I am thinking about a certain person when I hold this sword, can you guess who? Alex, hard core warrior, Matteo, looks like more of a lover not a fighter…. just like his dad ;) Saying goodbye :( The girls are missing the boys, they also announced that they are going to miss the perks of having the boys here: ice cream more than once a week, staying up later, going golfing, general fun and POP TARTS! These are a treat at our house and so we bought them for this visit. Only one box left….

This is one of my favorite pictures. I have loved these boys since they were babies. Matteo was our first nephew and I wrote a little song for him as I rocked him for the first time. Alex and Matteo are growing into fine young men and I cannot tell you how proud I was of them each time I introduced them to our friends. How many teenagers do you know that have manners enough to stand and shake hands with an adult?? They were wonderful and we are missing them already. Until next year,…. I hope!

Matteo and Kristi, youth making plans to beat Rick at the games, Alex pointing to the WINNER…. lot’s of testosterone on the track but my man beat it all!!! Go cart crew. Playing Put-put in which Rick beat us all AGAIN! Rick, a little worn down from controlling all these teens :), still the best in my eyes!

Three fine men! Alex, Matthew and Matteo

Dancing in the kitchen, more fun than doing dishes!! Then, below that, the best Italian meal we have ever had. Mateo and Alex cooked for us tomato/shrimp pasta and a tomato/basil/onion over pasta. It was SO good. Hey boys, cooking like that looks wonderful on your husband resume!!!! :) Thanks for the great meal.

Washington Island Fun, learning about bees at the Nature Center, riding the ferry, fighting in the ferry’s cabin, one brave swimmer who collected flat rocks for Annie to make a rock tower with, eating at the Albatross and enjoying being together!

We did lots of laundry with all of our visitors over the last few weeks. This is what I found on the line one morning when I went out to hang clothes…. a lone pair of cousin’s underwear which a certain cousin of the opposite sex refused to touch and take off the line!! I guess cousin love ends at the laundry line :)

Watching the movie Up at the drive-in, one of only three left in the state! It was the first time the boys had ever been to a drive-in and they had fun although it got pretty cold and Annie demanded her blanket back! Alex warned us about the sadness in the movie but it was a sweet film despite making us tear up at times!

Racing Fun at Thunder Hill. Rick came in 2nd in his heat. It was a beautiful work evening, perfect for watching the races

Our good looking mortorcyle man!

Lifest Sunset

Hardworking men, building muscles!

Lifest Fun

Annie feeding Alex his first fried cheese curd

Matteo wearing Melody’s sunglasses, she is SO proud!

Lifest crowd fun

Annie and Karee

Funny Cousins!

Wrestling entertainment at Lifest

Roman wrestling

If you turn your computer sideways, you can see the shower sign up for over the 4th. We had ONE bathroom, saga to follow, with 12 people! We survived… barely.

Jeni just giggling at everything Jason said, he is SO funny, :) Not that Jeni isn’t…. just saying ;)

Alex on the Yankee Clipper

Jason relaxing before the long ride home

Matthew taking Kristi for a ride. Unfortunately, she loved it!!!! See how well he protected her with all of his gear?

Boat Regatta Gills Rock style

Matteo riding the fish tug with Jeni, Matthew Jason and Mandy

Alex, with the girls… he is such a cutie!

heading off for the 4th celebrations

Fourth of July family picnic

The guys.. at our picnic getting ready for the food

Cutting the strawberries, getting the chore list together

Jason, he really fits in the family!

Life is busy these days, kind of a blur

Jason talking to his good friend Doug on the Camp Zion dock

Stone throwing on the beach

Beautiful blondes at Camp Zion

The gang on the dock at Camp Zion

Matteo at the cross stop at Camp Zion

Jason, showing us how to do chin-ups in a cabin, notice all the signatures!