The Cottage 2019

Our cottage trip 2019 was once again AMAZING!! This trip we found ourselves more in relaxation mode. We usually are out and about each day but I think all of us were just happy to be in one spot, at the cottage, with each other, and have a week to just chill and relax!! Our trip started a little unorthodox, as we left for the cottage just before 9 pm (So I could pick up my Jimmy John's before it closed....of course!). We stopped, got a late dinner, and we thought we were on our way. However, at the Clarkston exit we realized we FORGOT the cottage key!! Oy vey. Back home we went and we were seriously considering just staying the night back at home. Welp, we decided to stay the course! Back on the road around 10:30 pm for our trip! We even stopped at the grocery store where Ben ran in and picked up some of our food for the week as I stayed in the van with our 3 sleeping babies. We arrived at 2 am!!! Got everybody in and unpacked the car.

The next morning though...THIS was our view and agenda for the day!!! It was so worth it to wake up to this!!!

And everybody agreed!

That night we were getting hungry to eat and Ben came in out of no where and asked, " Who wants ice cream for dinner?!" Well, you can imagine how that went over. Yelping, and cheering, Luke started beating his chest... It was the best. We headed to our ice cream spot, The Cove, for dinner! As we licked our cones, we went for a walk downtown and to the marina. Drew's smile says it all.

We walked through the marina chasing seagulls and picking out which boat we would by we played at the park for a long time! This was so much fun and a highlight for me. We played a family game of tag until all of us were out of breath. It was so cool to see Luke win and beat his Dad! Luke can officially tag Ben and we couldn't believe it! We continued to play all the way back to town where we decided to get pizza for dessert. 😜

Sticky and sweaty, baths for everyone! Drew rocked the cottage sink bath again. This might just be the last time a Morin kiddo gets a sink bath. Tear...

Waking up with a view and a bro.

On Monday, we pulled out the kayaks and tubes. Luke and Drew were in one kayak and Elle in the other! Ben and I were in the tubes and at one point we attached all of the 4 things together with a rope and just floated on Lake Huron.

Tuesday Mom and Dad came to celebrate our birthday buddies...Papa and Elle!

We went out to eat at our hot spot, Wiltzie's! All of the kiddos with Papa!

Back at the cottage for birthday cake. I can hear them singing through these pictures!

Here they are singing to Papa..." Are you 1, Are you 2, Are you 3..."

Still counting and Dad dancing...

Still counting...

We got there!!! Phew.

Happy birthday Ellie and Dad!! Dad and Papa, we love you just so, so much. You are the very best.

Papa and Gma left and we were just hanging out when....THE TRAIN!! We heard it for the first time and if you have been to the cottage when we hear the train you know the excitement that it ensues! This year, Luke just took off out the front door. Literally. The 4 of us hopped in the van and Luke had gotten all the way down the street where we picked him up. This little tradition is so fun!

 The next day, Auntie Nae came for a visit! This was the first time she has made it to the cottage and we were all excited to have her there!

Ellie was so excited for her new Polaroid camera!!

We all gave Auntie Nae extra long hugs as she left for Jerusalem the next week. We were so happy to see her before she left!

The next morning (Thursday), we actually got up and going and headed to the Dunes!

Views from the top! The cool thing about these dunes is that you actually start at the top. We have so much fun running down the STEEP dune and splashing right into the lake at the bottom!!! The climb back up though.

We did it! This was the first year, Ben or I (OK, really Ben) didn't have to help anyone back up! Everyone made it back up the Dune all by themselves!!!! It was the most successful trip as of yet!

That afternoon Uncle Tom, Aunt Cathy and Bailey came for a visit!! We always love having time with Uncle Tom and Aunt Cathy and we are so thankful to have the chance to stay at their cottage! I didn't get any pics of us but Bailey stole all of our kids' hearts!!

The next morning was our last day. Ben took Luke golfing while I stayed with the 2 littles to start cleaning and packing up. When they get to the hole though close to the cottage, they always swing by and pick us up in the golf cart to hit a few holes!

A couple of pros!

It was another peaceful and beautiful stay for us at the Cottage! We just love it here so much and we're so grateful for Uncle Tom and Aunt Cathy for always sharing it with us. Till next time!