The Parrillo Family

For as long as we've had kids, Natalie and I have spent the 4th of July up 'at the lake'.  Up until this year, that has always been with Noonie and Papa in Coloma on Paw Paw Lake.   Here's some photos from 2013 up in Coloma with Eloise and Sadie and Grammy and Granddad and Aunt Sisi. This year, we were fortunate enough to be able to go up to Lake Elizabeth where the kids got out in this little raft that you see above and below.  The interesting thing is that *this* is the raft's second life.  It actually is from my childhood all the way back in the 1980's and Vic and I used to paddle around Paw Paw Lake (and Vic would take it up the channel) before we were old enough for the Waverunner. I love seeing my kids in the raft and I immediately sent my Dad (Papa) these photos, which he adored! The kids loved the freedom the raft gave them.  They could play 'Disney Boat' for an hour!

We made our annual trip to Coloma Michigan for the 4th of July holiday.   Last year was our first as a family of four and our little Sadie was just a tiny thing at three weeks old! Here's the photos from 2012.  Sadie was so new! Here's the photos from 2011 .  Look at how much Ellie has grown! This year we were able to spend the holiday weekend with Nat's family up in Coloma.  Her folks as well as two of her siblings (and significant others!) came along and we crammed it into Noonie and Papa's place. Our two girls had a great time spending hours outside with their Aunt Sisi, Uncle Bill, Uncle Peter, as well as Ryan and Molly. This was Sadie's first time out in the sand and after figuring out that it isn't best to eat the stuff, had a great time making (and busting down) castles. We spent time on the boat, out on the pier fishing (with Ellie and her 'net' below!) and had a few nights of panoramic views of fireworks out on the lake.  ...