Without training wheels

Both kids have learned to ride their bikes without training wheels this summer. Drew mastered it back in April, and Belle began in July. Belle is still learning the finer elements on stopping and such. Drew has had a little more time to practice and desperately wants to "ride single track" like daddy. Here's a couple scenes from our time while learning. 

Staycation

We are certainly fortunate to be able to have a stay-cation in "The Most Beautiful Place in America". But the week flew by about as fast as the Blue Angels overhead during the Cherry Fest.

We started out the week with a beautiful day. I took a run down by Clinch park and had this view to admire the whole time. We then took a late day float on the Crystal River - each of us (mom and dad) guiding a canoe. We did the long trip and it was super fun, but certainly a work out for our arms to fight against the wind that kept sending us in circles. We took a couple breaks to hop out and play along the way.

Wednesday was Alexis' birthday. It started out a bit rainy and yucky, so we filled our bellies at J & S Hamburg stand with yummy comfort food. It was so good. And since it was raining, we decided to fulfill Drew's deep desire to go bowling. So we threw a game or two and then went home for a rest. That night was date night, we started at the Holiday Inn and then headed to Apache Trout Grill. The weather had turned completely around - it was a beautiful night to sit on the patio and enjoy the scenery and company.

Thursday was another beautiful day. This time we spent it with our friends the Mays. We rode the dune bike trail that had been put in recently. What a lovely, serene ride. We were able to stop at Dawson State Park and enjoy the view of the dunes and Manitous while searching for rocks and Petoskey stones.

The rest of the weekend we spent listening to the Blue Angels either practice or watching them fly overhead, spent time at the Cherry Fest on the rides, at the art fair…

It was a great vacation and hard to get back to the grind. Love that considering we didn't have to leave town!