Day 14.

We have been gone from home for 14 days. It seems like longer, really. And for once, I have been able to do so without wondering what's coming in the mail.....or whether our house will be OK.....or whether we're going to run out of money in our budget before we get home. To tell you the truth, I really haven't thought about home much.....OK, except when it is time for bed, because I really do miss my own bed. And I am ready for a few days of mosquito-free living, for sure, but I have really been able to keep my mind at peace and away from our typical home-stuff, which has been a good breather for the mind and soul.

Today is Saturday, and tomorrow we are heading home. On Thursday night, Matt's extended family arrived. And let me tell you, did they arrive. Many of you know that Matt is from a huge family (he has 6 brothers and 2 sisters) and there are 20 granchildren, so when they come rolling into a place, they don't do so quietly! It has been fun having family here, and the kids have loved playing with their cousins.....but the "quiet and relaxing" aspect of our vacation is definitely long gone, and we are a bit sad for that. The fun continues, it has just changed a bit! So, here are a few highlight photos from the last few days:

A few of the M. counsins at the beach:
I'm not sure what they were talking about sitting on that old log out by the water, but it was a precious shot:
Hayden was a willing volunteer when his Uncle Fred started burying kids:
A few of the M. brothers swimming in Lake Michigan with the kids:
A pretty sailboat that moseyed by:
This view of the dunes beyond the water catches my breath every time:
My little sun-kissed beach bums:
Grandma brought all the stuff to tie-dye t-shirts, so that was Fridays big project. It was fun to see each kid put his/her unique spin on the project, and they each turned out so unique.

I love this mosaic, which is encrusted in the door post at an art gallery/cafe called the "Trick Dog" in Elberta:

I can never resist a patch of daisies:
This is probably one of my favorite shots from the week. I decided to stay back on the beach while Matt walked out on the pier with the kids. And when I saw this shot, I was glad that I did:
Hayden and his Daddy, enjoying a float on the Lake Michigan waves:

Today (Saturday) brought a rainy morning, which put a damper on the boys' charter fishing trip. Instead, we ate a big breakfast and the headed out for putt-putt golfing. They had this cool old antique stove with heavy iron pans filled with colorful golf balls....and my husband thought I was off my rocker for taking a photo of it:
My hole-in-one (one of them....I actually shot 3!):
Kennedy and her cousing, Sam, loved the golfing.
Golf was followed by a trip to the local Hill Top Soda Shoppe, where they make their own ice cream with all local ingredients...they even make their own Diet Cola!
Tonight, the men are smoking 2 big turkeys in a make-shift smoker over the campfire, so dinner should at least be interesting! After dinner, we're headed to the beach one last time for a couple of family photos, and then the morning brings packing up and the long trip back to McBain to pick up Ruby before heading back home.