We spent the extended weekend at my parents house up north enjoying the beautiful weather.

Actually, it was somewhat of an extension of last week.  Mom and Dad spent the week babysitting Ava at our house, then after a brief break they took her up north with them while I finished out my work week prior to the 4th.  After two weeks, I think Ava, Mom and Dad really bonded.

Friday we went into Traverse City so Hope could meet her friend for lunch.  Ava and I walked around downtown, watching the crowd get ready for the Cherry Festival.  That night we went out on the pontoon and watched the fireworks from the lake.

We won't talk about Saturday, except that after I thought we could fight the crowds at the Cherry Festival in time to see the Blue Angels fly and failing miserably, we spent the remainder of the day relaxing.  Relaxing - except for the part where we played Rack-O and my mother and I nearly came to blows as a result.  There is some serious psycology going back to my childhood that makes me so competitive with my mother while playing board games and cards.  We need therapy.  Until then, there will just be more Rack-O.

Sunday we were able to pass through Midland and see the progress on Jay's house after the great flood of 2008 as well as see my grandma's new diggs in Bay City.

It involved a lot of driving, and we're glad to be home.  But it's always nice to see family, and to have sunny breezy mild days to boot made things wonderful.