Sweethearts on the Hill

Wow...we had no idea what a spectacular get away was awaiting us I booked our trip in Northwest Michigan, looking for a cool place where we were near even cooler stuff... Airbnb pointed me to this home in Beulah, Michigan on Crystal Lake. We couldn't have picked a more perfect place for our family. On the shore of the breathtaking Crystal Lake, with our own private beach and dock, lots of space to roam inside, a pool table, canoe, paddle boards...  it was a perfect Hatcher family getaway.. And this below was my morning view... can you even stand it? Happiness was given a new meaning...  it really was perfect for us We had all the luxuries of a beach trip, but with the connection to nature that comes with camping. I couldn't have designed a more perfect vacation. We did nothing, really. Our typical vacations include lots of exploring in the towns around us.... This one...  there was no reason to leav...

  A few months ago, I asked Luke what his favorite vacation of ours has been. He rattled through a few... "Colorado.... no wait... California...."  And then it became crystal clear to him "Michigan!" Somewhat surprised, I asked him why.  He told me "Uh, mom, because our best friends in the whole world live there!"  Of course, he was talking about Evan and Noah. It was in that moment that I decided that we would spend a summer vacation in Michigan this year. It honestly warms my heart that my boys have learned to love the state where I was raised. We have a few important ties there - but otherwise our whole lives exist only in the south. While I am pleased to no end to raise my boys in Knoxville, Tennessee and to enjoy the mild weather, mountains, and of course the football, I can't deny that I'm a northern girl at heart.  So I feel a piece of my past growing in them when we make new memories in Michigan. We started our trip heading north ...

It is with a big smile that I get to celebrate Richie every year for Father's Day. I have the privilege of parenting our sweet boys alongside him and get to admire the love, loyalty, and laughter he brings to us every day. This year, Richie decided he wanted to spend the day at Topoco Lodge.  The boys threw rocks in the water. We had some lunch. We went on a quick hike. A day trip away from normal life to celebrate       We were bound and determined to get a picture of us ~ without sunglasses ~ that we could tolerate...  Man, it sucks getting old! One of my most favorite parts of this day was the sweet cards that Sam, Charlie, and Luke made for their dad . A little silly mixed with lots of sweet...  just how I like it! Luke's picture has something dropping some doo doo off a mountain...!   Charlie's recreation of his famous farting cactus artwork...   And Sam just being all grown up and sw...