Bad Blogger! Bad!

Okay, fine...I haven't updated our blog in over a month! It's summer, so I don't really have a great excuse, but being a newlywed (does that expire on September 13?) is still keeping me busy. Between our family lake vacation in Michigan, a last minute trip to Minnesota to be with Annie, Vacation Bible School, a visit from Anna and another from Skippy, dog class and training with Alley, Seafair and preparing for our big Olympic Peninsula camping trip, which starts TODAY...there hasn't been tons of extra time for typing! Here are the highlights from Michigan and Minnesota the last weekend of June and the beginning of July...

This is the beautiful cottage we rented through http://www.vrbo.com/ on Lake Fenton in Michigan. Jon and I convinced both sides of our family to join us for a long weekend of reunion and relaxation. EVERYTHING was red, white, and blue. I thought it might drive me crazy, but it was actually cute for a cottage.

We spent lots of time drinking...which the rest of the pictures will reinforce! Flat Annie and Ted tried out the deck together with a cocktail.
We also read a lot. Here's my beautiful little sister-in-law, McKenna.

The Meyer's taught Jon's family how to play Euchre. HOURS OF HILARITY insued!

We didn't have keys to use the jet ski, but I thought I'd try it out anyway. It was pretty windy, rainy, and cold to be in the lake much, but it didn't really damper our fun at all!

Jon was trying to convince everyone that I think his neck is ugly.

A group photo!

And another...Lorie was in love with the neighbors' pontoon boat, "Cinnamon Skin", and finally convinced the rest of us to sneak over for a photo. Silly!

It was SUCH a fun weekend and we have unanimously agreed that this needs to be an annual event for our families. Hooray! Now we just need a name and a t-shirt logo. Any creative ideas out there?

During, our trip home, Annie got REALLY sick in Minnesota and asked me to come see her, so Jon flew home to Alley and Oscar alone and I extended my vacation another 5 days, detouring to first Mayo Hospital in Rochester and then Annie's house in Red Wing, Minnesota.

Annie is SUCH a good sport. Her hair was beginning to fall out, so she just wanted to shave it off again. Anna was MORE than happy to take care of that, and the rest of us were really happy to be a part of the big moment. Me, Annie's Mom, and some other friends and sorority sisters made it Spa Night, and I got to give Annie a pedicure in her hospital bed!

Luckily, Annie was released from the hospital while I was there and I got to spend three days with her in gorgeous Redwing, MN. She took me up to Memorial Park, one of her favorite spots, to see the bluffs, Mississippi River, and the beautiful view.

I also got to meet Annie's amazing new boyfriend, Patrick! LOVE HIM!It was just amazing to see the outpouring of love and support for Annie and her family from so many different friends. It seemed like fun surprises were there to greet her every time we came to her front door.
I spent the Fourth of July with Annie. Here's us at the Farmer's Market in the morning and she was able to have a bonfire with some family, friends, and neighbors that evening. I can't imagine a better way to spend the holiday.

My favorite part of the trip was on the last morning when Annie woke me up before anyone else was around with a cup of coffee, and we had two hours just to ourselves, to chat and cuddle and laugh and cry. Amazing. I love my Annie. Keep fighting, Girl!