Summer to Remember

So.....I have been all over the radar for the past few months. I left my computer and all my organized thoughts at home. This summer I went on a few very interesting vacations with and without my family. Every trip I took was priceless. I had a perfect summer with my beautiful children and had the great opportunity to visit family I haven't seen in many years. This summer has certainly been the summer to remember! Hold on to your hats folks, this is gonna be a bumpy ride.....

First Stop: Hannibal, MO
We toured 2 Mark Twain Caves with one bat too many, dined with spoons on our noses, went on a dinner cruise, pretended we were Tom and Becky, Haunted a graveyard, and visited Mark Twain's boyhood home, just to name a few activities.

     

Second Stop: ARIZONA
We were certified in a world record event, escaped an Emo, gave TLC to a very special lady, got pruned..., took a day trip to the lake and found ourselves abandoned on a broken rented vessel, did some gardening, got sunburned and drank strawberries from a pineapple for breakfast?! All for the low low price of $998...(inside joke there)




Next Stop: Illinois Family Reunion
Rode a firetruck (or two), tubed down a mudslide, went fishing, built and shot off a rocket, made pottery, went on a hayride and floated votive lit apples on the lake. Did I mention being able to visit with some beautiful, fascinating people. 

    

Up Next: New Buffalo, MI
Went on Holiday with my sister-in-laws to revisit a mini vacation we took to the Lake House (Carefree Cottage) over 11 years ago. The weather was beautiful, the food was delicious, the people were lovely and the quiet was so very very peaceful. (Should have left our phones at home though). We found ourselves wanting to stay much longer than allowed. 

 

Next Stop...say what... New Buffalo, MI
Well......yep... New Buffalo again! So my sister-in-law forgot some very important items at the Lake House so it was mandatory we return to retrieve her items. We drove all the way back to MI for the day with all of our children and thought we might just hit the beach since we were already there. It was just beautiful and I enjoyed every minute watching my children swim and explore the beach. 

 



Final Stop...WHAT...New Buffalo, MI...AGAIN!
In 2 weeks, I visited New Buffalo 3 times. Like I mentioned before, I really didn't want to leave New Buffalo. My husband and I were given the opportunity to go on a weekend get-away. With no destination in mind, we got in the car and drove.....and drove.  We called many hotels, all with no rooms available. The wind blew us to a beautiful hotel in the woods of New Buffalo. Our stay was wonderful and relaxing. I got my first ever spa massage with my man and dined at a wonderful steak house. On our way home, we stopped at the Indiana Dunes and walked the overcrowded beach.

There were so many wonderful things I experienced this summer. It was the best summer I have had. My trips were very spontaneous and that brought more excitement and enjoyment into every moment. This summer opened my eyes to the importance of spontaneity. Stop planning every little thing and just enjoy what is available to you in the moment.