The Utleys ...

I forgot to add these on the last post...the girls had fun painting houses that they used up at the cottage. They were intent on their job and worked hard. We managed to keep most of the paint on the houses.

Lily gives Grammy the best hugs. Her nickname is "Snuggle". I LOVE it!

Kathy and Sam Utley come up for their annual visit to the cottage. Sam loves to fish and this trip was successful...in a way....He caught a big Salmon but became a little seasick during the capture. There were 5 foot "rollers". The lake looked calm to us, though. They are out in this picture...just a speck in the background. The fish Sam had broke the hook and got away. Anyways, they came in a bit early but did catch another Salmon to tell stories about.

The Utleys wanted to see Torch Lake, so we stopped by the Tom and Susan's lot. They were in the midst of tearing down the old cottage. I chose not to show those pictures because they are a bit sad. We went down to the water and enjoyed the beauty of the lake. Ahh, no other lake has the beauty of Torch.

We introduced Sam and Kathy to Murray's and they vowed that they would be back again next year to enjoy the culinary skills of East Jordan!

I woke up early on Saturday morning and didn't want to forget this scene. The definition of PEACE. Love it!

On Sunday, after the Utley's left, we went to the Petoskey cemetery, where so many of our relatives are buried. Myers, Warrens, and Schillings. I feel right at home among family!

I have to check and make sure that we are related to some of these Warrens.

Seems funny that we should end up with a cottage near where so many of our family lived. I feel like we are where we should be.

Awesome August

Patrick, Crystal, Jackson, Logan, Molly, Jeremy, Lily, Layla, Joey, mom, and dad came to the cottage in August and missed one person...SARAH. We had fun, but, remember Mokey in many discussions. She was at school going to the prom with Charlton. We know that she was having fun.

This picture says it all. We spent a lot of time on the beach. The weather was glorious.

Logan was checking out everyone and after he gave you his stare, he would break out into a big smile.

Joey enjoyed the boat rides and his life jacket.

Maribeth Burton Taylor and her mom, Pat, came for a visit. It was good to see old friends from Crystal Lake.

We ate on the porch for every meal. Jackson and Layla ate at their own separate table and loved it. As soon as they were done, they would run down to the beach and play in the sand and throw rocks in the water.

We celebrated dad's birthday with a yummy meal and presents. Lily loves snuggling with grampy.
The two new babies, Mr. Moo and Joe Bo had lots of bonding time with Aunt Molly.

Awwwww, the love of cousins!

Grammy LOVES her new grandsons.

More cousin bonding.

J-Man takes a breather from "daddy" responsibilities.

Jackson was a very busy boy on the beach. So much sand to move and rocks to throw!

Layla uses her building talents to make a sand castle.

Layla stops for just a moment to cool off.

Patrick takes on sky skiing. This is a picture of the hydro foil. Very difficult sport.

After many attempts, he gets the hang of it and masters yet another water sport.

All in all, it was a family bonding time. Can't wait for Mokey to come home at the end of the month. As you can see, Patrick and Dad totally relax and find a new use for the baby seats.

July 22-25

We returned to the cottage for a few days because we had a wedding in Michigan and it was a great way to break up the drive to the cottage. We had great weather yet again up north and this is what we did!

Hello ya'll....I'd like to introduce to you my adopted daughter Lily.

We love to hang out. 

She is my sidekick. 

(When Patrick is out doing watersports she always yells "off" and is such a great sidekick!)

We are pals.

Yeah....I know your jealous!

Lily decided she wanted to take my photo.....haha

We watched Patrick learning how to maneuver the skyski

We also went out of the dock and did a little fishing with the men

That facial expression is the best! 

Lily had a fish on the line and I wanted to capture the pure excitement and joy she had!

Jeremy caught this ugly beast, i believe it was called a sheephead.

Lily quickly snapped a photo of the big fish!

Mr. Moo was an angel baby (of course!)

Jackson was in pure heaven in the lake!

Logan worked on sitting up and LOVED scooping up handfuls of sand and (attempting) to eat it!

Jackson had a good time jumping from the tube onto the beach.

Logan got an introduction to Lake Charlevoix by getting his piggies wet!

The cousins did some major bonding this weekend and had a blast doing Jackson's favorite activity at the cottage....throwing rocks into the lake!

Grammy & Grampy had to get back to Saline so it was just the 2 families for a few days and we had such a great time together!

The evening that they left we were all hanging out in the living room and all of a sudden there was a crash!

We about died laughing because Patrick leaned too far back and totally flipped the chair!

Thank goodness I always have my camera about 5 inches away from me so I could capture the hilarious moment!

The next day we went over to Friske's for lunch and to see the animals and play on the cool structures they have!

okay, that's a lie.....we went  STRICTLY for the donuts. haha!

No, but seriously it is such a cool place with a little store, a place for lunch, kid's area with a playground, animals to feed, and quite possibly some of the best donuts I've ever had!

(We got a dozen for the car ride home!!)

Jackson loving all the cool activities they had there!

We got Baby Logan & Baby Joey in their matching "Little Brother" outfits...how cute are they?!

Had such a wonderful time with all the kiddos together!

4th of July!

We had a wonderful 4th of July!

Logan turned 6 months old that week....

The boys had a wonderful time together playing........

I absolutely love this photo because to me it says, "This is where the sharing toys begins." Jackson has a book and Logan is very interested in it. Jackson's not too keen on having to share his book though!"

We took some fun photos!...................

and got a great one of Grammy and Grampy!.................

We had a fantastic dinner of BBQ chicken, Caprese salad, corn, mashed red potatoes, and bread.

We've been cooking up a TON of great food at the cottage......

Dreamy Chicken and Butternut squash foil packs

Cherry Cola Brownies

KFC Biscuits

Sweet Corn Dip

and lots of other delicious things!

To Check them out click HERE.

Then at night we went down to the beach and watched some fireworks! 

What a fantastic 4th!

 The cutest thing ever!!