Mackinac Island

I have to be honest. I have wanted to go here since my Uncle Tom and Aunt Bonnie took a trip her years a go. I remember hearing about them renting a horse and buggy to tour the island and thought it was the neatest thing ever. If you don't know anything about Mackinac Island the one thing to know is they don't drive cars. You can only travel by foot, bicycle, or horse (back or buggy). It is really neat (but we did see a truck on the island so what was that all about).

So after a bite to eat we headed out to rent a horse and buggy. But of course we had to wait to what else do you do but test out the school's playground. Even Grandma and Aunt Lisa got in on the play sets or swing sets.

So once our horse, Belle, was ready we were off to tour the island. It was very peaceful and VERY slow. Both girls ended up napping while Jennifer and I took turns "driving" the horse. Seriously there was really no driving involved because the horse did this so much she knew what to do, but she did tend to walk in the middle of the road so then we had to move her over. These pictures are from our horse and buggy ride.

So the "butt" of the day joke was about Belle and her walking farts and poop. Chloe thought it was the funniest thing that she was "stinky" (picture a 3 yr holding her nose and fanning her face while saying "Belle was stinky. She Pooped!!").

It was also their Lilac Festival while there, and well everything was in bloom so here are some pictures I just took laying around with my new camera.

Grayling Zoo

Not a zoo like we would normally think of, or well at least not what I picture a zoo to be. It was more of a zoo for local wildlife. My guess is the majority of these animals were injured and these people care for them and nurse them back to health. There were wolves, goats, deer, turkey, reindeer (I think Santa lets them vacation in sunny Michigan - that's what I told Chloe at least), peacocks (okay those I would expect to see at a normal zoo), a black bear, and much more.
They also allowed you to feed certain animals. Chloe and Aunt Lisa enjoyed this alot. She loved feeding the doe. In the pin with the doe was an injured turkey. Poor guy couldn't walk on his left leg. But at least he didn't end up on the Thanksgiving table right. =)

And of course I just had some fun with my camera so here are some shots of random things from that day.

Wildlife

All these were taken either from the inside of the house or on the deck. The snow gets so thick in the winter you are asked to set out food to help feed the local wildlife. The deer is pregnant, or should I say was (hopefully) she showed up twice then we didn't see her anymore. Hopefully that was because she had her little fawn. Also if you look at the chipmunk (who Lisa and Chloe dubbed chippie) you can see he is stuffed to the gills with nuts. (click on the collage to enlarge).

Sorry to intrupt the MI posts, but.....

I just had to share these two clips.

Roadside Flower Picking

When we were up in the UP, it was time for the flowers to really start blooming. Yes all of our March and April flowers (like the tuplis and daffodils) where just in full bloom. So one afternoon while Grandma and Caelyn napped we took a walk down the driveway and on the raod to the river to pick some wildflowers.

Here is a really cool shot (well I think it is cool) of the pine tree that it the marker for where their property ends.

Where we Stayed in the UP.

So June 13- 19 we went to visit my Aunt Lisa and Jen at their house in the UP (upper peninsula) in Michigan. They live in a very small town called Pickford (well right on the out skirts really) in the middle of the woods. Their back yard has a "river" running through it (in MO we seriously would call it a creek..lol) and the front yard is woods. Now that I think about it I didn't get pictures of the outside of the house. But here were the rooms my mom and I slept in. She slept in the "cabin" themed room while I slept in "boat" theme.

Chloe and Caelyn's room (even though Caelyn slept with Grandma most nights) is a fairy room, but easily can be passed off as a woodland room too (just in case Jen ever becomes a Grandma to a boy). I didn't get a picture of the other bed but it looks just the one shown but not as high off the ground.

These other shots are of the upstairs in the house. They have an "outside" patio inside, a craft area, and a nice sitting room with huge windows to look out into the yard. The other two are of Lisa and Jen's Master Bed Room.

So there is much more to come, our trip to a zoo, Mackinac Island, Pizza making, and more.

MI pictures to come.

Check back everyday this coming week because I will be posting pictures from our trip to Michigan where we visited Aunt Lisa and Jen. If you visit their blog they have some pictures from the trip up.

Happy Father's Day

Today is Dave's third Father's Day. It is amazing how fast time flies. He got a massage from the girls and I this year and enjoyed it very much. Today is a realxing day for all of use as we are going to also visit with his dad and my parents sometime today.

I cooked him Banana Nut Pancakes, hashbrowns and bacon for breakfast and tonight (with my parents) we are having ribs and pork steaks with cole slaw, baked beans, garlic bread, and fruit salad and maybe a cobbler, if I feel up to it.

So Happy Fathers day to all the dads out there, whether you are waiting on your miracle or they are all grown up we hope your day is wonderful.

Lemonade Award

Jennie over at Little Sundrops awarded me with the Lemonade Award, which is all about having an attitude of gratitude!

The Rules of Accepting and Sharing this Award:

1. Put the logo on your blog or post.

2. Nominate blogs that show an attitude of gratitude.

3. Link to your nominees within your post.

4. Comment on their blogs to let them know they've received this award.

5. Share the love and link to this post and the person who nominated you for the award.

Then tell us how you've come to have an attitude of gratitude.

I know at times I don't seem like I have a grateful attutude, but I really do. I know that I have been blessed in many ways that no one else has been blesses. But I also know I have shown that I am greateful to my family and friends many times. And lately, I have been able to hang with a group of ladies that are fabulous and I am so greatful to call them my friends. But I also have quite a few online friends that I have met, whether is was because we planned our weddings at the same time or I met them through a mommy board that have blessed me with opening my eyes to knew situations that I have not encounterd myself. I am greatful for all these people in my life, they make me who I am and make me stronger each day they are apart of my life.

1. Leanne

2. Becca

3. Jenn N

4. Jenn T