Nephew #1 turns 10

 My sister makes the coolest cakes.

Currently, my 10-year-old nephwe has a snapping turtle in his room.

Its tiny.

So...his cake said 'Snappy Birthday'.

And we got to watch him open presents.

The pile was a little smaller this year.

{21July2012}

The Last Day (in Michigan's U.P.)

I was up early on Sunday.

Big surprise, right?

But it was worth it.

 To see the sun rise over the lake.

Hear the seagulls cooing instead of sqwaking.

Enjoy the quiet with my Bible.

And a good friend.

 After meets, 4 of us headed west and one headed south.

The westward-bound got a good view of the bridge,

so we stopped to wave Mex on.

Well, three of us did.

Shax just got attacked by the gulls.

They must like M&M's

and be able to recognize the package.

She ran screaming back to the car.

{15July2012}

Olympic knit-a-long

Serendipity Yarn Shoppe

is hosting an Olympic knit-a-long.

Abi of High Prairie Fibers

worked her fingers off to make all the yarn

for this knit-a-long.

So.

She was crowned queen of the night.

There were 36 knitters in the little shop.

It was insane.

It was fun!

And the projects are already showing up in the shop!

{26July2012}

Mackinac Island

Next on our UP agenda:

Mackinac Island

 We didn't Hightail It to the island,

but we did get there!

One of the first things I noticed as we were pulling up

were all the horses waiting for goods and passengers.

 We sauntered to the Grand Hotel,

but decided not to pay the price for the buffet and inside view.

 So instead, the gals figured out what we were going to do.

They decided on the ride around the island.

My bike had a pink flower.

Sooo appropriate!

Obligatory bikes-and-horses photo.

And, at the end of the day, we got fireworks!

Overall, another good (and full) day in the lives of the travelling.

{14July2012}

Pictured Rocks Cruising

Our last part of the day was a

sunset cruise along the Pictured Rocks.

 We learned all about the different minerals

that leach out of the sandstone

to cause these 'pictures.'

 We were inspired by the kayakers.

 Amazed by the colors.

 Over and over again.

 We saw arches.

 Squeaked into a cove...

the boat BARELY fit!

 Saw THE tree with its roots crossing over to the mainland.

And were treated to a Comfort Inn sunset.

Oh, what a beautiful day.

{13July2012}

Pictured Rocks hiking

WARNING:

There will be a lot of photos.

In da U.P. we played outside a lot.

Mex, Jenx, Jax and I pretty much moved at the same speed,

taking a photo here and there.

But Shax was a bit faster.

(She didn't take the pictures her dad asked for.)

 So, here we are, with me behind the camera--

and Shax way out in front.

 First stop was a pretty waterfall.

"ooooooohhhhh!"

 Second stop was a nice lighthouse.

"ahhhhh!"

We chose to ignore the warning signs about the

vast quantities of biting flies on this hike.

We may have regretted this.

But we sallied on.

The beach was rocky and sandy in turns.

Some of these rocks are agates. 

They were really pretty.

"eeeeee!" 

 Shax walked so fast

she got to sit amist the stream and wait

for the rest of us for a good long while.

But the middle of the stream deterred the flies.

So it was all fine with her.

 Next stop was a pretty overlook.

We were amazed by the water color.

 I thought it looked like the Caribbean,

so I tried to jump in.

And they all laughed at me.

Thanks for making this a fabulous trip, ladies!

{13July2012}

Tahquamenon Falls

I went with some of my great friends to the

Upper Peninsula of Michigan a few weeks ago.

Things have been busy since, so I'm just now

looking at photos.

And re-living this trip.

It was gorgeous.

First hike on Thursday was at Tahquamenon Falls.

Its highly recommended.

Beautiful scenery, semi-treacherous paths,

(we imagined bears among all the raspberries lining the path)

woods, water...what more could we have asked for?

 The Lower Falls

 One of the not-so-drunken boardwalks.

 The Upper Falls

The 'work out' stairs.

I think they were worth it, even if you don't work out.

{12July2012}