Traverse City weekend

All the vacations we planned for this summer have included a beach for a reason, and on each of those summer vacations, the weather has prevented us from enjoying the beach. Instead of sulking, I've come to the conclusion that my good Lord is preventing me from skin cancer.

This past weekend we took a trip up to Traverse City with Andy's family. We stayed at a cottage that was right on the East Bay. Although we hit another cloudy, rainy vacation weekend, we had a great time. The view was phenomenal even with the sun hiding behind those clouds.

View from the deck overlooking Grand Traverse East Bay.
A few steps down the stairs...
And down the dry dock...
The beautiful lakefront...
The water was warm and calm. This time we didn't let the rain get in our way. Cami and I went for a swim despite the drizzle. Actually, I felt like a little kid again playing in the rain, and Cami loved it! She sure is a little fish.
This is the cottage from the shoreline..
This was the shack being built next door.
The girls managed to sneak out and get a pedi while the boys went golfing...My feet featuring Pompeii Purple
Me taking pictures. See me?!
Cami's been watching mommy take pictures and she now loves to control the little camera. She actually does really well and it's a whole production. Here's how it generally goes:
Wrong way honey...
She starts by showing you were she wants you, tells you to smile, checks out the picture and lets us know what the picture looks like. After this picture she laughed and said "I got your belly" and then proceeded to take another one.
Cami's turn to pose. She's a real ham for the camera.
Aunt Rachel and Cami being silly. This is their scary pose.
And their sweet pose.
Cami and Grandpa Kolzow
Cami and Uncle Jeff

Ludington Part 2: Partly Cloud and Cold

The rest of the week we kept asking if it was July because the weather was cool and for the most part cloudy. If glimpses of sun came out, we did stuff outside when we could...like climbing trees...


Andy and Dad went fishing and caught some pretty good size bass...
Cami tried to be excited, but she was mostly freaked out. She screamed when the fish jumped. This was just before that happened. She totally looks like she's fake-smiling and trying to be brave just for the picture.
Unlike the weather, good eating is something you can always count on at the cottage.
Cami and Uncle Brett.
We spent an evening at AJs playing arcade games, laser tag and mini golf. It was a really fun night.
Cami hit the jackpot on one of the games and tickets were pouring out the machine. She brought home a big teddy bear and a purple umbrella - the big winner of the evening!
Our second and last boat ride - it was really windy and cold, but it doesn't look all that bad in the picture does it?
Big shot Cami
Daddy's girl.

A detour back to GR

Back to Grand Rapids from Ludington for the Meijer Charity Classic. Last minute we got asked to play again in the tourney and of course we said YES!!! My friend Shari Fugate and I getting geared up for the game.
The LPGA pro we played with this year was Hana Kim. She played with a brace on her leg because she tore her ACL. Surgery was planned for the following week and her doctor gaver her permission to play in this pro-am. I was honored to play with her in her last game for quite some time - she'll be out of commission and in physical therapy for 8 months!
A picture of me and Hana. Love the clothes the women pros wear.

The charity dinner and auction at the JW.

Ludington Part 1: Sunshine Days

Our annual trip to Ludington started out great. We got a boat day on Saturday and a beach day on Sunday - a good start to our trip. Here are some pictures from the sunny parts of our trip.


Our friends Wendy and her little guy Wes came to visit and we headed to the beach. Both the kids did great. Although we only went for a couple hours, it felt like a long time. A two year old, a four month old and all the beach equipment to boot made for more work than relaxation, but nevertheless it was a great time!

Sweet shades Wes! Surf's up!
Cami loved climbing the dunes...well, the 4 foot hills at the bottom of the dunes. Still, a 4 foot hill has to feel huge to a two year old!
Cami lovin the sun like her mommy!
The highlight of our Ludington vacation was driving the boat. Cami talked about it all week long!
Pretty.
Pretty again.
One out of our two boat rides of the week on our first day at the cottage! Mom with friends Janet and Janice. We've all been vacationing together for over 10 years!
Cami decked out in the life jacket!
Wendy and Wes along for the ride too!