Life MORINteresting: Ellie's 9th Birthday Part 2, Traverse City and the Cottage!

While Luke was away at his baseball tourney, the 4 of us had fun too!! We painted Ellie's new bedroom!

Drew put together his Lego set from Auntie Nae and Uncle Freddy!

We went and saw Gigi at her new home in Memory Care. Sweet, Gigi. We had fun eating ice cream and watching the swimming Olympic events.

Afterwards, we headed over to Aunt Cathy and Uncle Tom's house to party up Ellie again!!

Our strong, kind, smart, beautiful birthday girl!

Favorite book: Harry Potter and Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Favorite Color: Any kind of blue

Favorite Food: Brownies, Buttered Noodles and Pizza

Favorite Sport: Basketball, gymnastics, and soccer

Best Friend: Riley, Lilah, Zaydee, Teresa, Katy, Kiera, Kayla, Ophelie & Amelia

Favorite Teacher: Ms. McConachie

Favorite Subjects: Math, Reading and Writing

You want to live: Michigan, Florida, or Wisconsin

When you grow up: I want to be a teacher or a teacher, soccer player, and a gymnast

One thing you hope for: Peace and love in the world

One thing that worries you: Losing family (passing away)

Favorite Pastime: Play with my cars, playing with my family, and watching TV

Favorite Outdoor Activity: Pirates, soccer, basketball and whiffle ball

Favorite Show: Just Add Magic

Favorite Movie: Harry Potter series, Cheaper By the Dozen

Favorite Sports Team: Olympics-USA, UofM, Tigers, Lions

We took a walk through Uncle Tom & Aunt Cathy's neighborhood and they have a "dinosaur house" down the street! The garden is filled with dinosaurs! Drew, our dino lover, was pretty excited.

Ellie got some really special birthday gifts!

We all sang to her as we showered her with a bunch of drinks to try! Yep. Elle's bday present from us was a stocked fridge. She is our drink girl, and loves trying different ones sooooo, enjoy it Elle!

We were so lucky to head up north to TC for the week!

1st Night was a Traverse City Pit Spitter game! They came away with a win. We came away with full tummies (1 penny hotdogs that night!), wet clothes (Especially Papa from the water balloon toss between innings!) and a free Pit Spitter t-shirt that Papa had caught for our birthday girl!

We love Grandma SO much!

The next day was Ellie's actual birthday! So off to Peace, Love and Little Donuts to start the day off right!

Then down to the Splash Pad!

We actually ran into 2 of my old third grade students on West Bay! Their Mom was also a para at my school. They had rented out the green, carpet float and they were so nice to share with us.

That night we headed out for cocktails and dinner to celebrate Elle AND Papa's birthday!

First up...Cocktails on the rooftop!

Birthday buddies!

Then off to North Peak Brewing for dinner.

I caught these 2 holding hands on the way...When they were little it happened more often but when it happens now, this Mama's heart just melts. I pray that they always find comfort in each other.

We love family time on East Bay!

Ellie and Papa opening bday gifts...

Drew bought Papa his favorite travel gum!

When friends become family... We had the most fun with Bing and Pat and kids! We LOVE these guys!!! Bing has been my bestie since we were paired together in 2nd grade and we LOVE watching our families grow up together.

Laney bringing out Elle and Papa's birthday brownies!

Elle, stop looking so grown up!

My sweet almost middle schooler but will always be my precious baby.

Date night with my man. We headed up to Nortport for the night. We stopped at Green Bird Brewery which is owned by Matt's SIL.

I love you, babe.

Shaving, bathing and washing in the bay for our nighttime routine is the best way to get ready for bed on these summer nights.

The boys wanted to "shave" too :)

These sweet faces of Drew...Yes, I have to post them all.

Mom and Dad Cooley...We love you!!! Thank you for loving our family and letting us crash at your place for the summer.

Sooo, off we went! We left TC and drove east on 72 to get to the Cottage for another week of vaca! Why not?! Livin' it up!

When we got there Aunt Cathy and Uncle atom had left some special gifts!

This is what going into 6th grade looks like...Lord, help me.

Luke's buddy has a cottage up by us and were up there for just one more day. Luke and Joey had so much fun going all over the neighborhood and golf course! I'm pretty sure that at one point they were swimming in the pond at the golf course with their goggles on and all. These are just a few of the random pics I later found on my phone.

Not only did Luke see Joey but Ellie made a friend too! She met a girl down the road who was visiting her Gma from Florida. They played together everyday and had so much fun! We were happy Ellie had a gal pal to play with for the week!

Elle and Drew LOVE catching frogs up here.

Ben took Luke for the first time to a golf range near us to practice for their golf game later that week.

And of course the beach....Heaven.

Out to ice cream at The Cove! This was a milestone ice cream trip...The 1st time everyone could see the choices over the counter all by themselves. No more lifting kids up to check out the flavors! Drew was so proud of himself.

Quiet nights...Some of my favorite times.

Annual golf trip...

The best view for dinner!

Uncle Tom and Aunt Cathy came up too!!

We taught Uncle Tom our ways of bathing at night in the Lake.

It was such a treat to take Bailey on our walks with us!

These 2. Always with a glove and ball.

We love you so much Uncle Tom and Aunt Cathy!

Drew had seen all of these golf balls in the pond on the golf course during the week while catching frogs. The last day he put on his trunks and goggles and after asking us and Aunt Cathy if it was ok to go in the pond...None of us could say no to that sweet face. So he literally dove and swam in the pond on the golf course!