As my time off draws to a close...

I don't know if I need my medication adjusted or if I just really don't want to go back to work...or maybe both. I also did not take any Alli while off and ate like crap, so I also feel like a whale and that probably isn't helping matters either.

So, my vacation was really nice. It started hectic. Scott was sick and I had to get everything ready for Sydney's birthday party by myself. That went well...she was a very happy girl. We found out that her Godfather, Steve, was moving to Philadelphia at the end of the week, which was a bummer, but I guess that gives us another place to think about visiting. Even though we rarely go anywhere. After I cleaned up from the party, it was time to get out camping stuff together. Just one way to describe that...a big pile of crap next to the front door that we had to figure a way of getting into the car (we took Scott's parent's car because it gets excellent gas mileage. The drawback...NO ROOM TO BREATHE!) It all fit somehow, and we embarked on our journey the next morning.

Literally the whole way there, Sydney asked, "Are we almost there yet?" Not that I find that grating or anything... Scott and I decided on the way up to win the lottery and move up north. I tried to nap. It didn't work. Finally around 2pm we pulled into the Traverse City State Park Campground. We started setting up the tent. Yes tent. For those of you who know me personally, I understand this is shocking, but I do sleep in a tent from time to time.

The kids were restless, so I took them to the grocery store. We got back and Scott had everything done. We then had to go to the store as our air mattress had several holes in it and would not hold air...you didn't honestly think I was going to sleep on the floor of the tent, did you? That would be like sleeping on the ground and I may as well not have the tent over my head, and that is NOT happening!!

We spent the next day at the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes. Beautiful. The kids loved it. Sydney climbed to the top of everything we would allow her. Gabriel loved the sand and the flock of wild turkeys that we saw by the side of the road. After the Dunes, we headed to downtown Traverse City and were disappointed to find that the zoo was no longer there. So instead we watched the trout swimming upstream in the canal and then walked through the shops.

As we drove from downtown back toward the campground, we stopped and I did something I did not expect to do...I got another tattoo...it had been about eleven years since my last. I got five purple stars behind my right ear. It symbolizes the family plus the one more we plan to have in the next year or two. I love it!

The next day we went to Mackinac Island. (we also decided to stay an extra day). More fun...lots of history at the fort, we found some hot sauce called "Ass Reaper" - the bottle is dressed like the grim reaper. Of course, we got it. Fun on the ferry to and from St. Ignace - the kids have now been to the UP. And, can I just say, it is amazing how much the landscape changes as soon as you cross the bridge. We checked out the Straits State Park right there too...that may be a camping destination for next summer!

Our final full day we spent at the lighthouse, a very cool general store (where I found interesting books on the history of Michigan...I am now obsessed with the odd happenings in the past on Beaver Island), the beach and playing miniature golf. We had a huge fire and spent the coldest night the whole week up there.

The way home was crowded. Love that car. Again with the "Are we almost there?" and finally we were home. I started doing loads and loads of laundry - its still not done - and cleaning the dirt off of the children, who despite showering twice a day, were filthy! Also, as soon as we got home, we all needed our tech fixes!! Both computers went on, as well as the television! Ahhhhh! Civilization!

So now my vacation winds down. I dread going back to work - I should have taken one more night off. I am downing water to try and flush the junk food out of my system.

I really don't want to go back to work...I need to set this plan of winning the lottery into action. I suppose I should think about purchasing a ticket...