This is the next generation of the family. Emily and her boyfriend, Jenna, my neices, my nephew, and his family. I could not be prouder of this bunch. And hanging with them as well as my family this weekend? Well, that's what it's all about.
Have a great Monday.
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Em came home this weekend for her birthday celebration, and we had a blast. The only problem is the time just goes by too quickly. A weekend just isn't enough time, I tell you.
We had coffee @ Grammy's both days, got to see a great volleyball game on Saturday morning, went out for appetizers Saturday afternoon, raked leaves, had pizza and cake with the family, a quick photo op, hit Michael's for yarn for sissy, and it was time for them to leave.
No complaints, just counting the days until they come home again.
My favorite picture from the weekend. She is a diva, for sure. Great capture, Kevin!
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Can't believe it's almost November. Where does the time go? The fact that Emily turned TWENTY-FIVE on Friday still has me reeling. How does it happen? I am blown away, for sure.
Busy is the word. It's been a tricky fall, one with enough little things to really bring a girl down. Like working without a contract another year. Or the perpetual hits we in education seem to be taking. Or getting a cold with a cough that hangs on longer than necessary. Or a furnace that goes kaput to the tune of $4000 to replace. But in the scope of things, it's all small.
As such, I'm trying to pull out of my funk and rejoin the land of the living. I need to mix things up a bit, so here are my goals.
I leave you with my girl on Halloween. She was a "Mad Hatter," which is code for "really dang cute."
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and it was a big one! We went for 6 days and nights, and had a blast. We went to The Straights, and checked out the UP. And can I just explain how hard it was to explain to Jenna the concept of a Yooper?
Here was the view from the campground.
We went to Whitefish Point to see the shipwreck museum and pick up rocks.
We visited Tahquamenon Falls. I can't believe in all of my years of going throught the UP to Wisconsin we never visited.We started by rowing over to the island so we could walk through the falls.
And we learned that you'd better watch where you step!
Then Emily and Kevin came up north to camp with us for a few days. We headed to Mackinaw City for the day and there was a reenactment camp set up. We shopped for a while . . . turns out we turned down these hats.
We went to the Island for a day and biked the 8.4 miles.
The sites were amazing.
To be honest, I'm not a big fan of the main drag with all of the people. It will be a few years before I want to go back.
Around camp we spent a lot of time reading.
We ate whitefish picked up from a local market right by the campground more nights than the surgeon general would recommend, I'm sure. We also did hobo pies and s'mores. Good stuff.
The day Em and Kevin left it looked like it was going to storm. We headed to the beach on US 2 to see the sights.
Jenna has a hard time saying goodbye to Sissy.
We headed up to Sault Saint Marie the next day and checked out the boats on the locks. And it was FREEZING that day.
Every day we swam by the bridge. The water was beautiful!
I will miss you, UP.
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Busy, fun weekend that is. Friday night was a purse party with lots of laughs and fun, Saturday was shooting an old-fashioned baseball game, and hanging at a friend's pool to plan for Relay for Life, then Sunday was Bill's family reunion.
Today I have pictures to edit, chores to do around the house, and more work on Relay tonight with the girls. Life is good.
Here is my layout of the day. Jenna at her "bridging ceremony." Not the best pics, but I documented the moment.
Have a wonderful Monday!
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Chicago, that is.
Spent the weekend with Em, Kevin, and Lauren in the windy city. Or around the windy city. Here are the highlights of the trip.
First night we went to The Glen. What a cool little area! We ate at The Yard House, where they serve beer by the yard.
Bill was happy! Plus the food was really good.
Then off to go bowling. We went to this cool bowling alley called Pinstripes, which is quite unlike the bowling alleys in our area. Upscale bowling alley sounds oxymoronic, but in this case was true.
Lots of laughs. And these shoes? Well, I'm in love. Lauren and I showing off our coolness. And we got to keep the socks. I know, right?
On Saturday we went out for breakfast, then the girls headed to Michigan Avenue to shop, and the boys went to a Cubs game. Jenna got to spend some of her birthday money at the American Girl Store. What could be better than that when you're 9?!?
Saturday night we went to the kids' apartment for dinner. We had traditional Chicago hot dogs and brats from an amazing German deli.
I swear, I would weigh even more if I had so many choices of places to eat or shop for food.
Before we went to the apartment we got to drive by Emily's school. I've never seen anything like it. IT IS HUGE. And it looks a bit like a prison.
No worries though. She's as happy as can be. She has a new assignment next year, and she's already prepping for it. Makes her teacher mommy very proud.
After dinner we headed off to play putt-putt golf. It was this old school course, and we had a blast. Notice Jenna's form?
Sunday we had brunch with Kevin's dad and stepmom, who were delightful. We didn't leave Chicago until late afternoon, and we took our time getting home. You know you've been on the road too long when you start trash-talking the GPS. We stopped in South Haven for dinner, and walked the beach for a bit.
It was a wonderful weekend. And while I am not destined to be a big-city dweller, Emily positively flourishes in the environment. Any hints as to why?
So I'm good. It's all we want for our kids, happy. I do miss her though.
Have a wonderful Wednesday.
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This is by far the busiest summer I've ever had. Now don't get me wrong, it's all been fun. Family and friends, catching up, staying up way too late, celebrations . . . it's ALL GOOD. Tiring? You betcha. Work? Not at all.
A lowdown of the festivities:
Lauren, Em, and Kevin came into town Friday. Can I say how much I miss my beautiful girl? Or how much we adore her boyfriend (hobl)? Or how much I adore his mom? I always feel so complete when my girls are both home.And as you can see, Jenna was just a little excited to see Lauren. LOL! We stayed up late, and made some party favors for the shower on Saturday.
Saturday am we got up and went out for breakfast and shopped a bit downtown. Then home to make the salads for the party, and then off to Jami's for the shower prep.
Here are Em and Kevin. Dang, they're a good looking couple! And no, the shower was not for the two of them. ;)
It was for these two. My nephew and his bride-to-be. Debbie gave a speech about joining the family as a thank you for the shower, and I totally teared up. She is a keeper.
And I can't forget the other couple of the family, including the birthday girl, Hayley. Nick is one cool dude. Just sayin'.
Then it was clean up from the shower, run home to nap, then off to a Loons game. Lauren's bubble gun wa a big hit with Wyatt.
Both boys loved playing with Uncle Dave!
When it got dark the lighted glasses were a big hit!
And the big kids didn't want to miss out on the fun!
And the prep for the fireworks began . . .
Who is having the most fun?!
Then up early on Sunday to visit Pa, and celebrate Hayley and Jenna's birthday.
And Pa got to be in on the action. It completed the weekend, for sure.
Our family is changing. Growing. It's exciting! And the fact that we are all still here to enjoy these changes? Priceless.
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I love My Mind's Eye. The colors, the texture, the whole 9 yards. Here is a layout of Jenna, and my soon-to-be-great-nephew. He is amazing, this one. And I am honored to be able to call him family.
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I don't know where the time has gone. This is the time of year I don't look at my calendar for fear of having something to do. Even though spring brings warmer temps, it's also the time of the year when teaching takes its toll. When enough is enough. DO NOT GET ME WRONG. I love what I do. But with summer just around the corner, it's tempting to quit a tad bit early. I'm hanging in there. Barely.
A lot has happened since my last blog post. Here are just a few of the details.
OK, that's about it for the last few weeks. We're hitting the home stretch at school, and I can't wait for sweet freedom!!!
Have a great Tuesday!
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How you vex me! This weekend just FLEW by! Probably because we were busy. Lots of family fun, as my nephew came to town to celebrate his birthday. Coffee both mornings, and a party Saturday night = fun. Jenna had a friend's birthday party as well. And yes, I watched some of the Super Bowl. My thoughts? Ouch on Christina. And ouch on Fergie. Commercials weren't that funny to me, but they never are. I did enjoy the game though!
Creatively did not accomplish much at all. Too busy and not enough mojo. I did do two sketch layouts (PageMaps) which I had hoped would spur some creativity. Not so much. There is nothing like a sketch though when my creativity fails. I did really enjoy using this line called Hopscotch from BasicGrey. The colors just made me happy. And that is a good thing indeed.
First, my little ham. Where does she get this?
I did a softer layout with the same line . . . really like how it turned out. Even though it's totally not my design. LOL!
Also this weekend I found my new computer addiction. It's called Pinterest. I am WARNING you, it can eat up a lot of your time. It's basically a way of organizing things you find online. I linked my account here on my blog. It's above my picture. I found tuts on making ANYTHING, beautiful photographs, home decor ideas, you name it, I found it. And also I made a board for mixed media canvases. That is my next creative endeavor. I guess since my scrap mojo has left the building, I need to focus on something else.
Enjoy your Monday. OK, it's a little oxymoronic. I know. But try!
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