💚 From Prep to Packed:
Wednesday kicked off with a bang—potato salad, pasta salad, and strawberry shortcake all prepped like we were hosting a county fair. We loaded up coolers with sliders, brats, BBQ chicken, meat + cheese trays, and yes—snacks on snacks on snacks. Reminder: always overpack. Even if it's just for a weekend.
👙 Weekend Wardrobe Reality Check:
Spoiler alert: I packed like I was moving to a private island but spent 90% of the weekend in a swimsuit and a messy bun. It’s fine. It’s a vibe.
🛥️ Boat Drama & Big Fixes:
Thursday afternoon, the boys got the boat in the water—and wouldn’t you know it, bad gas nearly wrecked the whole kickoff. $400 worth of fuel + a drained tank + new filters = one determined captain. He got it done. We rolled into our Lexington, MI marina spot by 7pm and began settling into our weekend "cottage on the lake" (a.k.a. our Wellcraft beauty).
🐾 Black Lab Chaos & Swim Dives:
Cash—our beloved black lab—was on high alert the first night. Pacing, panting, side-eyeing the cabin like he’d never seen a bed before. The next morning? He leapt off the boat to chase ducks. No ladder down. Just vibes. And splash. Cue soaking wet dog and soggy parents. But we laughed... because of course we did.
🎆 Fireworks & First Row Seats:
Let me tell you, I’ve never seen fireworks like this. Front row on the boat, neck craned to the sky, the booms vibrating through the hull like a heartbeat. It was magic. The kind you bottle up and save for the hard days.
🌞 Sand, Sun, & Slow Living:
Saturday gave us all the summer sweetness: beach walks, grilled hot dogs on the Ninja Foodi, cold lemonade, porch music, family visits, shop strolls in town, and a few more naps in the shade than I’ll admit to.
⚓ Dock Switch & Sunday Slowdown:
Sunday we moved to our permanent dock, took the boat out for a sunset cruise, and dodged a quick rain shower just in time. Left her clean and cozy, ready for next week.
