A TRUE LOVE'S FIRST KISS

Tonight we were able to hang out again with our good friends the Abernethys. We are so excited that we are all back in A2 together. Anna and Hunter are only a few months apart and had a great time playing together... if you count stealing toys.
The two were sitting by each other on the back porch and Katie (Hunter's mom) asked Hunter to blow Anna a kiss, they both turned towards each other and kissed! We laughed so hard! I ran to get the camera and we tried to recreate the moment, I didn't get the best photos, but here is Prince Charming and Cinderella....

Too bad Prince Charming was the one that ran out on Cinderella in this story, soon after the kiss he got allergies to something, we assume the dog, but I guess he could be allergic to his first love! Too bad, they make a cute couple!

P.S. It has been exactly a year since we first hung out together. Things have changed just a bit...
( I don't know what happened to these pictures, they are all pixalated (if that is a word!?)

Upper Michigan- DAYS 6 and 7- the end

Mackinaw Island and HOME!

Arnold Ferry Ride * "bubbles" * WINDY * Awesome views of the island * Anna obsessed with camel back * Quiet streets * Ryba's Bikes * Anna's helmet * Sainte Anne's Church * Anna not liking the bike and pinching Daddy's back * Arch Rock * beautiful clear water * having to stop to fix Anna * Anna's interesting nap * *8 miles around the island loving every turn * struggling up hills on a 3 speed bike to just turn around * walk through down town * "neigh neighs"* yummy chicken sandwiches * The Grand Hotel * poor Canadian worker who had to stop everyone not staying at the hotel * watching horses * going into stables and seeing and touching Hank the largest horse at the hotel * the fort * walking through bird poop * playing on the lawn * saying hi to Mollie the dog and almost getting bit * trying to shop and bringing bird poop into the store on the stroller wheels - the store worker's look - hillarious as if he was saying "what the heck am I suppose to do with that!?* not finding any good things to buy... except Anna's toy "neighs" * Missing the ferry to buy ice cream * Spending hours looking for a good sweatshirt * A not so wonderful and very expensive buffet * Fun evening just together * Waking up just in time to see sunrise then back to bed *

Heading over on the ferry going by the bridge-( it was SO windy!)
Anna loved watching the "bubbles" or the wake behind the ferry

A view of the grand hotel this thing was huge!

I didn't expect all the homes, there were some LARGE summer vacation homes around the island.

Main Street in the morning before all the crowds, horses and bike riders

At the beginning of the bike ride. Anna looked so cute in her little helmet, though she didn't think so and here is what happened later...

Anna enjoyed the bike ride in a totally different way. She slept the WHOLE time like this! Ha! Thanks again Dave for pulling her.

Arch Rock

A view from Arch Rock The Island was SO gorgeous, I just kept turning to Dave and saying, "I LOVE THIS!"

The amazing Daddy and Sleeping Wonder

A view of the road (this is the only "state highway" in the U.S. that doesn't allow cars)

The Mama!

THE GRAND HOTEL- they would stop you at the point where this picture ends ( on the right) and not let you pass unless you were staying there or paid to go inside

Anna couldn't get enough of the "neighs." There are no cars allowed on the island and the only ways to get around are walking, biking, renting your own horse and buggy, riding a horse, or going around in a carriage like this one.

We went into the Horse stalls to look around, this young lad pulled out the largest horse on the island. Anna was THRILLED! He was about 7 feet tall. The horse's bridle costs over $8,000! The kid then got dressed and went out with a few horses on a carriage that looked like this...

One of the first wagons on the island

We played at this park for a little bit to let Anna run some energy out. It was a beautiful view from all over the island

If you couldn't tell by the next photo Anna had a good day!

No, the next photo is NOT a sunset, if you have been following the blog it is full of them However,

Anna woke me up my crying out for a minute. I noticed how the sun was coming in through the balcony and stepped out to snap this photo of the sunrise. Pretty good for being half asleep.

Anna saying goodbye to a wonderful trip (okay actually the bubbles on the back of the ferry).

It was such a good week! If you have read each post, you are amazing. I did a lot of writing, mostly for my own journaling. Thank you for enjoying the ride with me!

Now, on to updating the blog on our summer... oh man!

Upper Michigan DAY 5

MACKINAW or MACKINAC

Carb Breakfast, but free * driving AGAIN, through Petoskey then onto Mackinaw * Anna Sleeping the whole way * beaver tail woman * Luckily getting gas before * Mackinaw Bridge * fighting time and the rain * Tahquamenon Falls or "root beer falls" * getting POURED on * splashing in the puddles * Lunch in the car * family with matching shirts * White Fish Point * WINDY * Upgrade room for a beach view * swimming at Pirate's Adventure * Anna being afraid, but asking for "more" * Largest Spa in Mackinaw * Looking for the best price on FUDGE! * bought two pounds and became a "fudgie" * Pizza Buffet *

We stopped to get gas before we headed to the upper peninsula, while Dave was in the gas station I saw this woman enter. I made Dave wait outside until she came out so we could snap this lovely picture. WOW, is all I can say, is that a beaver tail? Sewn to a dress?

Welcom to Mackinaw Bridge, you will be traveling across the lake on this thing for 5 miles! enjoy! I started to drive after we got gas, but I only lasted 15-20 minutes and was falling asleep. Ha, luckily my husband is a good driver!

"One of the largest falls East of the Mississippi"

Tahquamenon Upper Falls

The "lower falls" this is actually only one set there is another through the trees on the right.

We were already soaking from our walk back from the upper falls, so we enjoyed "splash splash" in the puddles

White Fish Point on laek or the "graveyard of the great lakes." Over 330 sailors have lost their lives at this beach in approx. 550 wrecks .

White Fish Point- a nice canadian took our picture

Anna looking off our balcony

Yes, another sunset this photo turned out great for how dark it was. Great job Dave!

Upper Michigan Day 4

CHARLEVOIX

Dunkin' donuts for breakfast and onto continental breakfast for tomorrow! * Small towns along the way, one with a rather LARGE swan * Fisherman's State Park * Looking for Petoskey (or as I refer to them "Petot-sky") stones * Awesome Park Ranger * Lunch at Burger King (yes we are forgetting calories counting today...okay most days) * Playing at Ferry Park * Getting in cold water * Anna asking the boy to jump off the pier some "more," playing in the sand * Meltdown * Checked into "The Lodge" * Walked for 3+ miles around Charlevoix * Watched Bridge got up to let boats through * Lake Michigan * Round Lake * Mushroom houses * Belvedere Street * Mexican to go * Anna dancing on the stage * playing by the harbor * watching sunset at Lake Michigan Beach * Getting stuck on the slide * Anna laughing hysterically * A duck seat for the photographer (aka Dave sitting on the duck tetter-totter) * Sleeping in a 1970s hotel, that has not been updated since it was built!

Along the way there we found the home of a Large Swan... ya think? We actually found MANY rather large creatures throughout MI including: a bear, Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox, and a chicken to name a few.

Fisherman's State Park, it was beautiful, with campsites right along the beach, I would recommend camping here.

We loved playing in the sand, I was trying to write Anna's name and there wasn't much space, so the water kept getting it. Anna wasn't thrilled about it anyway.

Charlevoix Bridge that goes off every 30 minutes to allow large boats to go from Lake Michigan to Round Lake. It was pretty cool.

Dave bought this for me, a large glass house along the beach.

Anyone is welcome next door to the mushroom house with the cool rock gate!

"Mushroom Houses" or "Boulder Houses"- these were all over, they had the funkiest style, especially the chimneys.

We walked along probably one of the wealthiest streets in Charlevoix. Each house had it's own dock along the harbor. I loved the blue one with the gray roof below from the front of the house. Then I couldn't believe it when I saw the back! It is incredible, so are the other ones next door!

Family Photo on the Harbor

Dave uploaded the photos he wanted on this post, so that is why this photo of me is here.

Playing hard before bedtime! I love her hair in this photo, classic Anna.

Ending another fun day. Those buoys always crept in, but still is beautiful!

Yes we LOVE our sunsets, this was probably the most gorgeous one I have ever seen in my life. Dave was again the photographer and I played on the swings and slide with Anna.

The lovely 1970s peach and blue bathroom!

A throne fit for the Smurf King. (actually, it kinda reminds me of the one we had in our duplex. Does this remind you of home Natalie and Trent? (: )

Yeah baby, it cannot get better than this. Wood Paneling, ghetto door locks, old furniture. The best thing was... see that air conditioning thing on the left? That was as loud as if I was riding a lawn mower all night! NICE...