Labor Day Weekend on Lake Erie

We're back from our annual Labor Day weekend with our friends on Lake Erie.

You can read recaps of years before here, here and here.

It's one of our most favorite weekends of the entire year because we get to see our best friends D. and Kathleen and we love Lake Erie and its islands.

D. and Kathleen live in Cleveland but have a weekend home on Kelleys Island.

I explained more about the island in this post.

Only accessible by boat or plane it's charming and quaint.

Views of the lake everywhere.

 In years past we typically get up and bike the entire island but this year, giving that Kathleen and I are both pregnant(2-weeks apart, both with girls), we stayed off the bikes and chose to walk instead.

 I love walking, and having a water view all the way into downtown makes it even better.

 What makes it even better..better?

Walking with one of your best friends.

Wished we lived closer.

 Of course, having your hubby with you isn't too bad either.

*smile*

This year was much lower key than in years past since we're both pregnant.

It was actually really nice because I haven't been feeling 100% due to rib and back pain.

~~~

We spent time at the park.

 Where their 2-year old son Blake got to swing and play, play, play.

 He cried when we left.

Little boys.. 

*smile*

 We enjoyed apps and drinks out and about on the island but also enjoyed time at home.

 Non-alcoholic beers.

Saturday was the kickoff to college football and we headed down to our regular stop - the Buckeye Bar at Caddyshack.

 Mr. Blake was a good sport but wasn't a big fan of the Buckeye.

I don't blame him - I'm not big on Ohio State fans either.

LOL!

Overall, a nice time on Kelleys Island and I'm happy to report that some of that rib and back pain that I have been suffering from for the last 6-weeks?

Actually let up!

I prayed before we left that it would subside and God answered my prayer!!

PTL!!

Let's see if it lasts!!

~~~~

This year we left the island on Sunday and headed back to Cleveland.

Something different and fun.

D. and Kathleen took us down to Whiskey Island on the lake.

 Interesting place!

They were having some sort of Labor Day festival and I felt like I had been transported back down to South Louisiana.

It was the weirdest thing.

From the music, the people and the atmosphere - it was like a Louisiana festival!

The only thing missing was the delicious food!

 We had to get our obligatory pregnancy picture so we can show our daughters when they're older.

 And, a picture of the 4 of us to refresh the frames.

D. was hiding his beer in case you're wondering.

 Always such a fun Labor Day tradition!!

We were talking - it will be crazy next year because there will be 2 more people in our party!

Baby S and Baby D!

They'll be 9-months old at that point and time.

Can't wait!!!

How was your Labor Day??

Labor Day on Kelleys - Day Three

Our final day on Kelleys Island was low-key and that was great for both Brad and I.

We woke up to find baby Blake and Mama decked out in West Virginia gear in anticipation of the game against Marshall later in the day.

Kathleen's family is from WV and they are HUGE Mountaineer fans.

 We enjoyed a nice lunch at home then took a golf cart ride around the island and ended up at the winery again.

 The winery was a perfect place for all of us because it was very kid friendly and baby Blake could crawl around and explore.

They even had a playground and horseshoe pits for older kids.

 Nice and relaxing.

D's Mom, Grandma Roberta, joined us on that Sunday as well.

 Afterwards we headed home to cook up a little dinner.

By this point, it was raining.

 Kathleen made this yummy salad!

Mozzarella, tomatoes, guacamole, basil and a little Italian dressing. 

Perfect! I might even make this tonight!

 Corn, along with steaks and salmon, of which I didn't take pictures of.

 Later on we ventured out for 'ice cream', leaving Blake home with Grandma, and ran into this young girl(whom D and Kathleen knew), who showed us her hula-hoop skills.

 All four of us, minus Brad, wanted to show off our skills too!

D was first.

 Kathleen was second(and the best in my opinion).

 I was third.

I really was a good hula-hooper back in the day but I've lost my touch.

Bums me out.

 After that we grabbed our last beer for the weekend.

 Talk about being bummed to leave......

Here's our sad faces.

Such a great weekend and it was sad to leave despite all of us being totally tired.

We're now planning our winter trip together.

The talk is that we will meet halfway at The Greenbrier!

Thanks for sticking with me the past three days!

I was planning on attending Fashion Night Out tonight but I have too much to do.

We're leaving tomorrow for a week and I need to pack!

Beach Time!

More tomorrow!

Labor Day on Kelleys Island - Day Two

The last time Brad and I visited Kelleys Island together D and Kathleen had us all over the place.

It was a total blast but since we had done that before we all decided to 'kick it' on Kelleys with a day-trip to Put-In Bay one day.

So, on Saturday we started the day out early at the Buckeye Bar to watch a little football.

Holy moly it was hot!

Like 95-degrees hot!

That's pretty bad for Ohio on a Labor Day weekend.

Since none of us expected such weather we were a little low on clothes so I loaned my fav orange dress to Kathleen.

She was digging the feather earrings I had to wear with it.

They were the big topic that day.

Later in the day we had other friends join us on the island.

As I mentioned we were going to take the Jet Express to Put-In Bay but at 2pm they were sold out until 6:20pm!

That wasn't going to work since we only had a babysitter from 2pm to 8pm.

So, we decided to stay on Kelleys.

We headed back to the Marina area where nice boats were everywhere.

I really loved this one.

Pictures don't do it justice.

Below istheir air-conditioned living area.

The fresh flowers, pillows, flat-screen.

I love it all.

We had a few cocktails with those who joined us.

And, listened to the live band playing while watching college football.

Next stop West Bay Inn.

It too, is on the water.

We enjoyed ribs and a few more cocktails.

Yes, I did change because I managed to sweat through my green dress earlier in the day.

Again, it was HOT.HOT.HOT!

And, of course Kim had to try on the feathers before it was all over.

I ended my night at home watching the Tigers beat Oregon.

Good Times!

Hope you're not too bored.

One more day than it's on to other things!

Happy Wednesday!