It's Football Time

Lakeview Spartans 2013 8th grade

 

I'm so happy that Jacob plays football.

I love to watch the games.

This year he's #74 and playing "tackle"

 I just cringe when the helmets all smack together during the plays.

and then let out a big sigh of relief when he gets up.

 He spends most of his time on the side lines but he loves being on the team.

Thats all that matters, right?

No Laboring for Us

Another weekend of camping.

We spent it at Burt Lake State Park.

Josh and his family were there also.

On Saturday we rented a boat with my dad and Lorraine. 

It was a lot of fun and a beautiful day.

 

 Being a pontoon boat tubing wasn't as challenging as the boys hoped it would be.

So they decided to get on a tube that was meant for one and see how long they could last with both of them on it.

Not long. But they had fun trying.

Sarah tried for a few minutes but decided she liked riding on Big Mable at Uncle Bruces lake better.

 By the end of the day, the kids were all pooped out. 

Taking naps on a pontoon boat, this is the life.

 I've always thought that my dad looks the happiest on the water.  I'll never understand why he didn't buy a boat.  Especially where he lives now, Burt and Mullet Lakes are so pretty. 

 I have to sneak photos of Jacob these days.  He is getting too cool for pictures.  I have to force him to smile and even then he doesn't look happy.

 Saturday night when we got back to the campsite we had hobo pies, or pizza pies or whatever your family calls them. 

My family likes to have them every time we camp. 

 haha

He thought the camera was off, looking silly but still so handsome.

 Cooking up some dinner.

 On Sunday the girls headed into Petoskey. 

I just love this town.

I love the shops.

I love the smell of the water.

I love the fudge store!!

Grandpa Shorters is one of my fave stores. 

Another camping weekend comes to an end. 

Almost time to winterize the camper and put it away till the spring.

One more planned trip before then.....Halloween weekend in Bay City.

Kenny 2013

 

A lot of pictures here and a lot more that will never be published.  Good Lord we had a lot of fun this year.  I think I had more "oh man I can't put that picture online" photos this year than I've ever had before.  Proof of a good time.



 

 

 This is us on Friday night. 

We arrived in D town at about 3ish on Friday afternoon.  Hung out for a bit and then got ready to go out.  We hit Hard Rock which is where we usually go.  But this year no Paulina Jayne so we were pretty disappointed.  After Hard Rock we found a little street party happening in the round a bout so we had a drink and hung out there for a little while.  Everyone agreed early to bed since we planned to be up and tailgating by 9 am.

The bar set up in the back of my suburban. 

More booze than we could have ever drank in a day.

 And Kassie starts us off with baby bloody Mary's.  Thats what did it, thats what caused all the drunken debauchery that day.  Dang it Kassie!!

 Hangin with Allison, my sis in law.

 

 All the girls.  I think we have everyone in the pic. 

The group has grown over the years.  I'm proud to say myself, Allison and my mom are 3 of the original 4 that started this. 

 Ronda and Aunt Kathy, duck lips.  I'd say Kathy needs a little more practice.

 And this is where it all goes down hill. 

Group pictures that get a little crazy. 

 

 I'm not sure what was happening here. 

 My step dad Terry showed up with Hippie and Michelle.  Terry was hanging out with them in Detroit and they decided to crash the party.  Terry and Hippie went to check out the crowd and brought this guy back with them.  He was a one man band and sang some songs for us. 

"Man they were good" says Diane.  "Mom there was only one of them"

geez who brought her.

 Later in the day Adam and Amanda showed up.  Just in time to cause some trouble.  I don't know what it is about her but Amanda seems to bring out the best/worst in me.  We had a great time.  They only stayed a short time.  They were there to see Eric Church and I think we didn't really care a whole lot who we saw. 

 Proof on my camera that I did see Eric Church. 

And then.....best sight of the whole day.

Kenny up on stage.

I'm so very sad that he's taking next year off.  I keep hoping he'll change his mind.

Not only will I miss him oh so much but I will miss this weekend with my girls.

We always manage to have the best time, through all the drama, drunks, and crappy mishaps at the hotel.  Already counting down the days till summer 2015.

Summer Camping

We've had several fun camping trips this year but our camping trip to Otsego Lake State Park was the most fun.  It was too short for us and a really long drive but still my favorite.

Jeremy's whole family was there Nana and Papa, Em and Cole and the kids, Joel and Sherry and the kids, and us.  

 

 The lake is really nice.  The kids loved playing around and I really enjoyed being at the beach.  I loved the girl time with Emily and Sherry.  On Friday night we stayed up until almost 3 in the morning sitting by the fire talking. 

 

 Joel had researched the area and things to do and discovered an elk farm. 

I couldn't believe how huge they were and how many there were. 

After we checked them out for a bit Papa took us all out for ice cream, his treat!!

 Sarah loved the reindeer.

 

 I love this picture.

And maybe thats why I loved the weekend so much.  It's been a long time since Jeremy and Joel were able to hang out.  It was all about family.  Everybody was relaxing and visiting and just being together.

And who doesn't love an elk?

School shopping

This about sums up my feelings on school clothes shopping. I'd like to curl up on a bench and have my family wake me when they're done.