Summer 2013

Another summer on Lake Michigan and too busy spending time with my family and friends to blog. 

So here's a picture recap!

Sidney had fun taking pictures of each state sign that we passed through on our way to the cottage.

 We made it to Michigan! I love that the dog made it into this shot!

 So fun to be welcomed "home" by this sign from our friends!

The five of us spent the night in Chicago walking around the city enjoying the sites of the city, walking to the Bean at Millenium Park, walking to dinner at Gino's East, walking on Michigan Avenue shopping, a water Taxi ride to the Willis Tower 

and seeing all the hoopla celebrating the Black Hawk's Stanley Cup win!

My whole family celebrating July 4th with breakfast in front of our Little Red cottage.

After a fun trip to Chicago, a fun-filled-fourth and winning the annual Skim Board competition, Tyler broke his arm July 7th! I thought it would change our summer and I'd have to find other ways to keep him entertained... but it turned out not to be so bad. With a waterproof sleeve he wore over his cast (to keep sand and water out at the beach), he still managed to swim, play tennis, hang with his friends and do most of the stuff we normally enjoy every summer!

 We chose to have Tyler treated by a doctor in the Chicago area, so we made many trips in and he had four different casts over the course of 6 weeks. 

Red, Pink, Blue and black (he's not so fond of getting his picture taken!)

We enjoyed lots of meals, hanging out on the beach and good times with our family 

(my parents, three siblings and their children all spend the summer at the beach! 

That makes 20 us total!)

And of course we had great time with friends. 

The kids were constantly running here and there doing this and that. 

I enjoyed dinner out with girl friends and relaxing at the beach.

 My life wouldn't be complete with a couple painting projects. I love my new chalk-painted dresser!

And then I painted this one too (we use this in our kitchen, so I had a piece of glass cut for the top).

 I do not have a before picture because I get so anxious and just start painting! 

But trust me this thing was ugly-dark brown with big wooden knobs.

My new favorite thing to do is sew maxi-skirts! I made 4 this summer 

(and assisted some friends in making some too!)

In the picture above I used my maxi-skirt pattern and made myself a strapless dress! 

*iphone pix!

Ben and me (in my maxi-dress) headed out to dinner on my birthday.

 On August 4 Katelyn was baptized in Lake Michigan 

by her Dad and our friend and pastor Shane Harden.

There were so many family and friends in attendance for the event.

We are so proud of Katelyn for publicly following Jesus!

We had a great summer and it was hard to leave. But all good things must come to an end... 

So one last picture before heading south.

I was so thrilled when we finally made it to this sign 

(13 hours from Michigan to our home in Charlotte).