We came back to this

 My garden is growing crazy right now.

 We will be picking peas soon.

I'll be canning green beans within the week. 

 My cucumbers are climbing over and already have mini cucumbers.

 We brought back some blackberry plants back from the island.

They are in shock, but I'm hoping they pull through.

We picked all the cherries of the trees

and I had just enough to make a small batch of jam.

Love this time of year!

The Last Days of Vacation

We tried out a different beach this year,

which turned out to be lots less stress for this mama because it was so shallow.

 They all wanted to go on the raft at the same time, of course:)

 My gentleman of a son rowed my big girl to and fro.

I didn't even have to go in the water until...

 my eldest asked to take me for a ride...

How could I say no?

 The boys were addicted to playing Angry Birds.

"No Papa, turn that and then press that button."

It was pretty cute.

 My parents ready for the parade.

 My hubby and I.

 The kids anxious to get in the parade.

 This was the first year she rode her bike...no more buggie.

 We stuck towards the back.

  My mom and I walked them the whole way.

 They were excited to get back...they were famished.

(I just love this picture)

 A quick fishing trip in the morning before we left.

Yes, that's my eldest driving the boat!

 He caught more fish than we did that morning.

The ferry ride home is never a fun one:(

We had a wonderful time and

can't wait to go back.

Birthday Girl

 

Here is my birthday girl- 4 years old!

I can't believe it. 

 Her one request for her birthday was to help make the cake!

She does love food.

 We got a chance to go to the farm museum as well.

My eldest was so cute when we were looking at the gardens

and said, "Mom, animals can't read

so that's not going to keep them from eating the veggies."

It was so cute.

 The kiddos all said, "Now were Amish."

You can tell they see their share of Amish buggies.

Our friend from the island was driving so we

got the wagon ride to ourselves.

 Even the boys are having fun...

 but not as fun as the birthday girl!

Then came the celebration with friends from the island.

She loved blowing out the candles at her party.

She had a great day and was excited to get into

her new sleeping bag to try it out.

Date Night

My mom and dad offer to watch the kids

every year when we go to the island so that Zach and I can have a date night...

we inevitably go fishing.

You can't get more beautiful than this.

I didn't catch any fish,

but we had a wonderful time. 

I love this man!

Washington Island

Our trip started a day earlier than planned to head to Washington Island,

we had a chance to see my sister Jessica and her friend Ami that came for a visit.

It worked out great because we picked up my mom in Green Bay and headed up together.

 My vacation never really starts until we are on the ferry...

once I'm on it, I can unplug.

 Here's my love and I on the ferry.

 My Big girl and her dad wishing for bigger waves...

they don't have my motion sickness problem.

 Here's my oldest sis and my girls. 

The girls being taught how to braid hair.

 We all went to the mountain tower to drop off parachute men.

 We climbed all the stairs to see the men parachute down....

 and try to hit the target on the picnic table.

Warning: This is not as easy as it looks.

 We had a fun time trying...but alas, no one hit the target.

 Here's my beautiful mom and I on top of the tower.

 Here were are packing up the paratroopers for next time.

 My sis with the nieces and nephew.

 We ended that day with a trip to schoolhouse beach

where I saw something floating in the water...

so I went in to get it. 

It was a large piece of a driftwood that we carried back to the island home.

But it got everyone in the mood for swimming so we

got our swimming suits and came back for a dip.

It was great seeing Jessica and Ami on our trip,

we shared lots of laughs and logged some new memories.

I took so many pictures,

there are more posts to come from our trip:)

Until then...