Winter beauty

It's been a few decades since I've seen this much snow (without being out west or in the Alps!). Yes, it's tough to drive around; yes, it's cold. But my is it pretty. The most amazing part to me is the silence right after a big blizzard. Seeing snow softly speckle the sky without a sound is the epitome of peace. Dad, Linda, Scott, the girls and I took a long hike from our house to Wexford Park and then on to Stricker's Pond -- through snow drifts, up hills, through the woods and even across the ice on the pond. I bet we walked 2 miles (and Scott probably carried MJ an entire mile!) Around every corner was a new surprise, like the tree we found in the middle of a woods decorated with sparkly ornaments. The kids were tired and, by the end, whining about sore legs. But what a blessing to have such a beautiful day together. And, back at home, hot cocoa never tasted better! (Oh, and P.S., God Bless those people driving the city plows!)

Devil's Lake

We didn't camp at Devil's Lake this year as planned, but we did spend a glorious fall day there. I took one of the prettiest hikes I've ever seen through high bluffs overlooking the lake. Even though I was probably only about 500 feet up, the air felt thinner to me. The highlight of the day was seeing an eagle swoop down and catch a fish from the lake. The only thing missing was Todd and Julia.

Thanks, Grandpa

While Scott was toiling at the Republican National Convention, Grandpa came to stay with us for a week. He helped feed the pets, took out the garbage, took Anna to the bus stop in the morning, entertained MJ (at the zoo and the history museum) when I worked, fixed one ceiling fan and installed another, trapped and released two chipmunks that were eating my birdseed and generally filled in as man-o-the-house. Dad is always there when we need him!

Put-in-Bay

Ya know, I've been to various points of the globe, as has my sis, but we both agreed that our vacation together with dad and Linda to Put-in-Bay on Lake Erie was way up on the list of favorites. Why? First because we were all together and enjoyed each other's company from sun-up to sun-down. We stayed at a super sweet B&B with lovely hosts and mouth-watering breakfasts taken under a gazebo in the yard. The weather was picture perfect. Watching the cousins -- Anna, MJ and Charlotte -- made everyone smile. Swimming and boating in Lake Erie; finding smooth, shiny beach glass; riding bikes around the island; eating fried perch and fattening desserts every night; watching the sun set over the bay; learning about island history at the museum, Perry's monument and the underground caves; getting silly drinking at the winery and then biking home ... And we relished thoughts of Grandma Sue and all the good times we spent with her boating and island hopping years ago.

If you're hungry for more, see Heather's sweet blog about our vaca at http://www.themalcomsons.blogspot.com/.

Thanks, Dad and Linda for a memorable end to the summer.

In front of Anchor Inn, our B&B.

Me lookin' like a granny drinking coffee in the gazebo at Anchor Inn.

Cousin love.

In front of Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial.

On TOP of Perry's -- MJ was a brave girl to climb up with Daddy.

View of the Bay from the top of Perry's.

Boat ride home from Cedar Point holding the monkey I won for her. The winning of this monkey was the worst part of the trip. I played a game where one of those teeny boppers guessed my age. They had to come within 2 years to win, and the kid guessed that I was 39!!!! 39!!!! It was pretty devastating but I got over it ... sort of ...

On Middle Bass Island collecting sea glass.

Rowdy group at Heineman's Winery on South Bass Island.

Char's first swing ride!

Beech Buoy anchored off Middle Bass.

MJ's Milestones

In one week, our go-get-um almost-5-year-old managed to check off three things from her list:

1. Ride without training wheels (this took her about 20 minutes to learn, with help from Grandpa)

2. Swim under water (she has refused all summer throughout swim lessons to put her head under water and then proceeded to swim like a fish within one hour of our vacation at Put-in-Bay)

3. Ride first rollercoaster (well, it was the JUNIOR Gemini at Cedar Point, but still!)

Congrats, Pipsqueak!

Oxford, Wisconsin

Thanks to our generous friends the Maleckis for sharing their cabin with us and the Duffy-Rhodes family on scenic Goose Lake. We had so much fun kayaking, swimming, canoeing, fishing, cooking out, roasting marshmallows and hanging out among the pines and fresh air. A great summer memory for us all.