4 generations...

Our 2nd annual Erickson family picnic on my dad's side. 

This year my Brother Rick hosted!

Sadly the camera clicker was out of range so the photo below is a practice photo before I ran to be in the picture. A few people are looking at the camera, most aren't, and I'm missing, oh well.

34 of the "Erickson" tribe made it!

The youngest & oldest siblings of my dad, 

Bob and marilyn are the only ones left in the 1st generation. Dad would have loved this.

The 2nd Generation (My generation) 1st cousins. Three weren't able to make it

1st and 2nd cousins, several were missing, I lost count

It was so fun to gather, share a meal and reminisce

3 generations, My big brother, his son and grandson

My little brother sharing old photos that he brought to life with AI 

When I was 15 my sweet baby cousin Holly was born!

Our dads were twins and she was my flower girl in our wedding.

Olders, middles and youngers

Just chillin'

The Matriarch (How is she 90?)

The littles, running around playing games

When I was a little kid, family reunions were a big thing. It was a time when the "old people" talked and the youngers played with 1st  & 2nd cousins they barely knew. 

As I get older I appreciate these gatherings, our plan is to continue every year in August.

How about you... do you have family reunions, how often do you gather?

Its a wrap! Beware, Photo dump Family week

 These people.... we are blessed

Starting to arrive

Lots of swimming, jumping off the dock and snorkeling

Oh, and tubing

Did I mention fishing?

Tossing of children

Coloring

Gaming and snacking

Rough housing

Chillin'

Lounging

Uncle Gavin and his peeps

Sand play

King of the raft

Kayaking

Boating

Tubing

For some of us, learning a new game

Building with K'nex

Making pie

Lake time

<3

Auntie Brie is queen of braiding

Pure goof!

Our Joy!

Good bye is hard 

Family week 2025

This is our 10th season at our little cabin on the lake.

We have been blessed each year to have all of our kids, their spouses and grandkids here at the same time over a week! These 10 years have been the “golden years” for us, at least that’s what I call it. Our grandkids are still young enough that there are not a lot of things that get in the way of coming to the cabin for this precious week. 

There are 11 of us and sometimes it feels like we are all on top of each other, but we make things work cuz

 we all love being together.

Today the remainder of the family left, including the grandkids and their parents. (Chris & Gavin Went back A few days early, well because… Jobs!)

Sigh, always a bittersweet day for us

Love these littles 

Siblings

As they begin to leave

Final words from Dad 

There they go 

Better Late than never.... Michigan road trip

In Early April Rick & I celebrated our 43rd anniversary

We decided to head to the UP of Michigan

We had never been to Michigan and especially wanted to visit the UP

We started our trip near Houghton MI at a sweet little VRBO cottage on Portage Lake.

It was still WINTER in  upper Michigan but I wasnt mad about it!

It served up well

Living area

Kitchen

coffee bar

The recliner was the deciding factor on this place

extra bedroom

Portage Lake

This was our home base for 3 days as we explored the area.

We traveled up the left side hitting all the little towns and some sites to see.

I had recently torn a few muscles and ligaments in my Left hip area so there wasn't a lot of extended walking or hiking on this trip! Still, everything was beautiful

Windy and cold

The lake was active

Got to see a few lighthouses,snow and waves

All the way to the top, Cooper Harbor

After a few days we ventured to Marquette...

We stayed at this super nice hotel right on the water, 

we walked out to the end of the pier several times.

Another lighthouse

 

It was fun to find NMU

The Super Dome!

It is always open to the general public for walking...so we did

Long jump pit

Presque Isle Park

The photo doesn't do this area justice, it was so pretty

I wanted to find a unique place to eat, after talking to some locals we ended up at "The Vierling"

This Historic restaurant has been a focal point in downtown Marquette for over 140 years.

We enjoyed the ambience...

and the food

We highly recommend it

Despite the fact that I was a little laid-up, we had a great time exploring the UP of Michigan, 

Next time we will go in the fall when the colors are know to be spectacular.