My Teacher Tribe

Even in all this rain...these lovely ladies brought me a bit of sunshine this weekned.  We ate, drank, ate some more, and explored the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan.  Highlights were potato chip tasting and playing "What's in Your Bag?"...Sharilyn may have earned the nickname, Mary Poppins!  Thank you to my tribe!

 

Hit'n the Trails at Hocking Hills

Breathtaking!  Hocking Hills will forever be a special place in my heart.  The place our family went to because we wanted to stay in a treehouse...but symbolically became so much more. 

Into the forest I go, to lose my mind and heal my soul….My dad always said, “Go live your life.” So that’s what we did. We had a trip planned to Hocking Hills this Father’s Day weekend, before Dad got sick. I was unsure about going, but with his passing so sudden…we needed to just spend some time together, away.

I felt his presence while in these beautiful mountains…similar to the ones Dad grew up in and I visited as a kid every single year. As we drove the winding roads and slept among the trees, we laughed and we cried, and shared memories of him. I told my kids how proud he was of us…all of us. I’ll forever think of my dad when I look back at these photos of our family adventures in the hills.

Hocking Hills is a little gem of a place. We hiked FIVE of the trails…Cantwell Cliff, Old Man’s Cave, Rock House, Ash Cave, and Conkel’s Hollow. Only one of us complained about hiking but then never said a word when we were out exploring. We played board games, roasted s’mores, “swam” in the hot tub, tasted some moonshine and wine (grape tastes for the kiddos), saw some pretty cool pencil sharpeners, and we just sat and stared at the canopy. It was a lovely way to celebrate one of the best dad’s here on Earth and the other best dad up in Heaven.  

Overnight in a Treehouse...and a Yurt!

A night in the canopy!  I've been wanting to overnight in a treehouse for some time.  What a cool and fun place!  The treehouse was so quaint, cute, and just what we needed...away from the hustle, away from reality.  The kids spent time in the hot tub, playing cards, and watching movies.  Todd and I spent time catching up over cocktails and swinging on the porch admiring the scenery.

 

Not only did we stay in a treehouse for the first time...but we also vacationed in a YURT for the first time too!  We have bonfires every night, played more games together, and the kids enjoyed the hot tub there too.  The yurt was equipped with the cutest décor and WIFI for the kids...making our rainy moments of the trip, happy moments!

 

Baseball Boy

The Iron Birds ended the season as division CHAMPS and headed into playoffs ranked #1.  Runner up in the championship game...I'm pretty proud of this little guy.  We aren't quite sure baseball is yet his THING, but I do know that he has an eye for that ball.  I'm proud of the hits he made and defensive plays he ran this spring season.  Great job, Iron Birds!

 

A Watson Wedding

So incredibly happy for my big bro, Monte to find his true love.  Thankful to get to spend the day celebrating with Angi and Monte way up north.  Allie was THRILLED to finally be a flower girl...she never thought this day would come.  

The wedding was quaint, intimate, and beautiful.  I loved everything about it...the barn, the up north breezes (and occasional itty-bitty rain shower), and the time I got to chat and be my brother.  I do miss him being so far away.  Welcome to the family, Angi!