I hear that old piano from down the avenue

I smell the pine trees, I look around for you

Oh, my sweet, sweet, sweet old someone coming through the door

It's Saturday and the band is playing

Honey, could we ask for more 

The other night we enjoyed Garrison Keillor's farewell tour at the Frederick Meijer Gardens. It couldnt have been a nicer night, or nicer company.

Barbara made fantastic boxed lunch dinners, tied up in a most darling way.

Garrison came right down our aisle!

Look who else was there! Baby Arie and his momma and dad :)

My sweet old someone(s) - way to poto bomb that one DAD! :)

Good music and good stories made for a most perfect summer night.

A fresh coat(s) of paint

Three. Three coats of paint. On a 90 degree day. But we made it! 

Let's get serious, Peter did most of the work, (full service husband, just ask him :) however, I did feel like I was getting close to losing a fingerprint from taping.

I failed on taking before photos, but the walls were tan, the door white, the trim paint peeling, and the light fixture bad.

And here's what it looks like now:

I apparently have a three year vetting period for curtains. They must remain in my basement on the shelf for 3 years before they can see or block out the light of day. Thank you Lindsay for buying the same one and then relinquishing it to me :)

June came by for a bit too. She needed a break from the construction at her own house, which is considerably more involved than our paint :)

Still to be finished: carpet and baseboards.

Ole! Ole! Ole!

The other night Peter was away fighting the rebels, so in an attempt to garner a free meal, I ended up spending the evening with my parents. I had no plans and they did. #weird

Their plans were to take in the soccer match happening at Houseman Field. So on the hottest night of the summer, we and 5000 other people packed in and watched the GRFC win! 

Real futbol. It was fun!

ps: I had success with the free foodies, including a Whippy Dip after :)

Birthday Weekend!

I'm beginning to learn that for a guy who doesnt like a lot of fuss, Peter's birthday tends to get celebrated, and celebrated, and celebrated. Check last year's archives and you'll see what I mean.  

It's really fitting for a guy everyone loves, and certainly no trouble for me, I havent met too many cakes I didnt want to devour...

If you recall, he had an early celebration in Boyne so Friday we resumed the celebrations, this time with his family; he shares the day with his dad and his mom's was just 10 days before, so it's a whole group effort!

Saturday we biked the Kal-Haven trail, something he's been talking about since I've known him.  It turned out to be a good ride, but maybe not repeated any time soon. Also, add a travel bike pump to next year's bday list...

Sunday was the actual big day, the kittens begged to have the birthday banner hung, so I obliged. We had preschool chapel and the kids all sang to him, just darling.

The one fruit dessert he'll make an exception for, and it was delish!

Sunday evening we celebrated with friends and the youth who arent at camp or in Mexico. Ice cream s'more cake was a crowd pleaser!

Happy Birthday to my main squeeze!

Vacation Outtakes

Here are a few of the funny moments that didnt make the original cut.

Little girl's hair stylist

Up close and personal with Peter and the bridge, zoom out! zoom out!

Doughnut smile

Puppies!  We ran into several, and the kids were THRILLED!

No idea what was happening here, other than she cant get enough of her Uncle Peter

Sometimes your little brother needs beating up

Backseat photobombin'

Spill proof

Kids behind the cam.

When you look through your photos and say, whaaaaaaat?! ha!

Cake please!

Catching the breeze on the ferry ride

Dream Big! Someday maybe you can see your name in raisins

Rita and Mos cheesin'

Sam had to have a photo of his crustacean

That's a wrap! Until next time!

Week 2 Adventuring!

The loaded down truckster, passengers, and furry stowaway met family and friends in Boyne City and continued to push north all the way to Sault Saint Marie, Hello Canada!

We spent the weekend in the UP, saw a bear cross the road, watched the ships pass through the locks, skipped rocks on Lake Superior, and were nearly eaten alive by hummingbird sized mosquitoes!

Refuel with lunch

Coo over Virginia

 Load 'em up! Hit the road!

We made it! The Soo Locks!

Buddies and a peace sign. Always a peace sign.

The next morning it was off to Tahquamenon Falls, we saw both the Upper and Lower Falls and just about every trail in between :)

Instructions from troop leader Uncle Peter.

Pete and Jake in the morning

So nice

but only because a silly shot was promised ;)

Some grandma knowledge transfer

Orvis Catalog...

Then it was off to Whitefish Point

Ummm what?! Whose kids are these?!

Monday morning we dropped back into Trollville below the bridge, but stopped for some photos first.

After our friends departed on Monday, we settled into our condo for the week.

Tuesday we poked through town, hit the library, and caught a bite to eat.

Wednesday cooler weather called for a trip to the Lavendar Farm and a bounce house

 Thursday was our big outing to Mackinaw Island! No cars! What?!

Wait for the ferry

Which took us under the Mighty Mac! How fantastic!

Look! The island!

Our first order of business was biking around

Lunch in the park

Cheesy smiles

A few hiked to Arch Rock

And we finished with another biking trip around, which did some of us in...

Friday we hit Charlevoix and enjoyed their splash pad

 Sam was allowed to play with his very own box of matches and Ellen supervised.

 We celebrated Andrea and Peter's birthday

And then went downtown to stroll the city

 Happy Fourth of July!!!!

Kicking things off with a parade!

Sam found a crustacean

In the afternoon we watched the raft and duck races

And then lit our own fireworks! Thank goodness for a trained professional's help!

Sunday we headed home, cleaned up, rested, and reunited with friends at church. Monday they played with friends and then boarded the plane with Debbie Stabenow, four unaccompanied minors are ready to go!

Adios amigos! It's been real!