SC Beach Trip

We had such a great time at the beach!  The kids absolutely loved playing in the ocean and in the sand.  It was perfect for running around, crawling, swimming, and building drip castles.  We had lots of beautiful weather for our little beach bums.  We also enjoyed cooking yummy seafood dinners at the house and tortured the kids with some outlet shopping.  :)

Finley got to have a piece of donut...with sprinkles!

Elise and Isaac sharing sand toys

Beautiful weather

This didn't work so well

We caught a starfish, but returned it to the ocean after a few minutes

Examining sea creatures

Playing in the baby pool under the beach house

Maddie enjoying the breeze with Granddad

Swinging in the hammock

Lost and Found

Here are some photos we forgot about from Nate's iPhone.

Father's Day at Finley's school

Finley's first trip to the dentist back in HK

And the rest are all in MI:

Finley, Marlow, Clementine & Lucy

Finley at CSA tennis lessons

Getting measured on Fafee & Grandma Holly's board

Elise wearing the top Grandma Jane made

Grandma Jane dressed Finley in Nate's old clothes after he got messy at her house

Michigan, Part 2

Later this summer, Nate's grandmother will be turning 90!  We celebrated a bit early with a huge party at Amy and Jim's house so more family and friends could attend while in town.  Guests enjoyed music, food, and drink with a great view of the sun setting over Lake Michigan.

Cooper, his girlfriend Jana, and her son Riley

Kay and her children

And with (most of) her grandchildren

Our kids weren't in the mood for a family photo

The radiant birthday girl

The 4th of July started out freezing cold and foggy, but turned into a beautiful evening.  Nate even made a fire that morning at the cottage-- a first for me!  We continued the tradition of watching the parade from Aunt Sue's house, and had a family dinner at her house that night.  Finley spent much of the parade with his hands over his ears, but was excited to see all the yellow and red fire trucks.  Elise slept on me in the carrier, despite all the loud noises.

Michigan, Part 1

We made it to the States a week and a half ago!  It was a very long journey.  The kids had their moments, good and bad, as did we.  But we made it!  Jet lag has lingered this time, maybe because we've had 4 people to deal with, who have all had their own unique reactions to it.  We're mostly over it now other than it being hard to wake up in the mornings and from naps.  Appetites are even coming back.

Michigan has been lovely though unusually cold this summer.  We have been so fortunate to get to see some of Nate's family who we hadn't seen in way too long.  We've met new family members and reunited with some old ones.  We're staying at the Dennison cottage again this summer, making it our home base as we visit Fischers, Dennisons, and Hollenbecks galore.  As you can imagine, many photos have been taken.  Here is Part 1 of the highlights.   

The first set of photos are from a CSA Monday Night Dance.

Such a treat to have these cousins and second cousins (I think) together this year!  From L to R, Elise (9 mo), Lucy (3), Clementine (4), Whitman (13 mo), Marlow (6), Finley (3).

The next set of photos are from a Dennison/Hollenbeck/Shreiner beach picnic for Clementine's 4th birthday.

Finley didn't mind the cold water!

Elise was curious about the sand on her hand

Ring Around the Rosie with the parachute

The next set of photos are from Crystal Mountain, where we took the kids up the ski lift and down the alpine slide.

Killing time on the playground first.

Elise loved having Finley push her on the swing.

Peek-a-boo, Fafee!

How I spend much of my time, dragging around children

Marlow having a ball with Grandma Holly