Michigan Part 2

We're back from our vacation, and although most years we're ready to settle back in at home, this year we could have stayed another week or more!  Vacationing with a baby is a LOT of work :)  We had some great help though with Grammie, Grampie, Uncle Joshie and Uncle Brad.  Here are some of the highlights from the second half of our trip:

One of our Fourth of July Traditions is to go to Tom and Mary Jo's camp to spend the day on the Dead River boating, hanging out on the beach, and lighting off fireworks.  The weather didn't cooperate with us this year, however, so we ended up out their twice in an attempt to enjoy some nice weather.  In the end, it was rainy and gloomy both days, but it didn't really seem to matter.  We all enjoyed each others company and didn't let the weather get in the way of tubing, taking a pontoon boat ride, and lighting off some fireworks.

 Eli and Daddy at Tom and Mary Jo's camp.

Eli and Mommy on Eli's first boat ride.  We took it nice and easy on a pontoon boat.  He had a blast!

 Uncle Joshie is a natural with Eli...perhaps someday (when he finds the right girl of course) he'll have a few of his own?!?!?

Grammie likes to snuggle with Eli every chance she get

Another highlight of our trip was getting some time away with just Jason and me.  Jack and Sharon gave us the gift of an entire "couples day" without Eli.  We went kayaking with some of our friends on the Au Train River.  Jason had never kayaked before, but he wasn't the one who tipped over!  Even on a lazy river like the Au Train, Tiffany dumped her kayak and had a heck of a time trying to bail it out.  Good thing it was a hot day and the water was nice and cool!  We still had a blast and enjoyed some time with good friends and without the responsibility of being parents.

And while we were away at play, Grammie and Gramps were enjoying some quality time with Eli:

Another highlight of our trip is always spending some time out at Barb and Smute's camp on Granite Lake.  They were gracious enough to lend us their camp for a night, so the three of us headed out for an evening of calm and quiet (as much as Eli would allow).  We fished, played some lawn games, ate some delicious cudighi, and laid on the beach staring at the clouds.  It was glorious!

 Daddy and Eli went fishing at the camp at Granite Lake!  Jason was the one who caught "the big one," though.  It was a nice bass!

There was, of course, always some time to just relax at the house.  It just wouldn't be "vacation" without it:

Another exciting part of our trip was that our best friends Paul and Shannon Revello finally had their first baby.  Eli got to meet his best friend!  Miles Thomas Revello was born on Thursday (just in time for us to meet him before we headed back home from vacation).  He is one of the cutest little boys we have ever seen.  It will be so much fun to come home for visits and have friends who have a little boy too.

At first, Eli wasn't sure what to think.  He was very curious, though.  Can't you just see the excitement on Eli's face? ;)  Jason and Paul have been best friends since middle school, so it's pretty cool that they now have sons that will grow up together.  Miles looks so much like Paul and Eli looks a lot like Jason.  If  they're anything like their daddies, they're sure to cause all sorts of trouble together in the future

And of course, it wouldn't be the Fourth of July without fireworks and we saw three different sets!  Eli wasn't scared like I thought he would be; he actually got excited for the ones he stayed awake to see.

What wonderful memories we made this trip.  We look forward to our summers in the UP every year and can't wait to see what memories await us as Eli grows up and can enjoy the family, friends, and natural beauty along with us.