WEEKLONG SHENANIGANS

Linking this post up with 
Momfessional's Show and Tell Tuesday as this place is our favorite Summer vacay spot every July!
And We're BACK......HAPPY MONDAY after a 11 days off and a great vacation.
I know today is not going to be fun despite my cheery Monday Morning attitude. After a week vacation in my favorite town with my favorite people...to come back to reality, well, let's admit it.....it blows!! Ha!

So after all items are put away. laundry is complete, groceries are bought, week prep is done, I do want to reminiscence about this FUN vacation with the fam via pictures and a few stories (including an incident with a paddle board, hence title photo). I gave you all my 5 B's of vacation on Friday Favorites but today I give you more of the fun details.

First off, the weather was gorgeous, sun everyday but one.
Views from our condo

However, it worked out perfect because on that day, which was on the chilly side, we had to go pick up one of our sons at the airport 45 minutes North, who was coming in from another trip. Here's my chilly day outfit and our iPad signs to embarrassingly pick him up coming out of the terminal.


Now on to the gritty Shenanigans....

The Bad and the Ooops...
First off, my husband got a blister on the bottom of his foot after a workout that ended up infected, so he had to wrap his foot to slide into flip flops and we had to call our doctor to call in some antibiotics to the local pharmacy

Secondly, one of our sons, I will not say which one, had a lil vehicle accident which put a small dent in the kayak, which was still on top of the vehicle No worries, it all turned out ok.

Third, so this SUP (Stand Up Paddle Board)...
....was not free for beach patrons.
The boys saw all these identical SUP boards laying around and saw people using them and returning them for a awhile so they too joined in the fun. Until....my husband heard a teenage surfer girl on the phone panicking saying a board was missing. Our son ran to her and explained it was down my the water and that they hadn't brought it back up since using it and apologized. This disrepsectful gal said "that's retarded" and went ballistic and even after I tried to explain, she walked away from me spouting respectfulness. Our son tried to do the right thing and explain the misunderstanding but she would have no part of it and even brought back a shop worker to tell him they were going to charge him and to tell others not to use them..needless to say we got some chuckles out of it and lessons learned.
The Good
 
 Amazing 4th of July fireworks right from out condo deck over Lake Michigan

 Lighthouse Love
Pineapple Upside Down Cake Martini..yep really did taste like one, so yummy!
 No tennis courts nearby so channeled my inner Serena Williams with Smash-ball
The Man who makes this trip possible and will someday grow old with me in this town

 ...all together


 You're never to old for playground fun!



The Traditions
Neither Mr. Nine or I have very big families but we do have traditions we remember and our boys love tradition so there are many associated with this annual trip.

Pictures out by the lighthouse
(they are being silly with this booty pose)

Sushi Meal at the local Asian Restaurant
(it's the boy's favorite meal of the week)
A Movie at the charming, renovated old theater in town
(This year it was "Inside Out")
My Overnight French Toast one of the mornings
Here is the recipe:
1/2 cup melted butter          
1 cup milk
3/4 cup brown sugar          
1/4 tsp salt                   
cinnamon                             
1 loaf french bread, sliced
3 eggs                    
Chopped Pecans (optional)

Melt butter in 9x13 pan, sprinkle with the brown sugar, cinnamon and nuts if using. Beat eggs, milk and salt, dip bread til well covered and place over butter mixture. Cover, refrigerate overnight and back 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Scoop out with a spatula and flip so brown sugar coating is on top.
New tradition started this year, no chain restaurants on the trip...this Rays Burger joint was a goodie!!
Hit the spot on our way home.
Have a beautiful Monday friends! 
 This Maxine funny sums up how I feel today......
xoxo

 

 

33 comments:

  1. Ahhh what a great trip and such a lovely family!! We love to paddle board too. I always say that we dont vacation - we take adventures(: You are looking gorgeous and happy as always! Welcome home! Susan

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    1. Aww, thank you Susan! Love adventures!!! I hope you have a wonderful Monday sweet lady!!

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  2. Such a fun weekend! I am so jealous of that view and that french toast looks DELICIOUS!

    Happy Monday!
    www.rosyoutlookblog.com

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    1. Thank you love! Hope your Monday is off to a great start!

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  3. Loved reading about your vacay, Andrea, and of course it looks like you guys had a blast!! It's not even 8:00 here, but I think I could have one of those pineapple martinis for breakfast! With your french toast, of course!

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    1. Of course! I'll join you on the patio for French toast and Martini's. :-) you're so sweet, I hope your Monday is off to a great start!!

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  4. What a wonderful vacation - I'm not even paying attention to the bad / oops because it was outweighed by all the good! I love the tan from the flip flops your husband got - looks like you all had an amazing time!! xo, Biana -BlovedBoston

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    1. That's right, much more goodness!!! I didn't notice his flip flop tan til I went back and looked at that pic! Too cute! Hope your Monday is off to a fabulous start!!

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  5. Such an amazing vacation! And great pictures and memories, sounds like you all had a wonderful time. Also, this overnight french toast looks so good! I love breakfast casseroles that you can make the day before, it's so much easier and so delicious! I will have to give it a try. Have a fabulous Monday!

    xo, Rachel
    www.ablondesmoment.com

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    1. Thank you sweetie! I have tried many French Toast casseroles and not only is this the best one, it is the easiest!!

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  6. Anonymous13.7.15

    What an amazing trip! It sounds like a vacation to remember for sure. You all look lovely!

    Raindrops of Sapphire

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  7. Hi Andrea! YOU have a beautiful family! It look like you guys had a fab weekend! Super cute! You are very blessed, my friend and let me tell you: YOU are one beautiful mom!
    Sending you much love & I hope this day is as beautiful as you are,
    stunning lady!
    xoxo, Vanessa
    www.whatwouldvwear.net

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    1. Thank you my darling and incredible Vanessa! I love reading your comments and of course, I am over the moon for your blog! I look forward to every single post!! Hope your Monday is off to a marvelous start!

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  8. Looks like a fabulous vacation, and look at your beautiful family! Glad everything worked out with the dented kayak and the SUP's! And that view from your condo - gorgeous!

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    1. Thank you sweets! Hard getting back in this Monday grind! Ha! Hope your Monday is marvelous!!

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  9. Love all of these photos! You guys look like you had such an amazing time! Ugh I hate rude people, once they apologized she should have just accepted the mistake! You and your husband are too cute with those photos, but my favorite would have the be the paddle ball one when you're goffing around, too cute! So glad you had nice weather for your vacation!

    xx,
    Susie

    www.SequinsandStrawberries.com

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    1. Aww, thank you Sweetie! I love the Paddle ball ones too!!! Yeah, that girl is lucky I'm kind as I wanted to tell her what I really thought like a mama bear protecting her cubs! Lol. Hope you're having a great Monday!!

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  10. Sounds like you guys had an amazing trip, minus the foot infection and the rude girl about the boards. Some people need to lighten up!!! Those are some handsome young men you have there! I love that you guys are creating memories every year at your beach! Now I am going to go try to esc out of my monday too. I have a feeling it wont work. Have a great week!!!

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    1. I'm 6 hours into the work day but it's still not working!!! Ha ha! Thank you for your sweet comments! I hope your Monday is off to a great start!!! :-)

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  11. Sorry to hear the bad stuff, but hey at least you can laugh about it now! Sounds like a wonderful trip though, and what a handsome bunch of boys!! Love all of your outfits and your airport sign too. And oh gosh that e-card about the escape button... LOL!! I hope that you have a great day today too!! :-)

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    1. :-) My Monday is more than half over and I'm still hitting escape! Lol. Thank you sweet lady and I hope your day is going wonderfully!!

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  12. Looks like a fabulous weekend! Standing Up Paddle Boarding looks so difficult, can't blame them for wanting to try!!
    www.amemoryofus.com

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    1. Ha ha! I haven't tried it, not sure I still have good enough balance!! :-) I hope your Monday is off to a great start

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  13. Andrea, I adore your family! I loved the "sign" you made to pick your son up and that your family is always so fun together! Looks like you had an amazing vacation and I am so glad :D Isn't it funny how worked up people get? I would have gotten a real laugh if someone had returned my board with that story! And thank goodness it WASN'T stolen. I still love your guys' attitude about it, so funny! I hope you have a wonderful week back (even though it's hard to come back!) my gorgeous friend! XO -Kim
    P.S. I hope your hubby's foot is okay!

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    1. Foot is much better, thank you! Yeah that gal never once had a smile on her face. If I had a daughter and she acted like that, I would be ashamed!! Thank you for your sweet words, Monday workday is almost over for me and I made it! Lol! I hope your week is off to a most wonderful start pretty lady!! ;-)

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  14. What a great vacation! The photos are so fun & your family looks so happy. That worker sounds ridiculous. Glad you were able to get a chuckle about it & that no one was hurt in the little vehicle accident.

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    1. Thank you so much Brianne! I hope your week is off to a great start!! :-)

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  15. Cute pictures! Looks like your family had a blast! Adorable chilly day outfit, too. :-)

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    1. Thank you sweet Ashley! I hope your week is off to an amazing start!! :-)

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  16. So glad you had a great vacation! Have a happy Monday!!

    Sarah
    http://mybowsandclothes.blogspot.com

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  17. Looks like a great vacation Andrea. Cute outfit too. Love the graphic tee and the long red cardigan looks great here. I need to buy/add some long cardigans once I am back in the States. =)

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  18. Oh gosh I want to go! This place looks wonderful but your family time is even more special!

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