July 5/6th in Mason

Karen, Dana, Stephen, Cliona and I all visited Lucille Seiler after our stay up north. It was lovely to meet all Stephen's cousins and their children. We had fun dashing around Lucille's yard in the golf cart and wandering in her orchard. It was alsogreat to spend a couple of quiet hours reading while Cliona napped. We were very aware of how noisy Los Angeles can be when we returned from tranquil Mason.

July 5th

Philp's with David after dinner

Carrie and Lisa with Karl and Ericka

Philp family watching fireworks - Clio wasn't too impressed at the beginning but did warm up to the 'boom booms'

Cliona in the afternoon

Pretty Michigan sunset

July 5th - final day

After burying Graham's ashes, they whole family went for a game of golf - we got to play with Carl and Kathy and were first to tee off. We all had some wonderful shots - and the craic was brilliant.

How could I forget????

Poker Nite
On July 2nd it was time for the California crew to give the Michigan crew another whooping at Poker. It was not looking good early on when Grandma knocked the reigning champion (Stephen) out in the first round. And Dana wasn't arriving til late so it was down to Kerry, Gk and I. Well, first we convinced Jonny to wear these funky glasses so he couldn't see his cards. Then we got Carl to drink jack&coke out of his grandsons bottle. By that point it was all over - Kerry took the bracelet and the loot home to San Diego with Gk coming in a close 2nd and I following in 3rd. What a result!! However the Merkles reigned supreme on the ping-pong table. Karl played in college and the lads have definitely picked up a trick or two from their Dad.

BBQ at Lake Charlevoix

And so it was time to jump off the dock into the frigid waters of Lake Charlevoix. Kim and I repeated the tradition of running off the dock together while Stephen and Gk just jumped right in. It was only just that the toddlers be made suffer the same fate and so they were gently passed in and surprisingly didn't really seem to mind the cold water. However when they both started to shiver uncontrollably Grandma drew the line and helped them out! Can you think of a better way to build an appetite though? Seriously good BBQ awaited!
The swing picture is definitely one for the books - Karen had not seen all the Philp girls together in over 20 years. And finally, Meagan and Cliona watching the sun set on another brilliant July 4th.

4th of July Parade

Horton Creek Inn

We all stayed at the B&B again this year. It was great - we played in the pool, the girls loved the butterfly garden and watching all the frogs in the pond. We stayed in a different room this year which let in a lot of light in the morning. After Cliona woke up at 6am the first morning I decided to try and fit her crib in the closet and it was perfect! We'd put her down and close the door over to block out the light. Then when she woke she would push the door open and wake us up.

Playing in the pool was fun - both Cliona and Avery are taking swim lessons and so are much more comfortable in the water this year. Oh, and check out the pictures of the girls running around the garden last year compared to this year - how they have grown!!

Bonfire at Nancy's ridge July 2nd

Everyone met at Sue and Geoff's on Monday night. Avery and Clio practically jumped into each others arms! They ate together at the kiddie table, played hide and seek and headed off into the 'jungle' (as Clio called it) together. It was so nice to see everyone again - baby Carl and Ericka have grown so much and are so cute.

Colwater July 1st & 2nd

Then it was on to Coldwater to see Stephen's Aunt Kate, her son Mike, his wife Patty, and Mike Jnr. We had a lovely time and managed a trip to the park and a walk around to Stephen's grandmothers house. Kate made Stephen his favorite fudge to take up north - it was delicious! Clio loved playing with Kate - just the other day Stephen went to get her up and she said she wanted to go to 'Kate's house'.

Spike's house in Monroe June 30th

This year when we went to Michigan, we also visited the Seiler side of the family. It was great to finally meet everyone - Clio had a ball with all her new relations.
The first stop was Spike and Linda's house. Clio and I loved playing in their pool and chasing fireflys around the back garden.