Vacation – Page 3 – M. Sullivan Photography

February 24, 2014February 25, 2014 M. Sullivan Photography Family, Photos, Skiing, Sledding, Vacation, Weather

Mini Olympic Games

There were no gold medals, no world records and no opening or closing ceremonies, but we did have our own Winter Olympics this past weekend in our backyard and front yard and even from our rooftop. When mother nature gives you snow, what do you do? Our latest storm gave us over 15″ of snow. We had plans to take a mini ski vacation to Giants Ridge while the kids were on winter break last week, but with the “blizzard” predictions, we changed our plans and stayed in Duluth to ski at Spirit Mountain. The white out conditions caused Spirit Mountain to close at 4pm which was probably a good thing. We got home before the worst of the storm hit. By the next morning, drifting snow buried our driveway, sidewalk and everything else. As a family, we ventured outside and began digging out. After most of the work was done, the kids decided to have a little fun. Out came the snowboards and sleds and our mini Olympics was underway.

Girls Division | Driveway Snowboarding

Boys Division| Driveway Snowboarding

Senior Division | Driveway Snowboarding

After a quick photo next to the tunnel that leads to our front steps and door, we moved to the backyard snowboarding course.

Girls Division | Backyard Snowboarding

Boys Division | Backwards Skeleton

Girls Division | Swing Set Jump

Boys Division | Swing Set Jump

Preparing for the jump.

The big jump.

Pairs Roof Jumping

Relaxing before the jump.

After the jump and digging out.

Boys Division | Luge

Senior Division | Roof Shoveling

The snowman that was created back in December has not melted, but is nearly buried by snow. Here he is during the early December snowstorm when Mike and Sophia made him.

Here he is now…or what is left of him. Look for the tip of his red hat.

One final collage of the snow cover.

Subzero temperatures are in the forecast, but no snow…for now.

August 9, 2013 M. Sullivan Photography Birds, Family, Photos, Vacation, Weather

Summer Vacation

We took a week off during July and packed our bags, loaded up the SUV, hitched up the boat, grabbed the kids and the dog and departed for a week at a cabin in northern Wisconsin. We all were ready for some time away from our hectic daily schedule and were craving some rest and relaxation. We arrived very late on a Saturday evening (thanks to a championship Little League baseball game that delayed our departure). We unpacked our bags and dropped into bed. The next day we slept in, checked out the lake, headed into town for groceries and enjoyed the evening making s’mores. Let the relaxation begin!

The week in photos…

We enjoyed swimming, boating, tubing, playing games and the nature that surrounded us.

Mike and the kids also tried their hand at go-karts. It was a huge hit!

As Sebastian got closer to Mike & Sophia…

…Sophia put her foot on top of Mike’s and pushed the gas pedal to the floor!

The final s’more of vacation.

Final card game of vacation.

Final family photo of vacation.

We are already looking forward to next summer. 🙂

February 27, 2013 M. Sullivan Photography Birds, Family, Flowers, Photos, Skiing, Vacation

Week In Review

A quick recap of our week and a few gratuitous photos…

My Valentine’s bouquet still has blossoms. The irises finished last week, but the lilies are still blooming. Here is one of the stargazer lilies a few days ago.

The ice in the harbor made an unusual pattern last week.

The kids enjoyed a week off from school during their winter break last week. They spent three days with some old daycare friends. Mike and I took the other two days off from work to make for a long weekend with the kids. We spent Thursday skiing and enjoyed a night away from home by using a gift certificate for a local hotel (with a pool for the kids, of course).

Sophia had a playdate with a good friend on Saturday. They built a snowman in the front yard.

Sunday was spent at Chester Bowl. Mike was volunteering as a ski patrol while Sophia competed in her first ski race of the season. Sebastian wasn’t feeling well, but came with to help cheer her on.

There was a near full moon on Sunday night. I was with Sebastian while we took Daphne for a walk. The moon was golden while it was rising up from the lake. This is what it looked like by the time we got back to the house.

Yesterday’s sunrise was quite beautiful. I wish I had been down by the lake taking photos. Instead, I stood outside my front door in my bathrobe snapping a few pictures before I got too cold and had to go inside.