Emily's birthday

We got to share Emily's 5th birthday with her in Michigan. I used to have my birthday in MI when I was little and it was fun to see her enjoy it so much. Emily is the nicest, most polite little girl. She got to stay up late on the eve of her birthday and at the stroke of midnight, she came running out of the cottage, announcing to the world, "I'M FIVE!!!!!" The next morning, when asked what she'd like for breakfast, she replied, "GUM!!!" (birthday girl's get their wishes!)

Miss Emily & Lily

Kelly, Eric & Emily

Who wants cake?

The MI crew, week one. We had a blast with you guys!!

Even more sandbar pics

I can't stop. These are some of my fav's!

Captain Timmy

The happy couple floating off into the sunset

Yep, that bikini says, "Mrs. Peloquin" :)

Carly & Donna

Andy & Taylor

More of the sandbar

The Fam

Strong genes? What?

Ben's still surfing

This is the Lily Pad. It's great for sitting on when the fish are biting. It's also great when your giant uncles swim under it........

......and send you flying into the air.

Best. Day. Ever.

This was, literally, one of the best days of my life. It was the Sunday after the wedding and a lot of us went back up to the lake. We had a blast at the sandbar and kept our kids out on the lake until the sun set at 9:30pm!

Liam is not so sure about the life jacket

The sandbar

Lily & Gabby

Uncle Brian gave Ben the ride of his life....over and over and over. His arms must have been pretty tired, but Ben's facial expressions made up for it!

Lily & Nana

David O & Jamie's wedding

What a beautiful, .....eventful wedding!

While waiting for the shuttle to the ceremony, we see fire trucks outside of the connecting hotel. We joked that the bridal party had been involved....no joke. They were! Turns out, someone hung the wedding dress from a sprinkler and set off the fire alarm. Not just water, but years of dust and debris poured out of the sprinklers and onto the bridal party. The girls were in their dresses, hair done, make up on. They grabbed what they could and ran out, blackened and soaked from head to toe. They were such troopers. The bride took it as a sign to focus on what the day was really about & took some great pictures with the firemen.

The ceremony was at 11am. (you don't have a choice of time when you get married at the BEAUTIFUL Notre Dame Basilica).

We arrived at the ceremony to find an ambulance. Thankfully, Aunt Mary Ellen & some angels from Miseracordia had surprised everyone by bringing my cousin Jamie (David's brother and co-best man) to be a part of the ceremony. It was such a wonderful surprise and it just made everything perfect. I sobbed through the entire ceremony and I don't care who knows it!

The Hickey side

Pictured: Jamie Peloquin, Jamie Peloquin, Jami Schaffner (soon to be Hickey)

Jami Schaffner (almost Hickey) and Jamie Hickey

Stay with me people.

So nice to hang out with Shawn & Nikki!

Dang, it was hot! We sat under a misting tent eating and drinking when we should have been in the air conditioned hotel, napping.

Due to the lack of napping and the heat induced drinking (right), it got pretty crazy. This is the ONE decent photo I can share :)

Cate, Erin, Meg, Margaret (pre-Petron)

South Bend, Friday

After the pirate cruise, we packed up for South Bend. Nana stayed at the lake with the kids and the rest of us left for David O and Jamie's wedding weekend.

We checked into our hotel on Friday and took a rest. We met Dad at the stadium and got a sweet ride on a golf cart. We got into the party and it was in the ND locker room!! Awesome! We got to go out on the field and hang with a ton of friends and family. Thanks for the amazing weekend O & J!!

Me and my Pops and Touch Down Jesus

Here come the Irish!! (with drinks and heels on)

Can baby Liam apply for early enrollment?

Michigan, days 1 & 2

When we got to Michigan, my cousin's wife was already there with their kids. All four kids ran straight for the lake and were instant best friends. They had the best time playing and swimming together.

Aidan & Lily on the super fun slide (that used to be at Jamie's cottage and then was at another cottage and somehow survived and is back in its full glory).

Ben loves working on projects with Papa Mustache.

The pirate ship

The pirate

His fearless crew!

Well, they were fearless until they stepped out of Driftwood (the ice cream shop across the lake). The sky had turned black and waves were splashing up pretty high. Ben pointed to the lake with his sword and shouted, "Look Mama, THE SEVEN SEAS!! ARGH!" Right before we got home, the sky opened up and POURED on us. Lightening was striking and Lily was crying. We made it though and, yet again, Ben's birthday was a memorable day!