Friday, May 30, 2014

Sault Ste. Marie & Tahquamonon Falls

 
Soo Locks
 
We stayed our third night in Sault Ste. Marie.  On Sunday morning we found a small branch to go to for church.  It took us awhile to find the building because it shared with other organizations.  There were twenty people there.  They were bummed that we weren't moving into the area.  Blake said that we should move there because they wanted us too.
 
After church we went to see the Soo Locks.  This is where big boats drop between Lake Superior and Lake Huron everyday.  The water is higher between these Lakes so they built different locks to help lower the boat and send it on its way. 
 
One fun fact I read in their visitors center was that if you took all the water from the five great lakes and spread it across the United States, the U.S. would be covered in almost 10 feet of water. 
 
 
 
 
Upper and Lower Tahquamonon Falls
 
I have decided that I love waterfalls.  I remember feeling this way when we went to Niagra Falls.  Something about them is magical.  There were two parts to these falls and we walked along trails to see them.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pasties from Muldoons in Munising
 
We had heard that we had to try pasties (pah-stees) while we were in the upper peninsula.  Someone said they are like chicken pot pies without the pot.  I guess a long time ago people would take them to work and put them in their coats to keep themselves warm as well as the food.
 
 
 
 
They tasted fine but I wasn't wowed with them.  At the end of the trip Janie informed me that the worst part of the whole vacation was when we stopped to eat these.  She wasn't a fan.

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Mackinac Island

On Saturday morning we took a ferry over to Mackinac Island.  The perimeter of the island is 8 miles and there are not any cars on it--just horse drawn carriages and bikes.  We decided to rent bikes so we could see all around the island.  We had one bike with the tag along for Blake to ride on, and another bike with the carrier to pull Janie and Ty.  Even though it was heavier to pull the younger two, that seat was more comfortable so that is what I rode.  Any time there was a slight incline I couldn't pull it and had to get off and walk it up.  Eric and I would switch occasionally.  I would just sit on the uncomfortable seat and Blake would pedal and push both of us.  We had the bikes for four hours.  It was fun but kind of a lot of work.  Ty finally fell asleep which was helpful (because then he wasn't pulling Janie's hair.)  Janie sang Frozen to everyone as we rode by.
 
 
 
 
 
Behind them is the bridge that connects Michigan to the upper peninsula.  We crossed it later that night.
 
 
 
 Here is the Grand Hotel.  I wanted to go inside but you have to pay ten dollars to go in.  I stopped on a somewhat steep slope to take a quick picture.  Eric and Blake were already down the hill.  A nice man came over to take the picture, and then my bike fell down and broke off the carrier.  It was so embarrasing--I'm big pregnant pulling these kids, trying to take a picture and not doing a good job of it.  Then a couple of his friends came over and helped hook the bike back to the carrier.  Eric walked up the hill laughing.
 
 
 Fudge is a famous treat made on the island.  There is a little downtown area and every other store was making/selling fudge.  We tried some samples and then bought some--German chocolate, chocolate cookies, and turtle flavored.
 

Hotel in Mackinaw City

 
 
 
 
 
 
The second night we stayed in Macinaw City so that we could go to the island the next day.  When we got there we had dinner and then headed to a popcorn place with tons of different flavors we had heard about.  One of their top five flavors was dill pickle.  It tasted like it and was interesting.  We sampled a bunch--apple pie, fruit salad, caramel...  We ended up buying caramel apple, oreo, and reesus peanut butter popcorn.  They were pretty good.  Not as good as Chicago's Garretts Popcorn though.
 
The kids were so excited to swim in the pool and go in the water toy area.  There was a big bucket at the top that filled with water and would tip once it became too heavy.  I wish could've taken a picture of Janie after the first dump.  Poor girl--I've never seen her face like that.  She was so terrified and didn't ever go back down any slides.  But she did love the pool (with a life vest and an inner tube).  And Ty liked swimming with Eric.  And Blake was in heaven all around.  I just watched and took pictures but it was so hot in that room I could barely stand it.  So when Ty was done I took him back to bathe him.  And then he ate his popcorn while watching a show.

Sleepy Bear Dunes

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Bug.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Eric and I agreed that this was the favorite spot on our trip.  It was just a huge hill of sand to hike but it was so beautiful that day.  The sky was so blue.  It was fun to watch Blake go up and down over and over again.  There were bugs here and there in the sand.  Most were on their backs and unable to get up so they couldn't move.  But once Janie saw them she couldn't handle the dunes anymore. 
 
After we climbed the first hill, there was another hill.  We were told that you would have to climb six hills until you were able to see the water.  So we drove through a scenic tour instead and that is wherewe took pictures by Lake Michigan.  And that was amazing to see such blue water everywhere.

Northern Michigan Vacation

 
 
We did it!  We went on a family vacation and traveled northern Michigan.  I planned the whole thing and did a good job if I do say so myself (for not knowing a thing about the areas).  We stayed five nights in hotels and hopped from one place to the next.  It was a lot of work getting all our luggage in and out of each hotel, getting the kids calm enough at night to fall asleep, getting them ready each day, etc., but we got into a good rhythm and Eric and I were pros by the end.  I took over 400 pitures so here we go.

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Updates


Eric

Eric took 3 days off of work to go on a golfing trip in Traverse City with some friends a couple of weeks ago.  He got to golf 90 holes and was in heaven despite the cold temperatures.  It was so cold that at the end of each day he couldn’t feel his hands. 

He switched spots at work and is now doing finance support for the Lowe’s sales channel.  

He has a recent new calling of ward clerk at church so his Sunday morning starts with 6a.m. meetings at the church.

He has been on a kick for the past 4 weeks and wakes up at 6am to exercise and read his scriptures.  I’m so proud of him because when I hear that alarm goes off I shudder at the thought of getting out of bed.

Katie

Here is a fun story.  A few weeks ago I went to the grocery store with Janie and Ty.  I brought lunch for them to eat in the cart because I had major shopping to do.  The cart was full and I still had to buy all our produce.  Ty was eating something and had turned and was facing all of the food in the cart.  He gagged on his lunch and then threw up his whole lunch all over the food in the cart.  I stood there frozen as I watched his puke work its way down all of my groceries until it hit the floor.  It was also all over his hands and jacket.  I didn’t have any wipes.  Walked to Subway and there was not anyone behind the counter to give me napkins.  Ty kept saying “sticky.”  It was so gross.  But I just kept shopping.  Grabbed what we needed and asked for paper towels at check out.  I cleaned everything off as I put it on the belt. 

I took Ty’s clothes off and I put him in his car seat.  Got home and unloaded all our groceries.  It was past nap time and Ty had just barely fallen asleep.  I tried to transfer him to bed but his eyes popped open and he started saying “Eat!”  He was hungry from losing all his lunch.  But I knew that if he didn’t get right to bed then he wouldn’t get a nap before we got Blake from school.  So I got him dressed and put him in his bed.  He was screaming more than he ever has.  I was desperate and resorted to his pacifier which we had just recently stopped giving him.  I asked him if he wanted his binky and he immediately stopped crying and dropped down to his bed.  Pacifier worked wonders and he fell right asleep.  I love pacifiers.  He is doing great without it now though.

I am almost 34 weeks pregnant.  I am very excited to meet this little guy.  My  complaints include sore legs from leg cramps at night.  And poor sleep due to waking up at least 4x each night to go to the bathroom.

While pregnant I started watching I Love Lucy while walking on the treadmill.  I try to walk two miles a day.  I just completed all 5 seasons of I Love Lucy and am so sad to be done—that is about 100 episodes!  I would smile each time.  What a classic show.

I have been working with the young women at church for most of our time living in Michigan.  I was just released and will now teach a primary class.  I will miss the girls but was relieved to not have as much responsibility.

I have been volunteering in Blake’s class about every other week.  I go for about 45 minutes and worki with small reading groups in the hallway.  Blake always jumps up from whatever he was doing to come and give me a big hug when I walked in the room.  One time the class was eating a snack and he grabbed a Ritz cracker to offer to me. 


Blake

Blake has 9 more days of Kindergarten!  I can’t believe his first year is almost done.  He has loved school and has made good friends.  He has become a good little reader.  His teacher says that he has been a joy to have in her class.   He is very obedient and wants to please.  I am so proud of him. 

He is loving soccer and baseball.

 
Janie

Janie is in the habit of getting a small treat after lunch.  She will ask me- “Mom can I have a “tree”? (treat)   or “Can we make coo?” (cookies).  She is using code so that Ty doesn’t catch on to what we are talking about.

Started playing the game Guess Who? And loves it.  She is getting pretty good at it.  I love having a couple hours of quiet time with just me and her each day.  We play a game, read books, or bake together.  She loves to watch Caillou every day at 1:30 and lately I crash on the couch.

She just finished her little preschool.  She loved going and is excited and always talking about starting real preschool in the fall.
She quotes/sings frozen often and gets really into it.  I love it.
 
Ty

He calls stars “up-uhs.”  From Twinkle Twinkle—“Up above the world so high.”

His language is taking off.  He mostly uses two word combinations now.  I’ve heard some 3 word combos too. 

Eric wanted to stop the pacifier so we don’t have two kids with them at the same time.  He has adjusted well.  Has been about a month now.

One day he was cranky and I told him to be happy or he would go to bed.   Then it was really time to take a nap and as I put him in he frantically said “Happy!” over and over trying to convince me he would be good if I let him stay up.  Shouldn’t have used that one.

He has started hitting and throwing things all over the place.  This mostly happens when Blake is around and gets him hyper.  Those two boys…they get wild.

Ty refers to my belly as “big.”  He will point to mine and say “big belly” and then point to his and say “little belly.”

He says applesauce for octopus.  There is a character on the game Guess Who? That has a red beard that I guess looks like an octopus because he always finds him and says “applesauce.”

He fills in the blanks to songs and is starting to say prayers.

He also loves Frozen.  And is always saying “Olaf, summer, Elsa, Anna.”

Will say “Welcome” (instead of thank you) when I help him with something.

When he wants me to play puzzles with him he will say “puzzle me.”

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

The Cat Came Back

 
 
 
 
 
A couple of years ago we had a cat visitor in our backyard.  I have pictures of Blake and Janie watching it out the window.  And here it was again, this time with Janie and Ty.  I even think that Janie's hair was done the same.  I was trying to get Ty's funny reaction whenever the cat would look at him.  He would squeal and jump around and it was so cute.  "Hi Cat.  Hi Cat."