Ten Year Anniversary Trip: Baby Nephews

Ahhh summer. You wonderful beast. It was over a month ago that we took this epic road trip and I want to be back in the car with my Charlie right this moment, now. August is the cruelest month, isn't it? I know some of you hate February. Nope. August. It's slow. It's hot. It's ridden with pollen and summer colds. August bums me out if we don't take our vacation during this month. So I will continue to over post the heck out of this trip and to mark the dog days of summer with fond memories. 

I'd like to be back with Baby Nephew teaching him how to play UNO. It's the best game for 6 year-olds. He and E really got into it. Uncle ChaCha (E, Charlie) is really the greatest uncle. His sense of humor really comes out with the boys. He reminds me so much of his fun and funny mother. These two were cutting it up during our sunset game. 

Pastel sunset two.

I want to be back with Baby Nephew II at the lake. He was on the verge of getting sick while we were with him which sadly cut our visit with them shorter than expected. But man this little guy is just the sweetest. He is going to be the heart breaker of the trio. He thanked me specifically for playing with him. They are seriously well behaved.

I took so few photos when we were all together. This is a great shot of the new house next door. Elise is the most patient and incredible mother. Meeting Ollie for the first time was the best. He is such a happy baby.

I love boys! Wild things. Rumpus starters. 

Coco came for the stay too. We missed my brother. He was traveling for a work trip.

Baby nephews, bug spray and BBQ.

Baby Nephew III was just taking his first steps while we were together.

Daddy brought out smoked ribs and a full BBQ for lunch the day we were with the boys. After lunch, Dad passed out Cuban cigars to Uncle Cha Cha and he an Andrew had another epic Uno battle. I heard E tell Baby Nephew that he plays to win. It was so adorable! Andrew then won and told Charlie, I also play to WIN! UNO!!!

Ten Year Anniversary Trip: Lake Michigan

We made it to the lake by this time in the sky on July 8th. It had been five years since we had been back to visit.

We have very little beach this year. I guess when Lake Michigan doesn't freeze we have very little beach. Global warming y'all. Too warm to freeze, no beach, no beuno. It's always interesting to watch the water levels rise and fall over the years. 

Our neighbors did some beautiful landscaping and now live at the lake full time. 

Sunset Selfie. I love that E puts up with me. We really fell in love at Lake Michigan. We spent two whole weeks with Mom after only dating for four months, 12 years ago. It's such a special place for us.

He and Momma always get a good laugh, usually at my expense. I love this picture of E making Mom laugh. We are so lucky we all love each other so much.

I'm convinced David was with us too. These little orbs kept popping up in many of my pictures. Did you notice the blue one (David's favorite color) in the very first picture?

After the sunset we snuggled in for puzzles and books, and no internet. Pure bliss.

Red's Lobster Pot, New Jersey shore

We had the most beautiful evening at Red's Lobster Pot while on vacation. We asked around and heard fun things about this casual place on the water.

While taking photos of the incredible sunset, I met a family who had just ordered lobsters for the table. Lobster red is just one of the most beautiful colors on the face of the earth, don't you think? How obnoxious am I taking photos of someone else's food? They were so nice and I'm just that girl that snapped to my little hearts content.

Our food arrived just in time for the embarrassment to cease. I had the coconut crusted mahi mahi with pina colada sauce. E. had the fried seafood platter which I was very jealous of. I'm actually trying to get away from shellfish for my little healthy heart to stay healthy. We have a whole line of family members with the biggest hearts in the world, that don't tick so well. Shellfish is off the table for me sadly. The restaurant was BYOB and I had just happened to buy a chilled white wine for later at the B&B. It turned out to be a perfect night away from the boardwalk of Asbury Park and we scored with the wine.

I couldn't get over how magnificent the sunset was the night at Red's. My mother is notorious for taking sunset photos. Her roommate from college came up to visit at Lake Michigan and laughed and laughed at the wall of sunset photos at the cottage. Rebecca said that mother had been taking the same shots since she knew her in college. Sounds familiar! Mom is such a great photographer that you can buy her cards at the little shops in Glenn, Michigan! Love you sweet Momma of my heart. This picture makes me want to fly up to Michigan for the weekend and squeeze your face.