Vacation Spot 3-Picture Rock

Next Stop- Picture Rock National Seashore. Fewer waterfalls, more sand. This is Miner's Castle. It was pretty difficult explaining to the boys that it is not a real castle and miners dont live there. Beautiful views all around! Maybe next time we can rent some kayaks and check out the rocks closer. I am thinking we will have to head back when they are 10. (not 8...everything else seems to be happening when they are 8) THen more beach time and swimming. We gathered enough stones to write names
"My sensors indicate that there are waterfalls straight ahead!" Goto love cartoons. Peter's tool was very helpful to indicate a lot of things! We never got lost.
This was my attempt to do a timed photo...guess the flash did not go off.
Now the SAND DUNES! Lots of sand. Pat's worst nightmare. He hates sand.
Dont JUMP! I need someone to take care of me when i am old!
Since the boys were not allowed to collect rocks here...we had to take a piture of them.
Their muscles were getting bigger over the week. I am surprised that no one broke a toe!.
Thses dunes were about 400-500ft in height! They were awesome!
So there was this sign along a trail that said "DANGER DANGER 500ft drop. Only takes a minute to go down, over an hour to get back up" So what do you think idiots do.....go down. See those two little spots in the middle of the picture....let me zoom in for you........
yup, those two chose to go down....and I think are regretting it. I would maybe go down if I was 20 years younger or maybe not have my kids along. Just as we were heading back to the car, a nice family (2 kids maybe 10 and 8 and dad) chose to go down. The mom was the smart one and went back to the car to read her book. She was going to be there for a while.
More fun beach time. Rocks, sand water boys.....lots of fun!
Inspired but the Mount Horeb Trolls...when ever the boys find a tree stump they pretend they are trolls....here we have tongue out-peanut grabbing troll and swimmers take your mark troll.
Now that is what I call a successful day, two boys completely wiped out!

Vacation stop 2- Porcupine Mtns

We headed north from Gma Jill's house to Porcupine Mtns. First thing to do is set up camp. Peter helped by using the extra stakes from our tents to make his own for Sparkly the kitty. Then off to the woods for our first hike up to the Lake of the Clouds. I cant wait until the boys can handle longer day hikes, there are so many nice ones along this area. We also took every opportunity to learn about the flora, fauna and geology. One of the many posed shots of the boys infront of a natural beauty. Now for the first experience in the "ocean". The boys kept calling Lake Superior the ocean....i can see why they would call it that. Sadly, I think the ocean is warmer. Peter quickly learned what waves do. And so did Jamison. We spent a lot of time throwing rocks into the lake (you will see a lot of similar pics). We also collected a lot of rocks. Fortunately you are not allowed to collect them in the state and national parks....so I could blame the ranger's "rules" otherwise we would have about an extra 200lbs in lake rock in the car. Does anyone hear the theme song to Chariots of Fire? The campground was right along the lakeshore, we spend more time climbing the cool rocks. Careful Peter! (I found myself saying that alot this week!) More hiking to Summit Peak. I learned after the first day that if you keep the boys fully fed, with lots of snacks, they can hike for a good long time and we could skip naps. Thanks again Keiko for the snacks! Then we headed over to Presque Isle....cool waterfalls, and rocks to climb on! I think this picture is one that will be on the wall. Love the ridges! BUT DANGER! fast moving currents and eddys Boys were held onto tight around here. One slip and see ya later! These are Manido Falls. I was scratching my head thinking that i have seen these before......and I have! I think I was in the exact spot! Maybe in my next life I can be a photographer. The boys LOVEd the chippies...this one would have taken the peanuts right out of your hand! More nice scenery shots with boys and parents. and then back to the Beach! This time we had suits on...The boys were able to play for about an hour before they started to shake uncontrollably. Lake Superior is mighty cold! I was surprised they lasted that long! NOw off to Picture Rock National Seashore.

First Family Vacation begins...stop1, Gma/Gpa House

Our car is packed.....to the gills! on our way to our first family vacation....car camping to Upper Michigan and Lake Superior! First stop, grandma Jill and grandpa Don's!. We woke to heart shaped birthday waffles and bacon. mmmmmmm. and a couple early bday presents.
Gma found the perfect gifts! Rock and mineral book and geodes for Peter and a bird book with songs and a bird cup for Jamison!. Thanks!!

So I had to promise the boys that we would not see a skunk while we were camping and they would not have to take a bath in tomato juice. Darn Curious George.Well, 10 miles into the trip we saw a skunk, crossing the road and he tried to spray the car. I dont think he hit the car...but I dont think that the motorcycle guy liked the aftermath. Way to start off the trip!

Thanks Keiko

We received a package from Japan! Yippee! The boys love packages from Japan THANKS KEIKO! Peter got "Japanese Legos" and Jamison got a Field guide from animals in Japan. He cant wait to go!
We also received many "keiko treats" in which we will be taking with us on our vacation. THANKS!

Black-capped raspberries

The black-capped raspberries are starting to ripen! So the boys and I went out to pick! The bowl on the right is what I picked, the bowl on the right is what Jamison picked, and the glass in the center...well... that was the vessel that Peter held to capture a few and then pour in his mouth. He was a better scout...to let Jamison and I know where to find more. Peter also thought it was fun to spread the berries all over his face...it looks like he has a black eye...but no. This was after he washed his face. There was a whole lot more!

4th of July

For some reason I have not taken many pictures lately. Life has not been all that picture worthy. We went to the zoo and had some fun...have to climb on the tortoise when you are there.

The weather changed for the better?worse? Not sure...last week was super cold. The boys still had swimming lessons though. They "passed" the 4yo swim class with the following comments-

Jamison "Very enthusiastic and outgoing. Jamison did a great job!"

Peter "Great listener and did very well in the water!"

Wonder if one of these guys will join the swim team? They boys said they wanted to join, but their reason was so that they can squirt water at people during the Frolic parade. hmmm

For the 4th we went up to the cabin for 4 days of rest and relaxation...at least we relaxed but the poor frogs in the lake were not so relaxing. The boys boast that they caught over 35 frogs..but I think it was the same 10 or so that we kept catching.

Both boys had the courage to hold the frogs with their bare hands! those are my boys! Run for your life frogs, they will come get you again!

I was able to go pick strawberries and do a little flee market shopping...Pat was able to go golfing and the boys just had some plain old fun!