Official guacamole taste testers.
Since we couldn't find 30 inch concrete pavers for our front patio, Derek had to make them. Fisher was only too happy to help.
Concrete all mixed and poured in 100 degree heat no less.
Grandma Fest 2012. Fisher and his cousin Bo were attached at the hip.
They called each other Bro's.
Phoenix with no fear of climbing the ladder to the pool.
Grandma with all her grand kids (minus Wyatt).
Phoenix, you sat in some sprinkles.
We took our neighbors, George and Nina, out for breakfast for their birthdays.
We woke up at 5 am last Sunday and drove 9.5 hours to Traverse City, MI. The kids were champs in the car. No one hardly spoke for the first five hours--just looked out the window in a daze and listened to music. We were at the beach within 30 minutes of arriving.
Fisher getting a lesson in surfing by a pro surfer (on tour around the world putting on contests and giving lessons to kids). Fisher got 2nd place in the dance contest.
No real waves, but the surfer did his best to give him the feel of it. By the end of an hour he was standing without support.
Phoenix had to give it a go.
Relaxing on the beach.
Getting ready to head out for a stroll to check out the Cherry Festival.
As part of the festivities, they had a turtle race and Fisher insisted on joining.
He got 1st place in his heat, and a fancy blue ribbon.
Walking downtown after dinner. Traverse City is one of my favorite places in the country.
Back at the hotel to catch the sunset. Phoenix has learned to say "cheese".
The first of many family sunset photos.
No trip to the beach without being buried in the sand.
This kid pretended he was a zombie crawling out of the ground in the Thriller video.
We rented a boat to troll around the bay.
After a picnic, the kids took turns driving.
Zombie face.
Impromptu dance session while waiting for our dinner.
Dessert everyday.
Forget the corn bin, up there they have cherry pits.
Another sunset over the bay.
On Wednesday we drove up to Grand Marais, MI on Lake Superior. Within 30 minutes of picking our camp site we were at the beach. Sense a pattern yet?
The cleanest water in the world at the end of the world.
Having dinner at the local brewery, one of the only business in the town.
Downtown Grand Marais. This is Derek's favorite little place.
If not for the Thule rack some friends loaned us, I don't know how we would have packed everything in.
Walking through the dunes from our campsite to the beach.
We hung out there at the waters edge and picked rocks for 2 hours awaiting the sunset.
At home on the water.
Rocks, sand with Phoenix, dunes, and the tree line where our tent was hidden.
Someone way down the beach was setting off some fireworks.
Crazy Phoenix and grunting Fisher. Yep, that about sums it up.
One of the best I've ever seen. I'm telling you that place really feels like the end of the earth.
And another.
Fisher is a fan of burning the marshmallows so he can blow out the fire.
Tent time in the morning. Fisher told me that the next time we go on vacation he only wants to camp.
In his element.
After GM, we drove to Green Bay and stopped by our old neighborhood to see who was around. The Jacques still have Fisher's name in chalk on their porch that was written well before we even moved. They say they will never wipe it clean so I hope to have many more photos like this in the years to come.
Derek chatting it up with Joe and Maria Jacque and Harry and Marian Meyer.
Before we left town we stopped by Bay Beach amusement park.
Then it was up to our friends cabin in the Norther WI woods, where shortly after our arrival we were in our suits and on a boat.
Crystal and Amy laughing at Fisher's wedgie.
Another impromptu dance session before dinner.
Day 2 at the lake.
We parked the boat on an island and waded around for several hours with several good friends we miss dearly.
Wish we could make this happen more often. I'm thinking it will become an annual affair.
Fisher and Tony were buds the whole time.
Derek having a go at skiing after a decade long hiatus. He's still a champ, but his body is still feeling the pains.
Kevin feeding the fish.
Sweet.
Cheers.
Did I mention how much I miss these folks?
Phoenix and her look.
Fisher and his big grin with Kevin. You can tell how loved our kids feel among this crew.
Fisher gave Tony a matching hat.
The long drive home...
