Happy Birthday Dad!!!!

 We celebrated our Dad's 48th birthday with a coconut cream pie and a pecan pie(his favorite). We topped off the 2 pies with exactly forty-eight candles, talk about needing the fire department!!!

 Dad and his boys( all except Lucas who was at college)

 Maria and I, the two pie makers with the birthday boy!

 Mom found Tony this hat and we all agreed that he looked really good in it!

 I made Dad a musical poster for his special day.

Since he plays accordion, I drew this on for him. Happy Birthday Dad, we all love you sooo much and pray that God will bless you and the future plans that he has in store for you!

Hunting the Deer.

 Alex and Dad went on the annual Youth Hunt, and as you can see.... Alex got his is doe! Here he is proudly holding it. It took him only one shot, and down she went.

 Like Father like Son, Alex and Dad together and both happy about his success.

Papa and Alex as they get ready to get back to the house. The meat was turned into jerky, and so we all are enjoying it a lot. Good Job Alex!!!!!

Some of our last beach days!

 We had some lovely beach days before our weather turned and now autumn is upon us. Mom took some of us kids and spent an afternoon at the moving river one afternoon.

Julia and Alex before getting in. Though moving water is usually cold, we were surprised to find that it was really nice.

On our way back, we stopped and had some delicious hand dipped ice cream cones.

YUUUUMMMMYYY!!!!! Thanks Mom!!!

We  found ourselves at Empire, which is another beach part of Lake Michigan. We took dinner and had blast enjoying the water, sand, and the play set which is there. 

Little Bella enjoying the water.

Mom sketched this out on the sand, how nice!

Round and round we go!!!!!!!!

These last two shots were inspired from a picture that was taken years ago ago at the beach when we were all younger. So of course we had to get one that was up-dated. We had a wonderful time together in our beloved northern Michigan nature.

The U.S.S Badger!!!

 Dad took some of us kids on the ferry ride that goes from Michigan to Wisconsin. The name of the boat is the U.S.S Badger.

 Here's Tony going to the Upper deck.

 We had a tiny little room, about the size of a bathroom. Though the ride is only four hours some of us used the room for a napping place.

 The boat had a theater, boutique, museum, children's area, arcade room, and two food courts. Here's Maria and Julia resting in the museum/ quiet room.

 Tony and Alex playing a deer hunting game.

 All of us out on deck before taking off. It was the first time any of us kids were ever on a boat. Thankfully the ride over was peaceful and calm, though the ride back was not so much and us kids started to get a little sick.

A side view of the boat going out to sea!!!!

 When we landed, we drove to Green Bay and Dad took us to an amusement park called Bay Beach. Our first ride was the giant slide, we all liked to go together and race.

 They only had one roller coaster called the Zippin Pippin.

It was Elvis Presley's all time favorite roller coaster. The sign states that he once rented it out for an entire day!!!!

 Dad and the kids while waiting in line.

 Alex, Julia, and Maria all enjoyed going on the Scrambler.

Can you tell that it was a warm day when we went. By the time we went back to the car, we were all sweating!!!!

 Once at the hotel we had some food, and then it was down to the pool area.

 Julia and Dad

 On our way back to the boat we passed by the Green Bay packers field.

 We also stopped by a music shop and we all enjoyed toying around.

 Yes! We all went back to Bay Beach again and enjoyed the rides over again.

We tried to get a group shot before getting off the boat and going home. Thanks Dad for the fun adventure together!!!!