Michigan Vacation~Part 1...The Lake House

We left for our 2 week Michigan vacation on a late Tuesday night (June 29)...
...after a red-eye flight from PHX to Detroit, the 3 hour time difference and the hour drive to the lake house...this is how we all felt!

The first day we hung out just relaxing. We played in the water, played games, napped, ate and hung out.

Day 2 brought us to the Ann Arbor Hands On Museum.

After spending the morning at the museum we headed back to the lake to spend the rest of the day chillaxin' by the lake and soaking up the sun!

Day 3 we headed into town to walk around and check it out.

We are a family who loves jiffy mix...we use it for biscuits, muffins, pancakes...anything baking! YUM

The boys and I in the town square

After walking around town & having lunch we headed back for more fun in the sun...

The boys 'trying' to use the rowboat! So very funny!

Ryan learning to fish for the first time.

The boys having a blast splashing around in the lake.

The next day was Saturday and the day that our cousins came to play!
On the boat

It was the 4th of July party on the Lake (even though it was only the 3rd of July!) There was a boat parade of all of the decorated boats...we dressed up too!

Lunch with family

Hitting water balloons off of the deck...such boys!

Swimming & playing in the lake

Family picture...us along with Gramma & Papa and Ryan's 2 brothers & their families

Anytime we get together there is ALWAYS a game of wiffle ball involved!

Sunset Pictures

Sparklers are always fun!

Last day at the lake with Gramma & Papa

Thanks for a fantastic time!!

And with the sun setting on the lake so does our time there...the next day we head back to our hometown and best friends for the rest of our Michigan vacation!

Project 365~ 2 Weeks Worth

Celebrating 12 years with my hubby!
Happy Anniversary Ryan...love you lots!
Here's to many many more

OK...Well I am finally back after a wonderful 2 week vacation with friends and family! I had a very fun and relaxing time; but now back to reality! I am catching up on 2 weeks worth of my project 365! Hope you enjoy!

A Picture a day for 365 days...a year's worth of fun!
I hope you have as much fun seeing a peek into my week as I am posting about it!

Sunday~163/365

My 2 boys and their 4 cousins standing on the deck overlooking the lake at Gramma & Papa's lake house. This is where we spent the first part of our vacation!

Monday~164/365

The boys standing in front of a special park by our old house.

Tuesday~165/365

One of our favorite ice cream joints back in Michigan...YUM!

Wednesday~166/365Wednesday night we headed to a special friend's house for dinner. It had been at least 4 years (maybe longer) since seeing Sarah and her family! It was fun to catch up!

Thursday~167/365 Free Summer Bowling...can't ask for anything more...especially on a rainy day!

Friday~168/365

Friday found us at the water park...fun times in the pool, waterslides, lazy river and water fun house! Great way to cool off on a hot afternoon!

Saturday~169/365

Saturday we headed to a minor league baseball game with the clan from Mimi's house! Lots of fun...Actress & Colin were able to be the Bat girl & boy and all of the kids got a baseball! They were able to run the bases and pose with players and get autographs too! So much fun and the best part...The Oakland Cruisers brought home a win!

Sunday~170/365 Sunday I met up with my high school best friend. In the last 18 years this is only the 2nd time we have been able to catch up. We lost touch after our sophmore year in college and then she found me in 2001 and we met for lunch. Now 9 years later we have reconnected thanks to facebook and were able to meet over breakfast and catch up! It was great to see you Kristie!

Monday~171/365 Dinner with friends! Jake is an awesome baseball player and after dinner was on his way to one of his games. If his team wins their next tourney they will head out our way for the Nationals! And that is what we are hoping for! Great to see you Lisa & Jake!

Tuesday~172/365 On our way back to AZ after a wonderful 2 weeks in MI!

Wednesday~173/365 Here is Ryan & Brendan getting ready for fantasy football season. Ryan has always been big into fantasy football & baseball and this year he is allowing Brendan to manage his own fantasy football team. Can I just tell you how excited Brendan is! He watched Ryan draft his team on Wednesday to get ready for his own draft on Thursday!

Thursday~174/365

Thursday morning I woke up to find Brendan mapping out his draft! He made a list in the order that he wanted to draft his players. At noon he was involved in a 'live' draft for his fantasy football team...he is really getting into this!

Friday~175/365

3 words....HOLY HOTNESS BATMAN!

Saturday~176/365 And so it begins...again...football season that is! Saturday was the day of the first team meeting for the boys' football season. It was also equipment handout. Ryan leaves today (Sunday) for his week up north with his team for football camp. We will be into the full swing of things on Monday August 2...don't be jealous...lucky me!

This is what Sara says on her blog about Project 365...
"I am attempting to take one photograph each day of this next year. My hope is to be able to slow down and see the small things, become a better photographer and to be reminded of the many blessings God sends my way! "

Well said Sara...thanks for letting me tag along!
Join in with Sara...It's not to late to join the fun!

Look This Way PLEASE!

Thank You Very Much!

Thanks to Mimi for the photo shoot!
We lov'em!

Letters of Intent

Dear Delta Airlines,
I just wanted to give a HUGE shout out to Vicki, our flight attendant, on our flight from Phoenix to Detroit.
She was great from the minute we sat down until the minute we got up. We were the first passengers on the plane due to Colin's surgery (he was brought down the midway to the door by wheelchair), so we had a long wait for the plane to load. She made the boys feel like they were VIP! Made them feel very special indeed. She also handed out FREE snacks to them while they waited...Pringels and m&m's...YUM... over $10 worth...ALL free! Thanks Vicki for making this red eye flight a little more pleasant!
Sincerely,
The mom of the well snacked boys


Dear Michigan,
THANKS for an awesome 2 weeks. Makes us really miss all of the green and things back home. We had a blast and the weather was AWESOME! (it only rained once). Our first stop was the lake house...

We had so much fun with our family...playing & swimming & fishing & boating & laughing & well everything!

And then we headed southeast to our hometown and our besties...He & Me + 3...

...once again the weather was great and we all got along great, like no time had passed at all. We had lots of fun with our friends...swimming & bowling & movies & s'mores & water parks & baseball games & crafts & games & laughing & just hanging out.

We will miss you Michigan but will hold dear to all of the memories that we have made these last 2 weeks!

Until next summer....
The family that is happy to be home but will miss you

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Letters of Intent

Dearest Mimi (& Agent),
I just wanted to say THANKS once again for putting up with the McCraken Family for an ENTIRE week. THAT is a long time for 9 people in one house with only 1 shower!! We are having a blast and are loving spending so much time with you.

I also want to say a HUGE sorry about the hole....



...that my son Colin, YOUR Godson, put in your basement wall. I know you said it was not a big deal and that it only gets you one step closer to drywall...BUT I feel AWFUL and sadly I am sure that I will be unable to find that paneling to fix it since it's probably from the 1960s!! So I will gladly buy you another Justin Beiber poster to put over this latest hole and let Colin be your slave boy for as long as we are here! And if you do need any repair money...the check is in the mail!

Love your bestie,
The mother of the kid who doesn't know his own strength *sigh*

p.s. Hoping you have us back next summer!!

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