Well, it was not on my bingo card for this summer, but sometimes the universe intervenes to make magic happen! After Auntie Cha Cha experienced car troubles, she ended up getting stuck in Wisconsin for almost two months. This was probably not great for her (since she runs a doggie daycare in Florida) or Uncle E (since he was busy shattering his kneecap), but Genesee and I were PUMPED to have a live-in aunt for the summer… Aunts are like moms, only cooler!

We had so much fun doing arts & crafts, baking, cooking, golfing, cuddling with the pups, tubing, playing cups, doing the Whitney Houston challenge, honoring Nana Florence, playing hot potato, and so much more!

We loved our bonus time with Auntie Cha Cha, and while we hope her car troubles are in the past, we also wish for more extended visits from her in our future.

One of the best parts of summer is making waves on the lake! This was my second summer water skiing, and it was awesome to get back out on the water. I felt a lot more confident this year and had a blast.

The coolest part was that it was the first time water skiing for Genesee and Ashlee, and Aunt Cha Cha got to bear witness! But when Genesee wasn’t out there becoming a professional water skier, she was in the boat cheering everybody else on. She gets an A+ for enthusiasm, but a D- for almost breaking everyone’s eardrums.

We love our lake summers and feel so grateful for a dad who’s always willing to satisfy our sense of adventure… despite Mom’s strong, unwavering commitment to safety and staying dry.

Spending a few days in Door County with the Martinez family was such a fun adventure! Exploring quaint towns, eating gelato, taking hikes, making brownies, splashing in the waves, cliff diving, eating s’mores, throwing bean bags, enjoying sunsets, playing fetch with Artemis, and just slowing down with family and friends is exactly what summer vacations are made for.

Without a doubt, this is what it looks like to live the good life:

Note to self: Return to Door County someday.

Tradition: the handing down of information, beliefs, and customs by word of mouth or by example from one generation to another without written instruction.

Tradition: a long-established or inherited way of thinking or acting.

Tradition: connects us to our past, gives us a clear sense of who we are, and builds strong bonds in our families and communities.

Tradition: camping at Jellystone over the fourth of July!