Vacation

We just came home from a wonderful family vacation.  Friends of ours loaned us their cottage up north for 5 days.  It was a very special week for our family - one filled with lots of swimming, kayaking, playing games & just good family time.  We feel very blessed and also refreshed to begin another school year.  One of the big highlights for the kids was kayaking.  The cottage was right on a lake, which was very shallow for a long distance out.  This made it possible for the kids to easily kayak by themselves without any real worries on Mommy's part. :)

 Collecting shells was another favorite activity for the girls.

 We ate most of our lunches and suppers on the deck overlooking the lake - It was gorgeous!

 One morning we took a trip into Frankfort just to explore.  We ended up finding a park for the kids to play at.

Another morning we went exploring at Sleeping Bear Dunes.  We hiked up the big Dune Climb. . . .or at least most of us did.  Zachary needed a bit of help (i.e.  a shoulder ride on Daddy).

 We also had access to a little motor boat, which the kiddos loved.  We used it to explore the lake a bit more.

 We spent a big $1.25 on this water squirter (actually $2.50 since we bought two of them). . . and it was money VERY well worth spent!

 This was the view from the deck and also the kitchen window.  What a blessing to be able to retreat for a bit.  We thank God for this gift!