This was our first year at Indian River. Previous years we were in Brimley, Michigan in the upper peninsula. It was a nice change. I personally liked being closer to the shores of Lake Michigan. The kids and I spent many of the days at the beach. You can never go wrong with the beach, sand toys and snacks!
Our other time was spent at the lodge catching up with family and watching the olympics til midnight each night! One day we went putt putt golfing and did bumper boats with my 2 cousins and her son. Tori was not a fan of either activity, Kasey LOVED the bumper boats and Wylie loved the putt putt and boats! My cousin, Philip, challenged me to a game of putt putt and we tied.... 3 years.... REMATCH!
One of the most memorable things for me was Tori's confusion with my Uncle Will. If only I had a video to capture the moment. My dad was out golfing and my Uncle Will was sitting outside when Tori ran up to him, crawled up his lap and started hugging him and kissing his cheek. I instantly knew that she thought it was my dad, her grandpa. She backed off a bit, took a real good look at Uncle Will and said, "Grandpa, where is your mustache?" Takes another look around at him then says, "You have a different watch." Then looks at his hair and says, "your hair looks different today." I said, "Tori this is Grandpa's brother, my Uncle Will." She says, "no it's my Grandpa!" The confusion went on for a little while until my dad came home from golfing. I had my Dad and my Uncle Will sit next to each other outside and sent Tori out to see Grandpa. When she saw them both sitting side by side, she instantly knew which was her grandpa and ran and hugged him and then said, "he (pointing at Uncle Will) looks like you." At bedtime that night Tori said, "this was a confusing day!" The similarity between the two made it easy for Tori to be extra comfortable with Uncle Will, even calling him Grandpa Will! Such sweet memories......... PRICELESS actually!
I enjoyed all my conversations and time with my Mom, Dad, aunts, uncles and cousins. It is a week I look forward too! Time came though to say good bye. We gave out all of hugs and "see ya in 3 years," and got in the car. Tori was in tears already, I look back at Wylie and he just breaks down crying and as I pull out of the lodge, Kasey falls apart. So I pulled off to the side of the road down the street and we just all cried together. We talked about how special this time was and how lucky we are too have such a wonderful family that loves us all so much and that we love so much and that IT IS OKAY TO BE SAD. Once we gathered ourselves, we headed home. . . . . and again they were great road trippers for the 11 hour drive!!
Until 2015.
~ It's My Life~
