June 28, 2026

Summer Living

The kids had their first summer camp last week.  They had a week of gymnastics.  It was from 830am to 5pm and they came home exhausted every day.  On Monday, Harper's Scout meeting was an awards ceremony.  She has a big Scout camp out coming up and had to pass a swimming test this weekend.  We had her go to Emily and Frank's pool this week to practice.  She did pass with flying colors!  Ethan is continuing his summer tutoring twice weekly with Ms. Elizabeth.  We celebrated Nanna's birthday this week as well!  Our next week is very busy filled with multiple call days for me, another camp for the kids, the start of our bathroom renovation, a couple birthday parties and Fourth of July fireworks!
     
Scouts
        
With Harper's tympanic membrane perforation, she has to wear an ear plug and swim cap to keep the water out!
    
Happy birthday!!
     
    
    
    
   

June 21, 2026

Cabin Hopping

 Alex and the kids have had a very busy past week and a half.  The day after elementary school graduation, they headed off to Michigan for a Scheer family vacation.  They stayed at a cabin in Grayling, Michigan.  It was near to Grandad's Stark family cabin.  Alex doesn't take many photos, but I have pieced together the ones I was sent.  The kids told me they had a wonderful time!  They came home and the very next day we headed out to the North Carolina mountains for a camping trip with friends.  It was the annual Father's Day camp in Cedar Mountain.  We had a great hike and tons of adventures on this trip.  We snuck in a quick visit to Aunt Bay on the way home.  Now we are back at home and getting ready for the kid's first camp this summer - gymnastics camp.
             
The kids told me tons of stories about playing on this swing.  They could fish right in the back yard too!
     
        
There was a nice fire pit for s'mores. 
      
      
They went to a fish hatchery and were able to catch and release fish.
    
    
       
They went to a little zoo and were able to pet and feed animals. 
   
     
     
    
    
     
    
    
    
       
They took a canoe ride down the Manistee River.
   
     
       
They went horseback riding.
      
Ethan was too little to ride a horse so he drove a horse-drawn carriage! 
      
Harper's horse kept going off trail to snack.
          
     
     
     
    
They went frisbee golfing.
      
             
     
            
They took a ferry to Mackinac Island.
      
         
 
     
       
They marked heights on the Stark cabin wall.
      
    
     
Alex has marks on the wall from years of trips here.  I have one too!
        
We drove up to Cedar Mountain Friday afternoon.
     
Home sweet home for the weekend!
   
   
    
      
Gus the raccoon paid us a visit.
       
S'mores are the best!
    
   
   
      
     
     
Happy Father's Day weekend!
     
We went on a hike Saturday morning.  These were all the kids!
    
The whole group!
     
The kids found tadpoles.
   
   
    
   
   
   
    
    
   
    
    
      
        
Until next time Black Forest Family Camp!
    
I love the view from Bay's house.  It was fun to see her babies too!
    
The kids snuck in the hot tub.