![\"\"](\"http:\/\/mitchellstory.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/08\/IMG_3391.jpg\" "\\"IMG_3391\\"")
<\/a>The old man and the fish!<\/p><\/div>\n
Laura Bryan was nice enough to get all the kids outfits for the fourth and we posed them like most psychotic parents do:<\/p>\n
<\/a>Mira and Luna<\/p><\/div>\n
And all the kids got together:<\/p>\n
<\/a>Awwww!<\/p><\/div>\n
Here is your standard family photo. Love it!<\/p>\n
<\/a>The Mitchell Family<\/p><\/div>\n
And Erika and Luna got a nice shot.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Buna!<\/p><\/div>\n
Mira was a sweet and beautiful as ever.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Mira Hanalei<\/p><\/div>\n
The following day we were off to the festivities in Manistee with Erika’s extended family. It all started with the amazing bed races. Here’s the winning team. They looked way cooler than the races actually turned out to be.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Let's race<\/p><\/div>\n
We were able to find another carnival and Mira and Erika went for a lovely ride on the ferris wheel. It really did have a beautiful view of Lake Michigan from the top, or so I am told.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Ferris Wheel<\/p><\/div>\n
And of course, don’t forget about the annual fourth of July parade in downtown Manistee. Hands down, it’s the longest parade I’ve ever attended. Ummm, is\u00a0that\u00a0a good thing???<\/p>\n
<\/a>All the kids at the parade. <\/p><\/div>\n
The family that grew up across the street had a huge party on the princess boat in Muskegon Lake to watch the fireworks. It was a just wonderful evening with lots of friends.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Wonderful fourth of July boat ride!<\/p><\/div>\n
The last official day of our vacation, we made a trip to Pentwater and visited with Brenda, Sydney and Annika. We had a large time at the beach all day, then into town for some ice cream in the evening.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Sydney and Luna<\/p><\/div>\n
Sydney spent most of the time watching and taking care of Luna. I spent most of the time digging a giant hole in the sand so that Mira and Annika could have a little lake to jump and play in. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, “There is nothing better todo at the beach than dig a giant hole!”<\/p>\n
<\/a>Jump in the hole!<\/p><\/div>\n
Of course we spent a bit more time that evening getting some ice cream. Mira discovered the joy of chocolate and the rest is history!<\/p>\n
<\/a>Awesome!<\/p><\/div>\n
It was an amazing vacation. But we were tired and excited to get back home in Cleveland. At least for a few more weeks, until bigger news would come for the Mitchell family!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Forgive me for my tardiness. We have been very busy lately and I have been a bit absent in my blog duties. The summer and many life changes will do that to you. Also forgive the length of this blog … Continue reading