Michigan Vacation

After a year of careful planning, we pulled together our family vacation with the Wyckoffs and Wenks. It was a wonderful week filled with friendship and laughter, and good times with the kids.

Our family vacation photo 2009.

Clint, Lindsay, Mallory, and Hadley

Jason, Kristi, Ella, and Miles

Time was spent both hanging out at the house and hitting the road to see local attractions of Southeast Michigan. One day we all went to Elkhart, IN to tour the RV Hall of Fame.

It was interesting to see how camping has changed through the years, and how you can travel in luxury today!

This is a picture of the backyard of the house we rented. There was plenty of room with a big kitchen and gathering area, and nice places to play outside.

Madeline enjoyed playing in the sandbox with Miles.

And on the warm days we took a dip in the lake.

With three families and seven kids, there was lots of cleaning to do. Madeline and Hadley stayed on top of it.

Madeline learned how to play "Ring Around the Rosie" with all the bigger kids. It's a lot more fun to play with a big group rather than just mom.

"We all fall down!"

Late at night we got out the Wii Rock Band. Here Dan relives his old YMC drummer days.

Mallory, Madeline, and Hadley enjoy some snacks at the apple and peach orchard. We got to hand-pick peaches and apples off the trees. They were delicious!

YUM! Fresh peaches!

We look forward to our next get-together!

Mom's new camera!

I just took the plunge and bought at digital SLR camera in hopes of fine tuning my photography skills. Madeline of course will be a common subject, so here she is the first morning the camera was out of the box and battery was charged.

What a goof!

Morton Arboretum

The Arboretum has become one of our favorite places to meet up with playgroup friends, Ella and Erin. The girls love playing in the fountains, and moms love to chat about the latest challenges!

Sharing pretzels with Ella

Typical Weekend

Here's Madeline and Dad doing their typical Saturday/Sunday morning routine... making breakfast! Today it was french toast, but pancakes are our usual fare.

Summer Fun

Madeline's first swim of the summer with our next-door-neighbor, Cooper.

Laura and Hunter's Wedding

Finally! I'm getting pictures of Laura's wedding posted here. These are just a few of the pictures I got from my camera, and unfortunately with both Madeline and me feeling under the weather that day, this is the only picture I got of Dan and me. He wasn't standing up, but bought himself a spiffy tie and handkerchief that went perfectly with my bridesmaid dress.

The reception was marvelous! Yummy food, beautiful surroundings, and just as we arrived a monsoon hit outside.

The Schmitt/Murray gang. Doesn't everyone look nice?

The happy couple!

Madeline and her favorite "Uh Maat" (Uncle Mark). We didn't get many smiles from her that day as she was running a fever, fighting an ear infection, and had nasty sores in her mouth. What a pretty girl, nonetheless.

My name is...