Reunion in Michigan

We spent a few days this week in Sawyer, Michigan, where we gathered with some of our friends from Taylor and their families. All the guys lived together in a house their senior year, and it was the first time they had all been together in one place since graduation. We've seen each one of them at different times for quick visits or weddings, but never all together and never with all the kids and wives too. We were only there for a few days, but it was so refreshing and fun to spend that time together.

We visited St. Joseph one afternoon and enjoyed playing at the playground on the beach there. Norah said it was her favorite playground in the whole world, I think because there was so much sand to play in. She would just slide down and land in a pile of sand.

Joel, Luke, and Dave. The other two guys came the following day. Dave's wife Katie was the one who arranged for us to stay in her family's vacation home right near the beach in Sawyer.

We spent most of the time just sitting around and talking. We had a lot to catch up on! The kids were pretty entertaining too.

We did a lot of this too, playing in the yard and soaking up the beautiful fall weather. The girls really enjoyed time with Daddy as always.

We went to the beach all three days we were there, but on this day it was actually warm enough to swim. The girls were thrilled! I had explained to them about how we were going to a place with a beach but they might not be able to get in the water, but I am so glad we brought our suits anyway. The water was way too cold for me, but they didn't mind it one bit.

The next day we were joined by Dan & Sara and their girls, as well as Ben. Our girls were so excited to have more new friends who were just their age. We literally didn't see them all day because they were having so much fun playing together.

We decided to go down to the beach again even though it was a little rainy. Norah and her new friend decided they wanted to catch a fish, but when they started throwing bread in the water and the seagulls started diving, they decided a bird would be much more fun to catch!

So "Uncle" Ben decided to help. They didn't end up catching a bird, but they all did end up completely soaked!

This is the new BFF's saying goodbye later that evening.

I'm really thankful that we were able to go and that wives and kids were included in this Mother Russia reunion. We're already looking forward to the next one!