4th of July

Like last year, we celebrated the 4th at my friend Erin's house. She used to work with me at West potomac but has since moved to another school closer to her home. We were in great company with Erin's brother and his girlfriend along with another co-worker of mine, and family friends of Erin.

We had thought about heading into DC for the 4th since Landon is at the age where he likes the fireworks. Since Libbie doesn't know what to think of them we opted to stay local instead of traveling on the metro with every other person in the DC metro area. Andrew and I have been to DC (our first 4th in Virginia) to watch the fireworks and we will take the kids soon.

Erin always does a great job hosting parties and she did it again. Usually we bring something to contribute to the party, but since we had just got back into town the day before she graciously told us not to worry about it!

We hung out outside playing ladder golf, eating snack, drinking yummy drinks and watching the kids play.
We then headed inside for more eating and a few more drinks. Libbie made herself at home in the dogs kennel.
Once dinner was over and the sun went down, we headed back outside to watch simple fireworks right in the neighborhood. Derrick (Erin's husband) and I were the photographers of the night and thought we should get a picture of each other. I'm guessing there's a similar picture of me on Erin's camera!
We watched the fireworks
which Landon gave an enthusiatic thumbs up...
and Libbie did not. She watched from inside the house with the dog!
The party didn't end when the fireworks ended, we headed back inside for some desserts and more playtime.
Nicky (Erin & Derrick's son) loved giving me faces instead of taking a normal picture. I guess, where's the fun in a normal picture when you can make that face!?

Thanks again Erin & Derrick...we had a great time!

Heading Home

When we travel to and from Leland we always stop in Ohio to break up the 14 hour drive. On the way to Leland we stopped in Cleveland but got there after dinner so it didn't leave alot of time to visit with my aunt, uncle, and cousins. We decided that on our way back home, we would stop in Cleveland again (we sometimes stop in Columbus like last year) so we could visit a bit more. We arrived in Cleveland around noon so we had the entire day to hang out.

We started by having the kids play at the pool. No one was really there and the baby pool was empty which was great for Landon & Libbie (if she would go in). Landon loves playing with my cousin Moe.
Libbie acted like she wanted to swim, but would go in the water, despite how wet she looks
After some pool time, my aunt and cousin Moe headed into town to check out all the new Vera Bradley patterns and bags that are at the shop she works. I wanted almost everything! We then came home for dinner and then headed back to town to watch the local firework show, they celebrated on the 2nd of July.
Landon was really excited to watch the fireworks...
Libbie was not, and watched them from the car.

Leland 2011 Part IV: Sunset Drive

I had never done the sunset drive, but it was something I wanted to do this year. Since the second week we were in Leland had better weather, it made for a great night for the drive. We followed my aunt, uncle, 2 cousins and grandmother since they had been plenty of times before. The drive is in a National Park and you drive through 2 different environments. You begin in a very covered and lush green area that leads out to the sandy dunes. Along the way there are stopping points. We got out at the halfway point and then again at the top where you watch the sunset.

When you arrive at the dunes, this sign greets you. Don't worry, none of us tried heading down the dunes.
My cousin Katy and Landon on top of the dunes.
There is a small area where the kids can climb and run around...Landon loved it.
here are my cousins Katy & Andrea (sisters) and Andrea's children on one of the lookout points.
An attempt at a family photo on the dunes...the kids weren't quite cooperating. I guess that's what you get with a 3 and 1 year old.
As were were walking around we saw deer...
and a porcupine!
Grandma sat and watched the sunset while everyone else ran all over.
This is the end of the sunset that night...it was absolutely gorgeous.
I think we plan on adding this trip every year (as long as weather permits).

Leland 2011 Part V: Views from Around Leland

I think our week in Leland is probably one of my most favorite weeks of the year. Here are some pictures from our weeks in Leland of family and sites around town. I wish I could take all my friends to Leland...I know for sure that if they came they would fall in love with it, too!

Until next year...

Leland 2011 Part III: Fun in the Sun

Unfortunately, the weather did not permit too much beach time. When we could get out to the beach, we took full advantage of it. One afternoon there was a window of a couple hours, so we hurried down to Good Harbor Beach to build the annual dam.

Kinley, Chance, and Landon "helped" build the dam. It was the first time for all 3 of them.
There is a stream of water that leads to lake Michigan and when we build the dam we do so in two places. One is further away from Lake Michigan. The other is closer to the lake and our goal is to change the direction of the flow of the water...this is the outcome.
After such hard work, a snack was much needed.
The Saturday that everyone left, the weather was gorgeous so we spent the day at the beach right in Leland.
We had a great time playing in the sand, sun, and water.
One of our last days (during the 2nd week we were there), Libbie found a Vespa and had to climb on board.
Then she was shocked to see a minnow swimming in her bucket that Landon caught.

We were extremely lucky to have better weather the second week and were able to spend a few more days at the beach.

Leland 2011 Part II: The Pie Contest

Later in the week we had our 2nd Pie Contest. This year we had to have 2 categories of pie, fruit pies and non fruit pies. We gather at another house where we eat, drink, play and eat some more.

Here are a mixture of grand children and great grandchildren on the dock.
A glimpse of the pies in the contest.
My Uncle Brian, the cheater, had my Grandma make his crust for the pie he submitted but was disqualified due tot he fact that he used Grandma's crust.
Grandma won the non-fruit pie category.
The newlyweds on the dock.
The kids could spend all day in the hammock swinging each other around and around.