Year 7 in Port Clinton: Our Happy Place

 

Our seventh summer trip to Port Clinton was another one to remember! We enjoyed favorite traditions like breakfast at Jolly Roger's, donuts from Lake Donuts, and relaxing in the shade at Twin Oast—where Emerson happily accepted the ice water challenge that came his way. We also discovered a new favorite, Ciao Bella, whose desserts were absolutely incredible.

The weather was nearly perfect all week until our last day, when an air quality alert from the Canadian wildfires kept us indoors. We made the most of it by watching Big Brother, playing cards, taking afternoon naps, and simply enjoying a slower pace together.

The rest of the week was filled with beach time, pool time, great conversations, and two unforgettable float trips on Lake Erie—our favorite way to soak in the beauty and chill. Emerson also made new friends at the pool, including Lincoln, Sophia (pictured), and several others. Those friendships quickly became one of the highlights of his week. 

We tried something new this trip, with the grown-ups sleeping in the sunroom and living room and the girls bunking together in the bedroom. Each year we learn a little more about how to make the space work best for our family, and we're almost there. We left feeling grateful for another wonderful week in our happy place.

Wrapping Up Level 2 Swim

Emerson wrapped up his Level 2 swim lessons at the Liberty YMCA on Sunday. As he continues building his skills in Level 3, he'll be working on increasing his endurance and confidence with the front crawl and backstroke.

Celebrating America's 250th Birthday

 

Happy 250th birthday, America! We are so thankful for the freedoms we enjoy and the opportunity to celebrate our nation's independence.

Emerson and I joined Vinnie and his family for the annual downtown Delaware Fourth of July parade. The boys had fun collecting candy.

That evening, we kept things simple by watching the fireworks at the roundabout with the Welches, the Rays, Johnny, Sarah, and Joey. The close location was once again a perfect, simple celebration.

Making the Most of Summer

 

As June came to a close and we welcomed July, our house was full of classic summer fun. Emerson invited Dean over, and the boys had an epic Nerf battle with Dad.

Meanwhile, Winnie and Sarah have been making the most of summer break with what feels like endless sleepovers. They usually don't wander downstairs until around noon, when they're ready to whip up pancakes or waffles for a late breakfast. (I'm not allowed to show a photo, but it's funny when they surface!)

We also set up the water slide, and Elia, Liana, and Vinnie cooled off with Emerson in the summer sun.

To top it all off, Simon DJ'd a party, and Kit got all dressed up for the occasion. 

Sandlot 2026

 

Emerson, along with neighborhood friends Nora and Vinnie, had a blast at Sandlot this week at Alum Creek Church! They were on the Red Team, which finished in fourth place for the week.

Their favorite activity was scuba diving at the Westerville Jaycee Pool. They also enjoyed fun outings to TOCA, Resolute, and COGC, where Emerson was excited to notice that Winnie and Sarah are still featured on a hanging poster. The week also included Kona Ice, a movie day, and plenty of games with friends.

In the last photo, Emerson and Nora look on as the Camper of the Week is announced during the camp celebration. He's already looking forward to going back next summer!

Father's Day 2026

 

We enjoyed celebrating Seth on Father’s Day! In true dad fashion, he patiently spent part of the day helping Emerson with his mowing skills—at Emerson’s request. He received a card and a nacho dinner, complete with a WOW Butter chocolate pie for dessert.

We played cards and shared our favorite memories of him, along with what we appreciate about him. One story from a couple of weeks ago that stood out to me was Kit telling a coworker at Grady Hospital that her stepdad is the very best—and we all agree that’s true! 

Closing Our Michigan Adventure in St. Joseph

 

On Friday, we packed up and headed about 30 minutes south to St. Joseph, a first-time visit for our family. We enjoyed Silver Beach before grabbing lunch at Silver Beach Pizza. The pizza was amazing (vegan cheese!), and the Amtrak-depot-turned-pizzeria was a fun place to eat.

Before heading home, Emerson and I took a ride on the carousel. Goodbye, Michigan—until next time!

Sunshine Returns to North Beach

 

Thursday brought beautiful weather, and we were thrilled to see the sunshine return! We spent much of the day enjoying North Beach, soaking up the sun and making the most of our time by the water.

In between beach visits, we had dinner at Taste, which was a hit with everyone. Afterward, we headed back to the beach for even more fun. Emerson especially loved boogie boarding and could not get enough riding the waves. 

Rainy Day Relaxation

 

On Wednesday, Emerson and I picked up a few fresh vegetables from the Farmers Market. Rainy weather kept us indoors for much of the day, so we spent some time playing cards and enjoying a slower pace.

That evening, we had dinner at Three Blondes Brewing, which had a great vegan-friendly menu that everyone enjoyed. Later, Seth and I took an evening walk while the kids stayed in and watched Scooby-Doo together. 

Note: The photos of the kids were actually taken on Monday.

Sand Dunes in Saugatuck

 

Today we surprised the kids with a trip to Saugatuck and an amazing dune ride adventure. It was a huge hit—everyone enjoyed our guide racing over the dunes as we took in the incredible scenery.

Afterward, we stopped at Crane's for lunch (mostly incredible pie!). We enjoyed the beautiful views before heading back.

Once we returned to the condo, everyone was ready for a well-earned afternoon nap. In the evening, we headed to South Beach for a walk and some time at the playground.