Growing up in Northern Michigan means that the Southern Summer does not compare. One does not just replace pristine Lake Huron waters with inlake lakes. You cannot compare population size without choking on your Jack n' Coke. Although it's not comparable, Southern Michigan does has it's perks, like, job security (lol!) and we have found amazing connections with our neighbors that enable us to have many get togethers, sporadic and planned thought the summer. I can be found a lot of days on my porch laughing with friends as our children run amuk around the hood.
One lovely advantage we have is my Aunt Shawn's Lake Columbia lot. It's a 20 min drive to an open lot for the the children to run into and swim and we've definitely taken advantage of it! Not complaining at all!
Well, it's agreed upon, Northern Michigan is freakin' awesome in the summer, but we've had our fair share of enjoyment down here and it started at the end of June with the Annual Roehrig Family Gathering to celebrate Grandpa Roehrig's Birthday and Father's Day which was the last weekend of June. The day was weather perfect, warm, but not too hot and the sun shining bright above. We ate, talked, and played, and had another great gathering.
We took Max's bow (my old one, in great shape still. One that I used to outshoot all the boys with) and we was finally able to shoot it. Uncle Larry was right there to offer advice! It was a pretty cool moment in my little 7 year old's life!
Another highlight was a crop duster that flew right over the house. All the children a most of the adults scampered outside to watch it zoom back and forth over the house. Farmland was not abundant where I grew up, so it was pretty cool to see so close!
Next up was July 4th. The red, white and blue Holiday was spent at my sister's house this year. We had no plans, they had no plans, so we decided to stay away from the Northern heading traffic and drive to Ortonville for a night. We arrived Friday afternoon and stayed until Saturday evening. Charlotte is fortunate to have a beautiful chunk of property and despite the bugs, we spent most of the time outside!
Tom, Mike, and five children even slept in a tent for the night! Yeah, I'm shocked too. It was a fun idea, one we all thought that would never last, but they made it all night! Charlotte and I decided the house was much more appealing than a tent. This was my children's (and Maizey's) first time ever tenting it for a night, big deal, and great memories!
Tom snuck away and purchased a Red Rider BB gun for the children to have (supervised) fun with with. Max was in heaven. Max was on cloud nine. Noelle, Violette, and Zane enjoyed shooting too.
Campfire, s'mores, fireworks, sparklers, it was a day filled with everything summer related!
Ok, so the tent was lined with four twin mattress (not blown up ones, real ones) and plenty of blankets and pillows, so I use the term "tent camping" very loosely.
I'm not sure how it happened, but my foursome all had Fourth of July themed shirts to where the next day, and did wear them, but no picture of it exists. I did get pictures of their fun on the slip and slide my mom bought for the children!
By the time we packed and left for home the children were worn out. We arrived home, bathed and tucked the children in bed early for a 4th of July night (before 9pm) but they were all so exhausted and completely covered in mosquito bites! Outside, it sounded like a complete war zone with so many fireworks going off to the left, and the right. The children NEVER woke up once (a small boom of thunder sends the all to our room, frequently). It was a great way to spend the 4th!
The next weekend Alex decided, kind of last minute, to come spend the weekend with us! Needless to say, the children and I, and of course, Tom, were over the moon about getting some quality time with Alex. We took a quick trip to Lake Columbia, went to the movies, and just hung out with our favorite 23 year old!
Next up, Max attended a mad scientist camp put on by our local ISD. For the low price, the all day (9 to 3pm) camp, they went on field trips, did many experiments, had lunch, went out to ice cream, the list seemed endless of the information and experiences crammed into the five days! I was very impressed. Max also made the front page of the Adrian Daily Telegram! He was pretty stoked about his new fame!
I have working on another post. A post that contains my new favorite thing made for me by the hands of my talented and gifted father....I can't seem to photograph the item to my liking. The lighting never seems right to highlight it's beauty. In due time.
That's all for now. This week I am teaching Vacation Bible School for a large group of very tiring 3 and 4 year olds!
Enjoy each day of summer. Get out, talk to neighbors, talk a walk, shoot some hoops, take a dip, indulge in an ice cream cone, live a little!
2 comments:
I grew up in Southern Michigan, but spent most of my summers in Northern Michigan so I agree with you completely, that the summers can't compare, but thankfully we can still have fun in the south. I am thrilled to see so many fun pictures and times with family for you guys. We still need to get together! We just opened our pool finally!
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