The End

So tonight marks the end of the Michigan Experience 2008.  This year was a remarkable year up north for several reasons.  Number one, my dad and his three brothers joined forces and bought the cottage next door.   This happened in April, so the months leading up to this vacation have been filled with renovations and preparations.   It's a fixer upper!  So instead of jamming 22 Luginbills (including 4 Franks) into five bedrooms, there are now ten bedrooms between the two houses.    Hooray for personal space, two televisions, two refrigerators, two boat docks, and two porch swings!   Number two,  I've never spent almost three weeks up here.   Usually it's up for the week the whole family is here and then on to the next summer activity.  This year, though, we ventured out and visited places we usually don't go like Pond Hill Farm and Waterfront Park.  Number three,  all 22 Luginbills were here together for three whole days.   A few cousins have missed it over the last few years due to summer jobs, sports, etc.   So we took this opportunity to take a cousins picture similar to one we took a long time ago.  Mike, the longest, lounged out front and we all popped our heads out behind him.  Miles and Beckham, the newest cousins, sat in front.  As you can see, we all were thoroughly thrilled! 

So that's all until next year.  It's sad to leave such a familiar home-like place, but we're ready to head home.  It will only be a few months until we start talking about Michigan memories and Michigan plans for next summer.  I love that!