Upper Michigan DAY 3

DAY 3... Traverse City

Waking up to SUN! * McDonald's Breakfast of champions... or not (I thought we got free breakfast at the hotel, but I was wrong) * driving along the river to find parks * swings * dipping feet in the cold lake * Watching ducks * Hanging out, reading, and lunch at the beach *Anna playing with her stroller * finding Rocks along the beach and throwing them in the lake * being encircled by hungry ducks * walk along the beach with a screaming toddler * Back for showers and naps * buffet dinner * playing at Bryant Park * Watching sunset * skype with K- Family * easier time getting baby to sleep * watching end of Body Guard *

Daddy and me

Anna took a nap on the beach

Throwing rocks into the water

One of her favorite past times... finding rocks

The ducks wanted FOOD!!!

Happy couple ( look at how clear that water is!)

Clinch Park Beach and Harbor

Just before sunset at Bryant Park

Yes, we LOVE taking picture of her, she is just so cute!

So much to explore...

Peek a boo!

Watching birds

For those that know me best know how much I LOVE sunsets. This was another amazing one. Though they aren't as romantic when your chasing an 18 month old along the beach. (:

Another amazing shot taken by my husband!

Upper Michigan- DAY 2

Day 2...
Not ready for morning after a LONG night * Yogurt and granola bars for breakfast * cleaning up a wet and dirty tent * Stuffing car full * Traverse City * Lunch at 20th ranked burger joint * Waiting in the cold for a room at Motel 6 * walking along harbor * chasing seagulls * finding rocks * rain and cold weather* swimming * Anna afraid of bubbles in hot tub * Old Mission Peninsula * Old mission lighthouse * beautiful vineyards * Old Mission General Store * walking down Front Street in the rain * eating steak and crab and a random soup * very LONG dinner thanks to the crab legs * fight with little one to go to bed *

I wonder why she was sleepy?

Dave's creative flare, I will post more of the scenic shots in another blog post Old Mission Lighthouse

approaching the lighthouse

Old general store, there were random things from ice cream to old cameras to rustic hats!

view from the car

Vineyards on the peninsula, this picture doesn't do it justice, it was such a beautiful view!

Upper Michigan Day 1

Another ROAD TRIP, just after a 1,600+ mile road trip from SLC to Ann Arbor. This time to the upper parts of MICHIGAN.

DAY 1...

Driving, wooded towns, sleeping Angel, 1st time camping, (but not getting any sleep in the tent), dancing in the tent, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Forest, Dunes Climb, Anna not liking the sand between her little toes, rain, storms, sand in the eyes, blacksmith shop, Leelanau and Northport, picky park ranger, pizza and running after Anna in a grocery store, and getting only a few hours of sleep with an uncomfortable toddler.

We had a beautiful drive through the woods and little towns

Happy Girl, even after many hours in the car.

Dancing in the tent

First Time using our tent after owning it for a couple of years, it worked great through all the rain, if only we could have slept in it. Anna was not content unless she was in the car.

Dunes Climb

Anna didn't like the sand in her toes, at first,

Family toes

Glen Lake, which would have been GORGEOUS had it not been stormy

At the top of Lake Michigan, it was SO WINDY, Anna kept bracing us for help.

It was windy, but BREATHTAKING!!

Goodbye Dear Friend... You will be missed!

Dave, during your internship this summer you know that we have grow close, extremely close, here is how much we bonded...

112+ Minutes per day (google time, this doesn't include bad traffic!)
560+ Minutes per week
70 days during the summer

42.1 miles each way
84.2 miles per day
421 miles per week

For a TOTAL of 784o+ minutes (131+ hours) and 2,947 miles throughout the summer

4-6 construction zones
Many fill ups at the gas station
2 books on CD and lots of hours of talk radio and music
Many Accidents (of others on the road)\

Sure makes your drive home to Ann Arbor seem like nothing huh?
I will miss you!

With Love,
Interstate-80 and Interstate- 15 and all the roads to and from

What to do with little Miss Moppy Head?

Anna's hair is always a topic of discussion at our house. She seems to always have something funky going on. Even when I try to do something cute she either pulls it out or it just sticks straight up. Poor girl has nail straight hair like her Mom and Dad! (Which hairdo to you like best?)

Miss Porcupine

Miss Pippi

Miss Bushy Tail

Miss Alfalfa

Miss Antenna Anna

Gift Wrapped Miss Antenna Anna

Miss Sharky

Miss Electrocutie

Miss Electrocutie (frontal)


Miss Mullet

Miss Prissy

Miss Helmet Head

Miss Wind Tunnel

I guess we are lucky she HAS hair, you can see what she looked like a year ago...

Miss Baldy

YES we are a fun family

Okay so from the looks of our blog we look like we have had a boring summer... but appearances can be deceiving (yes, I did just say the i before e, except after c phrase in order to type that word). I have a lot to blog about, in the last two weeks we have had so many things that I feel a bit overwhelmed of where to start. So this is what I hope to blog about...

Hiking, Cabin trip, 24th of July, my 27th birthday, playing with friends, swimming, Kjersti's cheer camp, My work, playing with cousins, getting GREAT highlights in my hair, Dave's internship and now fellowship applications, booking hotels in upper Michigan, Anna becoming champion eater (finally) and constantly answering questions with a head nod, Dave's 10 year high school reunion, my birthday dinner at Christopher's, 6 year anniversary, Grandma's 92 year birthday, and so much more.

STAY TUNED.... Pictures to come, they are just on the other computer!