Week in Michigan

It has been a fantastic and busy summer so far. We had the best intentions of this summer being low-key given the very hectic school year, but little did we know that 2 weeks prior we would decide to make the 23 hour voyage to Michigan for the week! Our best friends, Jim and April, were baptizing their precious little girl, Madelyn, and being the nice friends they are, didn't tell us right away because they didn't want us to feel obligated to attend. So with about a week and a half before the baptism we get the phone call. HA! We decided to pack up the kids and the car and make an adventure out of the whole thing. Best part - Jim had no idea we were coming, so Saturday morning when the girls rang his doorbell, April told us later Jim yelled to her to get the door because "there were some little kids" at it. April was in on the surprise so she yelled right back at him to get it. And boy, did we surprise him well - he was stunned for a good half an hour. We were so honored to be able to witness Maddy's baptism, it was such a special day! We spent the rest of our week in Michigan between Grandma Gail and Grandpa Tom's house, where we went at the Detroit Zoo and to the Grosse Park Woods Park, and Grandma Luci and Grandpa Denny's house, where we climbed to the top of the Ludington lighthouse and went on a dinghy ride. While also in Detroit, I was able to see my best friend from college, Heidi, and her daughter Sophie - it'd been over a year since I'd seen her last and it had felt as though I'd just seen her last week...that's when you know you have a wonderful friend! We had so much fun visiting Michigan in the summer - the girls did ask where all the snow was though :-)Here is a photo recap of the events:

Lauren and Emma LOVE baby Maddy, and had so much fun feeding her. Why neither of my children are clothed, I have no idea, but at least they feel very comfortable at Jim and April's house!

Lauren and Emma with Maddy after her baptism -she was out and looks like a porcelain doll! Not even a bear hug from Emma could stir her awake! The next picture is Lauren with our great friend, Greg. Lauren loves Greg, as you can tell by her face. The last picture in this bunch is our handsome men. L to R: Bill, Tom, Don, Greg and Jim.
Now, off to the Detroit Zoo! I was very much looking forward to this day, and was even more thrilled when Tom was able to get away from work to join us. We spent close to 6 hours at the zoo, riding the train to the back of the zoo (first picture below) and walking all the way to the front. I, as pseudo tour guide and holder of the map, ensured we saw EVERY exhibit! It was an awesome day - I may have had more fun than anyone :-) Emma was thrilled to see a Longhorn so far from Texas and begged me to take pictures of it with her. We also have one of her flashing the hook 'em horns sign which will be sent to her teacher (who taught her the UT fight song at like 2 years old). The girls favorite exhibit was the prairie dogs, and it is so cool because they have below ground tunnels for the kids to crawl into and pop their heads out just like a prairie dog! You can see Emma looking around for the little critters. And no trip is complete without a boo-boo. Lauren tripped over an uneven sidewalk section and slammed her head into a glass door. So, the local paramedics were called and I of course thought the world was coming to an end...until I saw this picture Bill took. Lauren certainly loves the attention, even if accidentally-gained.

While in Grosse Pointe, we decided to stop by the War Memorial where Bill and I were married, to get a couple of photos of the girls and us together. Can't believe it will be 9 years next week! How time flies. A favorite photo for most brides is standing in the wrought iron gate entry way. I remember standing there in my gown with Bill. Now, it is amazing to look at the newest picture and see the girls standing there where we were 9 years ago.

We met my best friend, Heidi, at a quaint park near her home which gave the girls a chance to play with Sophie, and me a chance to catch up with Heidi. I'm so glad she is in Michigan as I'll for sure now be able to see her more than just every couple of years!

Now, off to Ludington! We packed up the Clark van with the girls, Gail, and Jim, April and Maddy following behind, and headed up to Ludington to spend some time on the beach and just relaxing by the water. We walked out to the Lighthouse and to my surprise it is now open for visitors to climb all the way to the top! And we did just that - the girls included. At the very top you can see the light and the fog horn and a few miles out - it was definitely a first for me and super cool! The girls didn't mind much that it was a bit cool and windy on the beach for the adults, and spent a few hours building sand castles and collecting lakeweed to build the barriers. They thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Bill and Jim seemed to really enjoy each others company and were quite adamant about getting a picture of the two of them with the lighthouse behind them :-) Grandpa Denny took the girls and Bill for a dinghy ride around the marina and the girls just thought it was the best. They also met Grandma Luci's fishin' buddy, Robert who was very proud to show off his latest catch to the girls. And finally, photo proof that mother-in-laws do get along very well together - contrary to what some experts may think...ha ha ha!! It was a wonderful time having everyone together and looking forward to doing it again.

As quickly as the week came, it was over and the massive 23 hour drive back was in front of us. We decided to break it up over two days and spend the night half way through. Somehow, the straight through drive to Michigan was more appealing to us all than the drive home :-)