Family time: Mackinac Island

I think Mackinac Island is one of Michigan's most interesting tourist locations. I have only been a handful of times, but each time, I am in awe of how beautiful and serene it is.

Late last night, we decided we would take the kids for the day. We weren't sure how it would go. There were a lot of variables that could lead to disaster. You never know what you will get with a 2-year-old and a 1-year-old, but we try to not let that stop us. But with an hour-and-half drive plus a 20 minute ferry ride plus missing naps, we really did not know how it would go.

IT WENT AMAZINGLY!

It was a great day filled with some great memories that our kids won't remember. But oh well, we will and it was great.

For readers who don't know anything about Mackinac Island, here are some fun facts:

• Mackinac Island is reachable only by boat or plane. 
• The modes of transportation on Mackinac Island are limited to foot, bike and horse-drawn carriage  Cars were banned in 1898.
• The Grand Hotel features 385 guest rooms, and no two are decorated the same. Five U.S. Presidents have lodged at The Grand. The Grand Hotel also has a 660-foot long porch — the world's longest porch.
• Mackinac Island is three miles long (to the east and west) and two miles wide (to the north and south).  The circumference of Mackinac Island is 8 miles.
• The entire island is listed as a National Historic Landmark.
• Fort Mackinac was built by the British. The U.S. was given it through the Treaty of Paris of 1783. The British captured it during the first battle of the War of 1812. It was given back to the U.S. through the Treaty of Ghent in 1815.

Ready to go on the ferry ride from St. Ignace.



Our first stop on the island was to Fort Mackinac



Calan loved the kid center at Fort Mack, especially the larger than life fife.



Calan helping Bob dress up in the historic apparel.



Then we headed to lunch at the infamous Pink Pony.



After lunch, we rented bikes and a bike trailer to take the kids around the island.



Bob got the lucky duty of pulling the trailor.



We took it slow around the island and enjoyed all the views.



They lasted 2 miles and then slept the next 6. It was great!



As we neared the end of our bike ride, we stopped at the
island's public school playground so Calan could play for awhile.



Two tired but happy parents after a successful family trip to Mackinac Island.



More dirt the better

Fun out by the water seemed innocent enough

Well, let's see what they are doing.

Oh, yeah this might be fun place.

Hmmmm. Not sure about this dirt. 

I love dirt. 

Is this awesome or what mom?

Who needs suits? Let's just try this out. I'll sit right here. 

Help Grandma, Help. 

The kids and I are having a great time. Despite some bad sleeping and Calan breaking my mom's eye glasses (yeah, that was fun), we are enjoying ourselves. We have played in the water, visited downtown, and eaten ice cream. Pretty simple pleasures that just make life great.

Pure Michigan

Well, I have escaped the craziness that is my life and have taken refuge at the most obvious of locations - My mother's.

I have been planning all summer this 2 week getaway with the kids in tow. I hope to make this trek every August from here on out.

It is a 5.5-hour drive without stops from my house. Obviously with kids, it takes a bit longer. I was pretty nervous yesterday driving up here all by myself without someone else to help take care of the kiddos. But like most things I worry about, I had nothing to worry about. The kids did amazing! I did not have one issue the whole way. We left around 10 in the morning and got up here just after 4:30 in the evening. We stopped for lunch and that was it. I could not have asked for a better drive. Amen.

As soon as we got up here, Calan has been attached to Papa Bill's hip wanting to do anything and everything that he is doing. So many guy things to do up. He is in heaven.

Maisie is, of course, just Maisie doing her own thing finding joy and happiness in the simplest of things.

Bob will head up Friday evening after work with our dog. As well as, friends of ours are coming up for the weekend with their children. I enjoy being able to share this special spot with friends.

Not sure everything that we will do while we are up here, but relaxing is definitely what the doctor ordered.

I hope that for years to come that my mom's house is the great place that my dad's parent's house was to us as kids. Since we are unable to see my family as much as my husband's, I hope trips like this feel special to them and are something that they look forward to every year.

I want them to enjoy nature and the simple life that my parent's house offers them. I love living in a city, and wouldn't move to the country for anything, but having places like my mom's to escape to is amazing.

Pure Michigan.

My view for the next 12 days. Not too shabby. 

Charlevoix 2012: Making Memories

For as long as I can remember, my grandparents lived in Charlevoix, Mich. As a child we went up several times a year, but mostly during the summer. I didn't go up there as much as my siblings, but it definitely was and is a special place for me. Randomly enough, my husband's family has also been vacationing there for years and now we get to share Charlevoix with our children.

This trip was somewhat special since it was the first family vacation there since my grandmother's passing in January (my grandfather passed away 3 years ago), as well as the first since my dad's heart attack in June (he lives there, too).

We went during their special Venetian Festival. The week is filled with music in the park, a beauty pageant, carnival, parades, races, and anything else you can think of. It has changed some through out the years, but it is definitely a very traditional event that brings back a ton of memories for me.

I hope as the years pass, Maisie and Calan enjoy Charlevoix as much as we do.

1) The famous bridge to Lake Michigan. Opens every hour and half hour, and yes, we were that close , so it was a bit loud, but fun for the kids. 2) Calan was exploring everything the second we got there. He did not sleep at all on the way up. I guess he was pretty excited. 3) Maisie just checking everything out when we got there. 

1) Calan was a little sick Friday, so we hung around the hotel while the rest of the family had lunch in Petosky and the guys went golfing. After naps, we walked down for some Superman ice cream. Perfect vacation treat. 2) Maisie and I enjoying some mommy/daughter time while Calan finishes his nap. 3) Maisie loving the pool on Saturday. Calan was not into swimming this trip. I think the pool was too cold for him. 4) Maisie loving life Saturday night after dinner and walking around downtown. 

Saturday morning was the Venetian Parade. It was the kids' first parade we have ever gone to. 1) Walking downtown to the parade. 2) Calan watching the fire truck go pass. He loved it, but thought it was too loud so close. 3) That is a tractor on steroids. Calan loved it. 4) Calan loved all the bands and would listen and clap for them. The bands were always my Grandfather's favorite part. Made me happy to see Calan enjoy them so much. 

After dinner Saturday night, we walked along the marina that now includes a splash pad since its remodel a few years ago. Calan wanted to go in, but wanted someone to go in with him. He would not do it by himself, so Grandpa Gris came to the rescue and got soaked. 

Saturday night after our walk downtown, we headed for more ice cream. Calan choose chocolate. Let's just say, we headed back for bath time shortly afterward. The kid was a disaster. 

Again, a best attempt at a family photo. One day we will get a good one. 

Happy Father's Day

Celebrated with a few gifts, decorations, and homemade cinnamon rolls. 

Calan was not into picture taking. Love toddlers. 

Passed out after church.


Here are the links to items I used to make our Father's Day special: Father's Day decorations printable, picture frame printable, cinnamon roll recipe.

Weekend getaway

Calan testing out the pilot's seat. He was in button heaven.

Maisie and I at Crocker Park in Marblehead, Mass. This is looking into Marblehead Harbor. Bob and Calan are  down on the dock behind us. 

Maisie being introduced to a lobster head. I wish we could get good seafood in Michigan. Bob and I could live off of  lobster and crab, though our bank account wouldn't be happy about it. 

Flying with kids totally not easy, but totally possible. Even with just a few days notice, we survived just fine traveling with both of the kids. We were pretty lucky that every flight we took had extra seats available, so we were able to spread out and Calan was able to have his own seat once we were in the air. It also was a huge help that my sister borrowed pack-and-plays and car seats from friends, so we did not have to worry about those items either. It was a huge relief.

The highlight by far was when Calan was able to sit in the cockpit. On our flight from Philadelphia to Boston, Calan had easily won over the flight attendant with his smiles and giggles. When we landed, everyone stood up and the flight attendant asked if Calan want to come up to the cockpit. With out hesitation, he walked right up there, but we were stuck where we were because of people in the aisle. So for the most part, he was just up there with the pilots and flight attendant. He had a ball and loved all the buttons, of course, and did not want to leave when it was time to go. 

We had a great time hanging out with my sister, brother-in-law, and nieces. The girls absolutely love the kids. 

Now we are back and I am trying to motivate myself to get the house organized and laundry started. It is just so nice out. We were meant to be outside today and not doing laundry. Responsibilities just stink sometimes. 

This week we have a few things planned:

• Monday: I had my annual mammogram this morning and then we played at our neighborhood park. This afternoon, I think I am going to take the kids to Home Depot to get some flowers and wood chips to get my flowerbeds in order. 
• Tuesday: Going to the zoo in the morning and then hanging out at home and grocery shopping in the afternoon.
• Wednesday: Cleaning day. Must get the house clean. 
• Thursday: Laundry and getting things in order for my weekend away. 
• Friday: Picking up my team's packets for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in the morning and then packing for my weekend away. Leaving around 3 p.m. for a camping retreat with women from my church. 
• Saturday: Not sure what Bob and the kids are going to be doing, but I am going to be rejuvenating.
• Sunday: Bob will probably take the kids to church and I will be home mid-afternoon. My mom and step-dad will be spending the night Sunday night and heading back to the UP Monday afternoon. 

Pretty busy week for us. Life is just not slowing down, but to be honest, I am grateful that we get to do so much. Our life with 2 kids is not always easy, but it is fun most of the time. 

As for meals: We are having chicken and vegetables tonight and I am grocery shopping tomorrow, so I'll post my meal plan tomorrow. 

Have a good week everyone!

Grateful Friday: Family Saturday mornings and Sunday dinners

When you have small children, sleeping in late, being lazy all day, or eating ice cream for breakfast are not exactly possible. For awhile, I think, we tried to fight it. We tried to pass off days and hope that one of us got to sleep while the other took care of Calan. And with Maisie, forget it; we both have to be up for the most part. Seven A.M. seems so much earlier on a Saturday than any other day.

This summer we unconsciously embraced our early Saturdays. We started to use that time rather than just moving around moaning how tired we were. We get up and kind of rush around a bit to get us out of the house. We go out to breakfast and then head to our local farmers market, which is open year-round.

I am so grateful for that time together. We get a big Saturday morning breakfast without all the dishes for me to clean up and I get half of my grocery shopping done.

I am hopeful that as the kids grow, we will continue to do this. I hope that they enjoy and look forward to it as much as Bob and I do.

On Sundays, we get together with my in-laws. And yes, this happens every Sunday. And yes, we like spending time together and enjoy each others company. We get together, eat dinner, relax, play cards (euchure of course), and get ready for the week ahead. Just like our Saturday mornings, Sunday family dinners started unconsciously and it has been going on for probably 2 years. We rotate between my father-in-law's house, our house, and my brother-in-law's. The hosting house makes the main course and we all bring something. We live within 3 miles of each other.

I am so grateful that we get together as a family and that my children get to see some of their aunts and uncles on a regular basis.

My life is full of routines and simple joys. I do not live a crazy, fast-paced life. I live the life of a mom with 2 children younger than 2 and for now, I am grateful for my Saturday mornings and Sunday evenings with my family.

(P.S. Thanks to all my new followers!)

Zoo in January!

I am loving the mild winter this year! It would be great to show Calan snow, but I hate the cold. So, I will enjoy this warm January as long as it lasts.

Watching the apes sleep and a mother care for her 5-month-old baby.

Maisie snug as a bug in a rug. 

Of course, Calan trying to make a new friend and the little boy is not too interested. 

Watching the seals

And the highlight: A swimming polar bear. This is probably our 8th trip to the zoo this year and the first time we have seen a bear in the water. It swam right over Calan and he pointed to the glass and said bear. Love this weather!

Monday Game Plan: U.P. bound

I can't believe that it is already 12:30 on Monday. I have been running around like a crazy person trying to get us all packed for our trip up north to my parent's house. It is about a 5.5-hour trip without kids; with the kids it takes us little over 6.

We are officially in the car on our way up. Praying Calan falls asleep quickly and stays asleep for most of the trip. I am hoping to only stop once, but we usually have to stop twice. Once we are up there, it is pure relaxation. I mean, who takes better care of you than your mom?

So here is the plan:

Goal: To have fun and relax as a family and hopefully have fun in some snow.

Monday: Packing and driving up to Michigan's Upper Peninsula to visit my parents and relax.

Tuesday: Take the kids to Tequanimum Falls.

Wednesday: Go visit my grandfather (who is in a nursing home up there) and head to Grand Marais for dinner at Bob's favorite brewery.

Thursday: Relax and pray that there is snow to play in. We will head home at some point depending on weather and what we are doing.

Friday: I have a doctor appointment in the morning and then just spending the day at home catching up. Probably grocery shopping and laundry.

Saturday: Pack up Christmas decorations. Probably just staying home for New Year's Eve. We just use family members for babysitters and hate to ask them so we can go out, so home it is.

Sunday: Home sweet home. Relaxation. Our church is not having services, so we will have a well deserved pj-type of day.

I don't have meals planned for this week since we are obviously on vacation. But, I will be making us at some point the baked egg muffins I made for us on Christmas Eve. I am seriously in love with them.

Have a good week!

Happy Halloween

Bob and I were debating what was worse teenagers trick-or-treating or us taking 2 kids who can't even eat candy trick-or-treating?

Either way, we had a good time. We spent the evening with family at my in-laws' house. Calan was all over the place and having a blast with all the dogs. We took him and Maisie to a few houses, but that was about it. Now, both kids are sacked out.

Days like today remind me how much more fun each year will be with our little ones.

Here's some photos from the night:

Maisie, our little bug, as a bumble bee and Mr. Calan
as a dog, minus the cute ears he refused to wear. 

Calan being welcomed to Grandpa
Gris's by Izzy. Calan was laughing
hysterically the whole time Izzy
was giving him a million kisses. 

Grandpa Gris trying to get a pic
with kids

And Calan was ready to go. 

Grandpa Gris trying to discuss
life with Maisie. 

Our best family photo. We just can't seem to get a good one. 

Maisie is nearing her bug maximum.

And maximum hit. 

It was a great Halloween. Can't wait for next year!

Pumpkin Carve Flop

I really thought Calan would find pumpkin carving really fun this year, but nope. He thought the insides were just plain gross and he wanted no part of the carving.

But he did like the final product. He was really interested in them once we were done. Maybe next year, he'll be excited like I hoped he would be.

Ready to go. 

Testing it out. 

Truly grossed out and done with me trying to get him to like it.
He went a played after this.

Now, he likes the pumpkin.