Up North

We had a busy, hectic, outdoorsy sort of week. The kind that can reveal some tension, but also times that you'll remember--like K reminding J about the importance of memories.

A little agenda and then my highlights...

Got in Saturday, picked up pizza and groceries. Favorite part? Hanging out at the hot tub, hearing J tell kindergarten stories (no way he's in group I!!) and watching the sunset.

Sunday getting a bite to eat after church, and then a barbeque and gorgeous sunset.

Monday? Watching soccer at Mackinaw Brewing Company in downtown Traverse City. Grilling fajitas, and then sunset and J's Bar and getting reminded about the need to tip.

Fishing in Elk Rapids on Tuesday. We caught some great Lake Trout and then had a fish fry that night. Also smores! I also went to a winery with P&M to Hawthorne Winery.

Wednesday we went up to Mackinac Island. We rented bikes and biked two loops (16 miles) around the island. Then dinner at mom & dad's favorite Darrow's.

Thursday was the next U.S. World Cup game against Germany (go USA!) and we had lunch with C & baby Jack at Seven Monks Taproom. We then kind of lazed around with pizza before an epic battle of Apples to Apples.

Friday we went to the cabin, the first time I've been there in almost twenty years. We went to 2 Lads Winery before another barbeque, more Apples to Apples, and a memorable night of playing a$$hole with my brothers and SILs. We also let off some fireworks (baby ones).

And then it was time to go home.

Favorite memories?

1. J reminding me "Uncle Steve said you had to pay me a dollar" for his beer delivery.
2. J proudly proclaiming "I'm a good reader!"
3. J reading SCOTUSBlog with me.
4. J bringing out the soap after his pee break.
5. Baby Jack never stopping smiling!
6. C&J drinking water out of the hose, and coaxing a smile out of C.
7. S trying to swim in that ridiculous wetsuit and his even more ridiculous attempts to stand-up paddle board. Also S's 18 mile two a day.
8. Those absolutely breathtaking sunsets, where the sun literally melts into the earth.
9. All of our ridiculous attempts to hook up ESPN.
10. Hanging out with my siblings and SILs that last night, telling stories, talking about Aunt Joan and little Asian babies and how sweet little J is, how sad he was about leaving, and remembering how much I miss not being closer. Sigh.
11. Lots of Shorts beer. Awesome to discover a new brewery from Elk Rapids and Bellaire!