Peaches, Beaches and Bocce!

We made it to Michigan again last weekend! These weekends are numbered as the kids start school (hybrid) and sports/activities after Labor Day so we are trying to get in every last day we can up there. 

This past weekend, we enjoyed a beach day where Tom fashioned a boat out of some sticks and twine he found on the beach and then made a sail out of a paper plate. I'm not sure who gets more enjoyment out of the beach (building sandcastles and boats), Tom or the kids? I remember our early days of marriage without kids when we would head to the beach and he would start building sandcastles next to our towels. Now at least he has an excuse to continue building them and the boats!

Speaking of boats, the kids wanted to rent a boat again this weekend but Saturday was already turning cooler so we opted to go peach picking instead. My kids aren't huge fans of peaches but it was fun going to the Overhiser family orchard where one of his quadruplets will soon take over the farm. We had a storm the night before so many good peaches lay on the ground along with broken tree branches. Still there was an abundance of peaches to pick from as well as a sunflower field and a petting zoo full of ducks, chickens, goats and alpacas. 

Back at home, (while Tom smoked some pork chops) we played some volleyball on our front lawn before breaking out the Bocce ball, which was a gift we received at our wedding and haven't used much at all until we built the beach house. Austen is very competitive and Peyton closes her eyes and still throws the best ball. But it was a fun game to play as a family of four (Hailey was inside playing). 

And, still there's more things we want to do and see when we're up in Michigan. Some will have to wait until after the Pandemic like catching a Tigers game (when they play the White Sox) and visiting University of Michigan/Ann Arbor. But, I think there's still more we can squeeze into what will hopefully be a warm and beautiful fall such as visiting some more wineries/breweries and exploring more towns with beautiful scenic trails like the Heinz (yes, Ketchup) trail in Holland that we walked this past weekend. Always something to look forward to and do when we're there that's for sure!