Our vacation up north

I have to admit it. I was a little ambivalent about this vacation. Addy's been a bit "challenging" and life a bit monotonous. I figured all of that would just come with us and appear in a different, more beautiful background. As often happens, when I least expect it, life turns things around and shows me how silly I am for ever taking it for granted.

It was nothing outwardly special. We didn't stay anywhere fabulous. We didn't do anything fancy. But it was just fun. I walked around with a perm-smile and the kids did, too. It was different and beautiful and exactly what a vacation should be.

First stop: Tony's Diner, Birch Run. Famous for ridiculously large portions of bacon. I mean really big. Like the size of my head. Maybe more. The kids loved it and so did we (especially Rob). We all ate our fill and had leftovers for the car. And yes... we ate leftover bacon in the car. That's just the kind of family we are. I didn't know we were that kind of family, but it turns out we are.

After three hours of driving, everyone was a little tired and a little grumpy. Insert three way mirror in random boutique. Boy, was this amazing. We should have sold tickets for this show. There was singing and dancing and loads of fun. Even the workers were enormously entertained. This was the moment I knew that this trip had some great vibes.

The next day was a little chilly, but chilly was perfect for our trip to fish town for the best sandwiches ever. I mean it. They are always one of my favorite parts of up north. I first met them when I was pregnant with Lily and have loved them ever since. We also met this amazing lady (see background) whose family used to own fish town, so we got to hear some really neat stories. The best part? We met her because Addy took it upon herself to start eating the woman's chips. It took us three days to realize Rob had bought Addy the wrong ones (jalapeno- oops!)

Next stop-- Black Star Farms. There, Lily officially became a real cowgirl. She'd been there before, but this time was the first time that she remembered. She loved the horses. She pet a few on the nose and a woman even took out "Daisy" for Lily to pet and talk to. Lily daily talks about being a cowgirl, so our trip to Black Star Farms really showed her what being a cowgirl is all about.

Some extra cuteness... What can I say? They're adorable. (Rob tells me daily that he's adorable. I think he's teaching Lily. ;) )

After Black Star Farms was the park. Who can resist smiling at such a cool park with this gorgeous view? Both kids loved every second.

If we wouldn't have had to leave for an emergency potty run, we might have stayed forever...

Morning number 2 started out with some light reading. Addy was really in to the USA Today and I was really in to how adorable she looked "reading" it.

Some of our best friends from Huntington Woods joined us in Traverse City, so we got a chance to join them at The Homestead in Glen Arbor. It was gorgeous and we loved getting a chance to see a new part of "up north".

After some pool time, we wanted to introduce our friends to one of our favorite things to do up north, wine tasting. We had to take time for a photo opportunity at one of our favorite vineyards, Willow. The views were breathtaking and we all got a chance to let loose. We laughed a lot and had a great time. Contrary to popular opinion, wine tasting up north is a great family activity. The kids loved running through the grape vines and one winery even had grape juice and chalk for the kids.

We even returned to Black Star Farms so that Ariella could see the horses. While we were there, the girls met another little girl only a few years older than them with her own horse. His name was Hudson and Lily was awestruck by the idea that she could one day have a horse. (Daddy could have skipped this part of our program... there will be no horses in our future.)

 Day three was perfect beach weather and we moved to a hotel that sits right the best beach in Traverse City. We couldn't have planned it better. My friend, Jess, joined us with her son, Alec, and the Madgys came, too. That meant lots of kids for Lily to play with (and a break for Daddy).

(Lily learned how to spell her name on this trip!)

Addy was not into playing in the sand, but was in to being adorable.

After a great day at the beach and dinner at Don's Diner, we returned back to our hotel for a special moment with my girl. Just as we were headed to bed, Lily mentioned wanting to watch the sunset. So we did--my girl and I. A perfect Mommy/Lily moment.

...that left room for a perfect Daddy/Addy moment.

Day four. Our final day. We had planned to return home pretty early when we got an invitation to go play with our old boss and his family, the Farrs.  Another great day full of memories...although little sister joined the day a little late.

 Cowgirl boots make everything better! Doesn't everyone wear their cowgirl boots with everything?

After a fun day, we had to make an ice-cream stop at The General Store in Bowers Harbor. Lily loved the old time phone.

 We're now back home and missing vacation, but rejuvenated by some precious memories. It was great spending time with such special people...and realizing that some of those special people are my family.

Toes

These toes used to barely touch my arm when I was rocking her. Now they dangle over the edge of the chair. Where does time go?

A nighttime ritual

Some may say she's too old. Some may say I'm too indulgent. All I know, is it's her favorite spot and I love it. Cuddled up into a fetal position, she takes a deep breath and every muscle in her body loosens. Her eyes gaze upon me, glassy and peaceful. Her little fist secures itself on my shirt. Her tiny toes brush gently against my arm as she stretches them to the sky. It won't last much longer, but every last second, I will drink up greedily and gratefully. Rocking my precious baby to sleep I whisper... "You are beautiful. You are smart. You are so very very loved."

Happy 4th of July!

Last year, we had an infant in a stroller.
This year, that same infant was Huntington Wood's cutest baby in the parade.




Last year, Lily was just learning her way around the pool.
This year, she's an old pro.







Last year, Lily tentatively watched the fireworks atop her Daddy's shoulders.
This year, she raised her arms (as if singing in a hallelujah chorus) and jumped in absolute glee next to her friends.







Last year, we were visitors in this town.
This year, it's our home.

In this family we sing (and dance!!)

Just another Sunday morning. It's 8am and it's getting ready to begin. Everyone's ready to bring the best they've got. The contestants are readying their iphones, loading their youtube list with the best of the best. Addison's practicing her head bops with a big smile. Lily's getting her game face ready. She's a tough judge. And it begins. Daddy and Mommy play music video after music video trying to win the coveted spot of the morning. Oldies. 90s. Brittany Spears and TLC. The contestants know the girl groups are the favorite. Addison loves it all and is jumping up and down waving her arms... But Lily will not be won so easily. Finally, Lily starts to sing along. Do we have a winner? "We are never never never... Getting back together!" And Mommy wins with Taylor Swift! Until Daddy brings out the big guns... The muppets. And it starts again. ;)

Addy Pie

It's been a bumpy road for Addy Pie and I the last few weeks. No, no... I haven't loved her any less, but let's just say it's a good thing she has that smile of hers. Otherwise, liking her at times could be a little tough.

She's going through one of those phases. Nothing is quite right. She whines and whines and even her cuddles seem a bit grumpy. I live for those little "hi"s and the belly laughs, because the rest is a bit rough.

Even at Gramma and Papa's tonite, she struggled. One minute she was having a ball with her sister and Papa and the next minute she was a tired crumpled mess.

Then, she did something she hasn't done in a long time. She let me hold her. Not hold her to feed her, not hold her upright for security. She just laid back and let me cradle her in my arms, tousle her beautiful blonde curls and she sank into the envelope of my grasp.

We both needed it. We just looked at each other and took a breath. Instead of putting her in the car seat, I carried her home whispering "I love you"s and "my precious girl"s into her ear over and over. I carried her into her room and rocked her gently to sleep. And then I just watched her for a while. Her chubby little fingers holding onto me. Her pudgy pink thighs wrapped around my arms. 

"I love you, precious girl. Goodnight."

A little piece of paradise...

It wasn't the beautiful skies that made it, but boy were they dreamy. It wasn't the never-ending ocean or the dolphins that swam alongside us like friends. It wasn't the sand that enveloped our feet and smoothed them better than the perfect pedicure. But, oh how great that was. It wasn't the hammock that cradled and rocked us to sleep in the ocean breeze. It wasn't the smiles and friendly southern, "hi y'all's." It wasn't even the brightly colored houses standing like soldiers in rows or steel drums humming a lullaby to a sleepy sunset. No, no, our perfect paradise was more than all that.

It was a little girl in swimmys screaming "watch me!" for the fiftieth time. It was crawl marks in the sand. It was bagels and cream cheese on the porch and late night trips to the pool. It was "this drive is taking longer than I thought"s and arms outstretched high when we finally reached our destination. It was 2 girls having a screaming contest in the back seat. It was family pictures with a friend. It was watching my husband smile and snuggle his babies. It was long walks and long little girl talks. It was a day on the golf course cheering for Daddy and big hugs to celebrate. It was my little girl snapping like Mary Poppins to "wake the little man that opens the gate." It was holding hands and smiling faces. It was "I love it here" and "I love you"s. It was time with the ones we love best. It was our own piece of paradise.

Photo courtesy of Mandie Joy Photography.