MI/KY Vacation Days 8 & 9: On the Pontoon

On Friday morning, we slept in (8:00, but  I'll take what I can get) and then enjoyed a wonderful relaxing family day at the Lake.  It was the perfect way to end our vacation.  Eric's mom was at work for the day and his dad was moving things from their home in Livonia to the cottage.  Thus, we had most of the day to enjoy as our own little family, but were able to spend some quality time with them in the evening and the next day before we headed home.  It was exactly the day we needed to end our vacation...just good old family time with no major traveling, lots of sunshine, rest and fun.

The day started off well with breakfast and then a donut and grocery run to Meijer (I LOVE chocolate cake donuts with chocolate frosting!!).  We picked up the supplies we needed to treat Eric's parents to dinner that evening (shish-ka-bobs) and our dozen of donuts (which we took most of to Eric's mom's new work to surprise her).  While we were there, we stopped to enjoy the lobster tank for a few minutes (Asher was so excited by them, we could have saved the money, skipped the Newport Aquarium, and just went to Meijer) and we got to ride the horsey.  Asher really wanted to ride it when we first got there, but since we had no change, he had to wait until it was time to go.  Once we had a penny, I put him on and he rode...for a few seconds.  It turns out the horsey is much more interesting when he is not moving (Asher wasn't a fan).

Video: Asher & The Lobster Tank

After we got back to from grocery shopping and visiting Grandma M. at work, we went back to the cottage to do what Asher had been asking to do since we got there the night before: "Boat Riydeee".  We headed to the lake and hopped onto the pontoon (while I couldn't help but sing "On the ponton...I'm out here in the open, Mmmmmmmm...moterboatin'" in my head).  For about two hours we putzed around the Coldwater chain of lakes at turtle pace, enjoying the warm fresh air and sunshine.  Asher loved the ride, and Eric and I loved the quite and relaxing moment.

When we got back to the cottage, all enjoyed lunch and nap time.  Then for a snack (after nap time), Asher and I enjoyed some watermelon outside.  He was pretty excited to get a whole slice instead of just small chunks.  We sent a few pictures to Grandma M. at work of Asher enjoying his melon in her beloved yellow chair.

While we had been sleeping, Eric's dad came to the cottage with the furniture he had brought from their home.  The guys moved the old furniture out and the new furniture in.  Asher thought the old stuff outside made for a great fort!

When snack time was over, it was time to head back to the lake, but not for a boat ride on the water...rather for some fun in the water!

When we had been at the cottage the weekend before, Asher was pretty wary of the lake.  He enjoyed going in the water, but would not go in past his knees.  Over the course of the week (whether it be from swimming in the hotel pools or something else), Asher got brave.  This weekend, he just kept going further and further into the water, to the point that Eric and I both started getting uncomfortable with it and opted for a life jacket.

Video: Asher & Daddy in the Lake

That night, after Eric's parents were both back home, we enjoyed our shish-ka-bobs and then headed back out on the pontoon to drive to the ice cream store for dessert.  Once again, Asher was thrilled to have his own kiddie cup of ice cream!

2 Videos: Asher & His Ice Cream

Finally, after a great day outside at the cottage, we were back and it was time for bed.  Asher was in no hurry to go inside though, despite the fact that the bugs were terrible.  Thus, he spent a few extra minutes playing outside with Grandma and Daddy.

The next day, was Saturday and the final day of our vacation.  We enjoyed another fun morning on and in the lake before lunch and then it was time to drive back to Kenosha.

Emma, Asher & Grandma watching Eric waterski

I had hoped to keep Asher out of the lake and dry before we left, but I should have known better.  He went in fully clothed.

Asher decided he needed to be like the guys and take his shirt off.

Asher playing with Grandpa in the lake.  They had a good time throwing his shirt around...unfortunately I have no idea what ever happened to that shirt.  It might still be in the lake.

Asher taking a break with Grandpa.

When it was lunch time, we ate and then packed up the van while Grandpa took Asher for a walk.  He was supposed to keep him awake so that Asher would sleep in the car, but exhaustion kicked in and the little man could no longer keep his eyes open.  We let him sleep snuggled up with Grandpa while we finished packing.  He woke when we put him in the car, but was out again in just a few minutes and slept all the way to Chicago (lucky us!).

Emma (who had stayed at the cottage all week while we traveled to Kentucky) was a tired little girl too!

Video: Asher's Version of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

So, if you've read all of our MI/KY Vacation blog entries, you can probably tell that the week had its ups and downs.  Honestly, at times we were beyond frustrated and having no fun and other times we were just loving on each other.  Overall it was a good week, and I am just thankful to have had one more week to spend with my two boys before our family life gets even crazier and baby 'M' joins us on the outside!

Our mileage before the trip.

Our mileage after the trip. (1,498 miles).