Addison & Isla

Finally! At long last we made it for the annual Sugarloaf weekend at Logan and Kerri's, and boy, it was all we expected and more! We left bright and early on Friday morning and headed out for what could be a 3.5 hour drive with no stops, but with someone who has to pee every hour (me) and 2 little people who get antsy and need to jump out once in a while, it took us about 4.5 hours. We arrived to perfect conditions (rare up there - usually much cooler) of about 85 degrees and sunny and couldn't believe how special this place is. I don't know exactly how big the plot of land is, but it sits RIGHT on the gorgeous rocky shores of Lake Superior, which looks much more like an ocean than a lake. There is a "main house" up near the top of the road, and then 4 "cabins" down below - a hot tub/sauna cabin, a "gathering cabin" with a big kitchen, dining room table and a bunch of couches, and then 2 "sleeping cabins." We had envisioned super rustic cabins with bunk beds and the like, but what we found were the cutest, most quaint, but fully stocked and amenitied cabins I have ever seen. We were sharing a cabin with Tim (Gilly), and ours had 2 bedrooms, a bathroom, a full kitchen and living room area. Logan's dad has apparently done a ton of work to all of the buildings on the land, including renovating the little kitchens and bathrooms. Just perfect! It sat right on the water, so at night with the windows wide open it sounded like you were right on the ocean.

The group at Sugarloaf consisted of 11 adults and 9 kids - sounds like a lot, but it was a pretty intimate group. The weekend was so entirely relaxing, even with the kiddies running around everywhere. Addison and Isla had a BLAST - they both loved going in the hot tub and throwing rocks along the shore. There's a secret little pathway that leads to a tree with a tiny door in it which is their make believe elf land. The kids leave notes for the elves and the adults write back - too funny. We had bonfires with marshmallows, great, no AMAZING food (love this group because we all appreciate delicious food and cocktails and wine), DJ played golf and I even snuck in a massage at a spa up the road a but. A client of Natalie's represents this spa so we had to check it out for research purposes;). It stormed on Saturday, and while the guys golfed (yes, even in the crappy weather), the girls hunkered down in the gathering cabin with the kids and played games, had a dance party and prepped dinner. So fun.

Naps were hit or miss for the girls due to all the excitement surrounding them, but they crashed out all night and Addison even slept on a couch without any issues or falls. Sunday greeted us with another gorgeous day, so it was unfortunate to have to leave. I just love lake living - such good memories for the whole family. The drive back was a breeze since both girls slept for about half the time. That's the way to do it! We can't wait to go back next year....

Fast asleep on the ride up

Addison pretending to sleep

Smiley face

I had to get a close-up of her little fangs

We stopped at a place on the way up that had these huge chairs out front

Addison wasn't so sure

But she insisted on posing on this rock!

Beautiful day when we arrived - this is the beach where the bonfire pit is

Side view of our cabin

This is the view away fron our cabin, towards the other three

Isla checking out the hot tub

Addison called it the "hot pool"

She surprised us by being pretty adventurous on the rocks - the kid is a climber!

Natalie and Gus

or Baby Goose, as Addison calls hin - notice he's wearing her Crocs! He loves shoes....

Addison at the little kitchen table in our cabin

our little kitchen

Bonfire!

I found Addison sitting on the swing on Saturday morning just staring out at the lwaves on the lake

Hangning out in the gathering cabin - this place had so many games!

Clea - the oldest kid in the bunch at 9 years old - is the greatest helper and sweetest girl; Isla loves her!

Throwing rocks

Even Miss Isla got in on the action

Now, doesn't that look like the ocean?

The kids had full run of the land!

Adelle and Addison

Connect Four!

Isla and Gus

Saturday night dinner - adult version - kids had Tracy's awesome grilled cheese!

Addison on her couch

Another beautiful morning

Isla loved petting Logan and Kerri's dog Miles

It was a HOT and STEAMY weekend in Minnesota. When we woke up on Sunday morning, the windows were actually all fogged up due to the intense heat outside (and mind you, this is at about 6:30am) versus the air conditioned temperature inside. Crazy! There couldn't have been a better day for hanging out at Heather and Guy's pool. Addison was looking forward to playing with Carly and Cassie (or mostly looking forward to playing with their toys) all week. We swam, hung out and had a picnic outside. The kids took a nice long snooze when we got home while I prepped a DELICIOUS dinner and DJ mowed the lawn. THE.WORST.WEATHER to mow the lawn...ever. Someone had to do it. Great family Sunday.

In other big news this weekend, we finally bought a mattress and comforter and put together Addison's big girl bed on Saturday! The beautiful bed and all the bedding were a gift from Grandma Pam, and have been waiting patiently in storage for the time to be right for the big transition. Addison was beyond thrilled, the bed and her room look gorgeous, and her first two nights in it were perfect! We can't believe how easy it was. I think Addison may be scared to get out of it at night, but about 6:30 in the morning she ran into our room exclaiming "I did it! I slept in my big girl bed! now we can go to Carly and Cassie's!" Too cute.

This week marks another short week for us as we prepare to head up to the North Shore of Lake Superior for a much anticipated stay with friends (including all the kiddies) at the Sugarloaf Resort. Our friend's parents purchased this resort several years ago and are very generous in letting their son, his family and all their friends stay there each year. Although we've never been able to make it before (I was either VERY pregnant, had just given birth or have been on vacation), the pictures I've seen are amazing and we can't wait to experience it, with the kids, first hand. I will post pics soon after!

Pool time!