Monday, May 25, 2015

Memorial Day Weekend 2015



Kianna climbing wherever she can

Brown County State Park

Beautiful Lake Hike



Brown County- Nashville

Look at all those fish

Getting ready to capture some catfish

Boys






The kids LOVE this hammock

Our silly family

We traveled to Bloomington, IN to spend time with Uncle Todd, Aunt Traci, Broderick, Brittany, Elliott and Baby Isaac. Since Isaac is only two weeks old and they live in Indianapolis, they weren't up for traveling down to Bloomington for the weekend. Therefore, we stopped in Indy to visit them before heading further south. We got some cuddles in with the baby and had a nice visit with Elliott and Brittany. It was really nice getting to know Elliott better, since we had only just met him last year at the wedding. Needless-to-say, he was a little preoccupied at the wedding...

The rest of our time was spent in Bloomington. We took a trip to Brown County State Park on Saturday. We packed a nice picnic, let the kids play on the playground and did some hiking around a lake. It was a gorgeous day. The girls and Broderick then headed into Nashville to do some shopping, while the boys headed back home. The rest of the evening was spent grilling out and enjoying the beautiful weather. The kids did some hiking with Broderick and Aunt Traci and came back with an crystal clear geode.

On Sunday, we spent the day relaxing around their property. They got the paddle boats and fishing poles out. I was surprised by how much the kids enjoyed fishing. Kaylee and Kianna caught 5 and 3 fish respectively. Trace tried hard, but came up with a big goose egg. I was impressed that Kaylee was able to bait her own hook and get the fish off the line herself. Two things this mama is not willing to do! Trace absolutely loved following Broderick around this weekend. When Broderick took his shirt off, Trace took his shirt off. The kids adore him. They even caught a box turtle, which Trace named Flash. It was true to its name and escaped back into the woods... Our evening ended with a dip in the hot tub and Smore's. What a perfect end to a terrific weekend!

A couple stories for the road...

  • While packing for our trip I dared to open Kianna's closet, which is never fun for my Type A personality. As usual it was a disaster and I happened to find several bags that she hadn't unpacked. I decided to dump them out and discovered her toothpaste and toothbrush, which she had packed six days earlier for a sleepover. I began to wonder what she had been using to brush her teeth all week. Unfortunately, my suspicions were true...
  • The night before we left, Trace said our bedtime prayers. He prayed "that we would have a safe trip to whoever's house we were going to". The next day while in the car, I asked Trace where we were going and he said he didn't know. He was definitely along for the ride! He cracks us up.
  • Our first night in Bloomington, I went to check on the kids before I went to bed. I found them fast asleep with Kaylee hogging the bed she was sharing with Kianna. I attempted to scoot Kaylee over and managed to awaken Kianna who came to attention instantly. She looked around quickly, jumped to her feet and stood on the bed. She then jumped off the end of the bed and began speed walking towards Todd and Traci's bedroom. I quietly redirected her and told her she was sleep walking and needed to go back to bed. She obeyed and cracked up the next morning when I told her what she did. She is so funny. She often talks in her sleep too and says really random things.

Sunday, May 17, 2015

No More Training Wheels






Trace learned how to ride his bike without training wheels and is now a riding machine. He loves to make skid marks and has already popped a hole in his tire from riding so hard. Trace loves to ride his bike on the bike bath and is able to go quite far. He loves to be the leader and go super fast. Again he doesn't like to lose...

Kianna's Haircut

Before

After

Kianna doesn't like to comb her hair and is often found with her hair covering part of her pretty face or with food in her hair. Needless to say, it drives me a bitty crazy. My favorite hairstyle on her is when her hair is all one length at her chin. Since she is getting older I didn't want to force her to get her haircut, but have been commenting about how much I love her hair when it is short and how much easier it is for her to take care of. Much to my surprise, she decided she wanted to get her hair cut short again. I wasted no time in taking her to get it cut for fear that she might change her mind. She looks adorable and she agrees it is much easier to take care of. She also told me that cutting her hair is part of my Mother's Day gift. Love it!!! #thepowerofsubliminalmessages

Friday, May 15, 2015

Grandma Becki's Visit

Becki and I on one of our outings

Mother's Day
Trevor and his mommy

Trace's slime from the Hands On Museum

Trace trying to wipe the slime on Grandma Becki

Grandma Becki came to spend two weeks with us and boy did we enjoy having her here. We had an action packed couple of weeks. Her and I especially enjoyed our adventures on my days off. Some of the highlights include:
  • Crepes- After picking her up at the airport in Detroit, the two of us headed to Ann Arbor for the day. We tried out a crepe restaurant that was fantastic. We shared a savory ribeye, spinach and mushroom crepe and then each picked out a sweet crepe. I had a chocolate, peanut butter banana crepe and she ordered a banana foster crepe. We had a great meal and followed it up with a little shopping.
  • Soccer and volleyball games- We kept Grandma Becki busy with our active sports schedule. She had fun watching each of the kids play their games.
  • Shipshewana, Indiana- We spent the day in amish country. We had fun sampling baked goods, shopping and eating some amazing food.
  • Mackinaw Island- Becki offered to watch the kids for a couple of days so Trevor and I could get away just the two of us. She didn't have to tell us twice. We booked a trip to Mackinac Island. She enjoyed a nice weekend with the kids, while we thoroughly enjoyed our time away. Thank you Becki!!!
  • Mother's Day- The kids made the day special for both of us by making homemade cards. Kianna made a Mother's Day banner. Kaylee made each of us necklaces and she made Grandma Becki breakfast. Grandma Becki and Kaylee made dinner for us when we returned from Mackinac Island. Dinner included homemade chicken noodle soup and buster bar. Yum! It was a special day.
  • Croswell Tea House- Becki and I had a wonderful meal and conversation at the tea house. Becki was excited to try their tea sandwiches, while I enjoyed quiche and soup. 
  • Field Trips- Becki was able to go on two field trips with the kids. She went to the Lenawee Historic Museum with Kianna and to the Hands on Museum with Trace. 
  • Becki was such a huge help while she was here. Without asking, she did our laundry, cooked us meals and did our grocery shopping. I loved all the extra help!!! She was a blessing to have around.

Sunday, May 10, 2015

Mackinac Island

Mackinaw Bridge

Ferry ride to island




Snow in May...




Beautiful Downtown


Fort Mackinac

View from the fort


Arch Rock


Grand Hotel

Longest Porch in the world

No cars allowed

Beautifully decorated inside




Mission Point Resort- Where we stayed

Grandma Becki volunteered to watch the kids for a couple of days, so Trevor and I could get away just the two of us. We decided to go up to Mackinac Island as we had been wanting to go there since moving to Michigan five years ago. Our time away did not disappoint.

We brought our bikes with us and had a fabulous time riding around the perimeter of the island and on the many trails throughout the middle of the island. We toured Fort Mackinac and the Grand Hotel. The latter was extravagantly decorated. We shopped downtown and sampled the various flavors of Mackinac fudge. We thoroughly enjoyed our time together, relaxing on the beautiful island.