C.C. and came home winners! It was a ‘pool-party’ themed event and we had a riot pretending to be life guards blowing our whistles.
Watermark Women’s league wrapped our final partner matches two weeks ago and I’ve got all sorts of bitter sweet feelings happening. My partner of five years, Jamie Krier, is leaving me for greener pastures after moving homes with her family over to Stonewater. I am SO happy for her but am already sad to not be teaming up with her next summer.
Speaking of Stonewater, this past weekend I joined Ashley Adkins for their Women’s Invitational for back to back rounds of 18 holes and a barrel of fun. We melted in the 90 degree heat but must have done a good job staying hydrated because we tied for first in our flight. If it’s not obvious from the photos, the event was jungle safari themed and the Stonewater Women’s Board did a fantastic job coordinating a great event. I had a great time.
The kids had a blast at Kladder Cousin Camp up in Rockford with their Grandma and Grandpa ‘camp counselors.’ Jeff’s parents took all six grandkids for an overnight at the lake for 48 hours of jam packed fun. They outdid themselves with scavenger hunts, crafts, boat rides, pizza/ice cream and more. Needless to say, the kids are already looking forward to next year.
Cousin Roman on our Smith side of the family was baptized last month in Portage. We celebrated the occasion with family and were extremely giddy to hold him for the first time. It is so fun to watch our kids interact with their younger cousins which is something new for all of us because they get to be the older cousins amongst the Smith Fam.
Our sweet Natalie broke her arm two weeks ago just before leaving for the U.P. during the DJs Family Summer Party at Craigs Cruisers. The trampoline park got the best of her, unfortunately. But thanks to the quick response work at OAM Natalie was casted and ready to roll allowing us to stay right on schedule. Shout out to our friend Dr. Cara for her quick text response and for always allowing us to take advantage of her advice.
Luckily, Natalie’s broken arm did not interfere with Junior Golf and she was able to finish out her last week at Watermark. She gets her cast off just in time to start school and jump back into Fall golf, cheer and piano lessons later this month.
This Fall also brings the start of another soccer season for Thomas and a full time school schedule now that he’s in Kindergarten! We are eagerly awaiting our teacher/class assignments and in the meantime prepping school supplies and working back to our regular bedtime and morning routines.
Summer has been good to us. We are thankful for fantastic summer weather and our time spent with friends and family. Our hope is to ride this summer wave for as long as it’ll take us!
