Pure Slabtown

Well, here we find ourselves in Traverse City, MI......and it's been a great time of year to inundate ourselves with the Up North surroundings.  We found a great rental home in Slabtown, a neighborhood right near downtown, until we find a more permanent setting.  The location has given us plenty of opportunities to explore our new environment without really having to hop in the car.  The bay, the park, the grocery store, the local ice cream joint, the restaurants.....all a 5 minute walk from the house!  I could ramble on about all the new stuff, but we're still learning as we go and we might as well show you some of what we've been up to.

Below, the local children's museum happens to be a new favorite of both kids.

And with the new surroundings, Margot has decided that she might as well start walking.  A new house with a new walker has added a new set of challenges.

As soon as we moved north, I proceeded to spend the next 10 out of 14 days traveling, and so Grandpa Doug played a great "Dad" fill-in while I was away.  One of the great things about being in TC is that we're about 30 minutes away from Crystal Mountain and all the great kid activities on the resort.  Below, Grandpa shows Tommy what swimming is all about.  I think Tommy's mom let him borrow her life vest.

I have some pretty big shoes to fill while away, so Willie Nelson found some time to make a pit-stop at Interlochen Center for the Arts in my absence.

Hello lawnmower.  It's been a long time.  Please be nice.

The Dairy Lodge happens to be a local icon, and it happens to be 2 blocks from our new home.  After the trauma of cutting grass for the first time in who-knows-how-long, we all deserved some ice cream.  Below, Gus makes sure the order is accurate ("and a dog cone please").

2 blocks north of us is the bay and an awesome park for the kids.  Chances are you'll find the Schaffler clan there almost every day @ 6pm.

Below, Tommy tries to convince me that the water isn't really 60 degrees.  The only way I know how to describe the feeling of the water in early June is that it's like having a brain freeze in your feet.

It didn't seem to bother Tommy and Margot though.

My new version of coffee at my desk in the morning.  Working from home can have it's perks.

We're off to a great start here in Traverse City and we're thankful we still have a few months left of warm weather to enjoy it! ;)  Hope everyone's Summer is off to a great start!