Grampa, You Look Funny

I had a fun filled family weekend (say that three times fast). Brad and I headed up north Friday night to my grandma's place on Lake Huron, right off of US 23. It's a place I remember fondly from my childhood years. One of those places that never changes. Granted, the place has changed somewhat physically (new kitchen, new floors, new windows, etc), but in general, it feels the same way it's always felt since I was three years old. Even despite it now being ivory vinyl siding when it was painted red all those years (I still give my grandmother crap about this recent change..."but grandma, your house is RED!) This weekend, I got to experience grandma's house for the 2nd annual Olivia Birthday weekend. I was joined by my dad, sister, brother, his daughter Olivia, his girlfriend Janeen, and her son Chase.
Friday night was spent playing cards (Oh, Hell and Rummy) until all hours of the morning. I forgot that now that my brother and sister are all grown up, they kind of act like grown-ups too, and they can actually be fun to hang out with. Granted, I'm still having issues with the fact that I'm not really able to boss them around any longer like I used to, but I do try. :-) We had some beers, shared some old time stories, watched my brother jump in the lake after dark, and were generally merry after the kids went to bed.
Saturday morning we awoke to a particularly hazy day. The sky was overcast, the weather was impending thunderstorms, and it wasn't looking to be a friendly beach day. We made the best of it though, and after one of my dad's classic breakfasts with scrambled eggs, bacon, potatoes, toast, and 4 lbs of room temperature butter, we all headed out on the deck to play with sand toys, blow up the trampoline/water slide, and spend the day being lazy. Olivia got to open all her presents for her 5th birthday outdoors, and she was enamored with most of them. We didn't have a cake or cupcakes for her to blow out candles, but it was still a birthday celebration all the same.

In the evening, after visits from the flying licorice fairy and classic Papa Frede (he sadly passed away almost 10 years ago now; still miss and love you Grandpa!) rock n' rye ice cream floats, I got Olivia and Chase to play with some glow in the dark bracelets I picked up for Olivia's Birthday. Who knew a $1 impulse purchase from Michael's would keep these kids entertained for hours? They even took them to bed to sleep with. Note to self; go buy more of these bracelets and keep on hand for kids!

Silly kids with a funny looking GrampaGlow sticks in the dark!Chase has rock n' rye float all over his face

Finally, Sunday found half the house sleeping-in like bums, and the other half up almost early enough for sunrise. Brad woke up early to go golfing, so I spent the morning chatting with my dad and grandma until the rest of the house finally got up around 10:30. We had another big breakfast (this time pancakes and sausage for the young ones; much loved and remembered Grandma Frede eggs and muffins for me!), and then spent most of the morning indoors being silly, as the weather was once again, not cooperating. We went for one last walk on the beach before everyone had to pack up and go home. Luckily for me, I also got to finish a book in the morning while Brad was still at Lakewood Shores, and by the time he got back at 2:30 when everyone was getting ready to leave, the skies had cleared, the sun was out, and we got in one final swim. Woohoo for not having to leave early!I can't wait until next time. Thanks again grandma for all your hospitality, we love coming north to visit you!
P.S. It was seriously hot at the Art Fair this year; check out Stephanie's recount of our good times here.