Back to School!

We are ready for routine, its been a great summer, but it is definitely time to get back in the school groove. The kids have great teachers and get to make new friends. We are winding up for a successful year.

This year also happens to be my presidency year for PASI, the parent advocacy board I'm on, which means I'll be busy making a positive impact on the program with a great group of moms. 

Bring on 4, 3, and 1!

Back to School Open House 

Piper and Sr Ledesma in 1st grade. 

Sully and Sr. Petit in 4th.

Greta and Sra. Gutierrez in 3rd. :)

First day excitement. 

Everyone is so brave and ready! Whoop for me! 

The Last Summer Hurrah.

It is a mad rush to get in all of the goodness before school starts again. We tried to make the most of it. 

From movies with friends, golf outings, back to school appointments, and cotton candy fun, we were all ready to get back in the groove with a fresh new school year. Bring it on! 

Multitasking 

Neighbors and cousins, the best! 

We survived. 

Evidence, but it was really fun in spite of the work.

A cotton candy taco:
Cotton candy, ice cream, toppings.
Sugar overload. 

Outing with Sabrina before her first day of kinder! 

Munstream.Advenures: Wisconsin

We planned a three night stay in Wisconsin in order to break up the return drive. We booked a double campsite at Mirror Lake State Park because it was all that was available and floated the idea by Maggie, in case she got the urge to join us. The fact that the campsite was less than 10 minutes from a waterpark town (Wisconsin Dells) certainly didn't hurt. 

We arrived and were thrilled with an incredible campground and space. We were surprised by a shattered window that had happened somewhere along the way. Fortunately the weather wasn't going to be a factor as the forecast was nearly perfect. 

We spent our first full day exploring on our bikes and sent the kids on their own short journey, an apparent miscommunication as Greta led Sully and Piper on a 3 miler to the nearby beach. Panic set in when I couldn't find them on our planned route, but they were quick to reappear as excited as can be that they "made it all the way to the beach!" Piper, holding up the back end, wasn't as happy as it was more of a journey than she was hoping. All was well- we set off again, as a family this time with a plan to meet in the parking lot. Off we went, Sully taking off strong, Greta and I finally arrive, Dave and Piper in the truck in case we needed it, arrived first. Once again panic, Sully is nowhere to be seen. Off I went on the bike, Dave and the girls in the truck, I found a ranger and explained the situation. Shortly after, Dave found him, at the parking lot near the beach, another miscommunication. He was brave, had a plan, and was expediting. I was terrified, squeezed him so tight. We talked about where things went wrong and what we will all do next time. Growing pains. We found our way to the beach, as a family, and turned it into a beach day and recovered from the chaos of the morning. 

Maggie and Anna showed up that evening, much to the surprise and delight of the kids. We had a campfire dinner, followed by ghost stories and fun. Maggie and Piper shared the tent while the rest of us hunkered down in the camper. The following day was a favorite. We spent it in a bungalow at the Kalahari Waterpark in Wisconsin Dells. Pizza and treats and slides and pools, what more could you ask for. 

We wrapped up the trip quickly the following morning for a long journey home. We loved every moment, but also love getting home and spreading out. :)

Lake Michigan picnic lunch stop. 

The campsite, hammock fun. 

Wind down. 

Trash pandas win again! 

My buddy and I on a mountain bike trail.

Beach hangs.

SUP! 

She arrives in time to make us dinner.

Cotton Candy Golden Hour Sunset Swim

Lunch - Kalahari style. 

Hardcore water sliders. 

Dave takes on the toilet bowl. 

Squad.

Towel twins. 

Munstream.Advenutres: Upper Peninsula

The road to Munising was long but wasn’t daunting. We stopped for lunch at the Hardwood Cafe in the Covington Township and arrived at our destination...the land of beaches, golden hours, pastys, tourist traps, bike trails, scenery, local restaurants, terrible campsites, koa entertainment, yoopers, and fun. We found adventures every day. Here are some of my highlights…

Lakeside susets. Because our campsite was less than ideal, it really forced us to make the most of our days and to explore from sun up to sundown. We found fabulous beaches and tucked away spots to take in the views while the kids played on the sand or in the water. We had a bag packed and ready to go with swimming suites, towels, and wine, we were always ready. 

Sunset swim

Trashy- the Airstream mascot. 

Iron Bay Trail: We loaded up the bikes and road the lovely 3 mile trail into downtown Marquette. We arrived in time for lunch and a quick park play before Sully and I zoomed back for the car. It was great to see the sweeping views of Lake Superior from the bike, an opportunity we were glad to take. 

Bike ride ready. 

Sully

Downtown Marquette. 

Picture Rocks National Shoreline Tour: What a beautiful place to be, and to see it from the water was peaceful and lovely. We went for a three hour tour and enjoyed the downtime. We followed the with pizza at the Picture Rocks Pizzeria, how fitting ;).

Sisters 

Pizza! 

Tahquamenon State Park: Hands down, the best day. We had our eye on the forecast and planned our outings accordingly, which landed us here on a lovely warm and sunny day. We hiked and explored near the upper falls and had no idea what was in store for us at the lower falls. We started as timid visitors encouraging the kids to stay out of the water and by the time we left, we were all in. Scenery and minnow catching (literally for Greta) at its finest. This was such a great day. We stumbled up on Timber Charlie’s restaurant in Newberry on our way home and dined on home made pretzels with beer cheese and cheese balls and gyros and everything else good, a great way to wrap up the day. 

A hot and humid hike. 

Lower Falls... don't go too far! 

The cautious parent. 

All in! 

If you could only hear this photo. So many squeals! 

The Upper Falls. 

Parent Selfie. 

Another day, another hike, this time to Miner's Falls. We were greeted with the plush forrest and a lovely trail that took us back to an impressive waterfall. We were brave and curious journeyed all of the way to the bottom.

Miner's Falls Hike

Miner's Falls 

Greta! 

Our final full day took us on a drive and then to a Lighthouse hike... We loved everything about the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, it was great to slow down and appreciate the scenery and nature and just be together. 

Kingston Lake 

More trees, more photo ops :).

Blue skies! 

Greta, the explorer. 

On to Wisconsin!