Summer In Review...

 P.A.T.H.E.T.I.C.

Yes.  You have every right to call me a pathetic blogger.

I got to looking and I have only posted two...TWO...posts for 2016!!!

That's right!

But...I'm making each post "combo" posts...catching you up, months at a time.

Forgive me?

Good.

Let's start with the first picture!

In June, we celebrated Evan's birthday.

Two decades.

How in the world did that happen?

He is such a blessing.

He's a junior in college now.

Holds down a job.

Bought a car.

Proud much?

Yeah...just a little. ;)

 Not sure if I shared this one.

But I made a fairy garden!

I love it!

And it was so much fun to create, I want to make more!

 We also went to hubby's company picnic held at the fairgrounds.

 We had a great time.

They had a catered picnic with bbq pulled pork, chicken, hotdogs, cole slaw, chips, melon, corn on the cob, cookies, and pop.

We played bingo for prizes (didn't win)...it was a lot of fun.

 They gave us fair dollars for yummy fair food!

 We're not much for rides...

 But we had a blast looking at all of the animals...

Cows, horses, donkeys, pigs, bunnies, chickens, roosters, turtles, goats, sheep, camel.

It was a hoot.

 Then there was the photo booth, LOL!

We could NOT get it right, haha!

We barely fit in and none of us were looking at the camera at the same time.

It was hilarious.

 The boys and I went to Coast Guard Fest in Grand Haven with my sis and niece.

 My nephew is in a bucket drum band and is amazing!

They performed each night.

 In August, the four of us went back to Mackinac Island.

We spent one night in Mackinaw City and toured the retired Icebreaker Mackinaw, which is something we'd never done.

 It was very interesting...

...and a lot of fun!

 It rained that afternoon and evening...so the boys didn't get their beach time in.

So they settled for the indoor pool!

Fun!

Next day, we headed for the island...
Me and the hubs at the Grand phone booth!

Relaxing after a long day of hiking...

 We spent one day on the island biking.

We took the 8 mile perimeter.

Stopped at British Landing for fried pickles at the Cannon Ball.

 We had some drizzle on one day on the island, but we don't let it stop us!

We grab our umbrellas and keep going!

 As always, the flowers were amazing.

 Evan has always wanted to kayak.

So he and Nate took a one hour tour with Great Turtle tours.

They had a blast.

I was too chicken.

But after I saw some 8 year olds doing it alone (with the guide)...I decided I better get my booty out there next time!

And lastly, we celebrated Nate's 16th birthday.

My sweet boy is a sophomore this year!

He's in no hurry to drive and tells me he's going to live in New York City so he can just take a taxi everywhere, LOL!

Love that boy!

Well today is Labor Day...which means it's Back To School for all Michigan kids tomorrow!

I hope you all had an amazing summer!

TTFN!

Mackinaw City/Mackinac Island...July 2016

The boys humored me with a photo by the bear at the Crossings.

 Last year, for the first time in a LONG time, we didn't go to Mackinac Island over July 4th.

We missed it so much!

So we knew we had to go back this 4th!

We spent our first night of our vacation in Mackinaw City.

On day 1, we spent a little time shopping at the Crossings and along Main St.

Then we spent a little time at the beach.

The boys love going out into the lake and playing in the waves.

I enjoy just sitting in a lounge chair catching a few rays.

I did pretty good and only managed a few little streaks of sunburn where I missed applying my SPF, haha.

 You have to stop at Mickey's for ice cream while in the City.

Only $3.00 for a HUGE "single" dip, which is really TWO HUGE scoops of two different flavors on an enormous waffle cone!

 Next day, we woke up and caught an early ferry to the Island.

We stayed at the Main Street Inn.

It's lovely.

Clean, friendly, and many amenities!

 We always enjoy the morning coffee and cucumber water in the hallway.

 Our room was spacious, clean, and comfortable.

 And each night, you get turn-down service with a fudge treat from Joann's!

 Another favorite of ours, on a hot day, is a stop at Lucky Bean for smoothies.

Personally I like either the mango or the lemonade smoothie.

Jam and Nate on the Arch Rock staircase.

 We hiked all over.

And made stops at all of our favorite places, like Arch Rock...

 And Sugar Loaf...

 And Ft. Holmes...

My niece Raegan and I at Arch Rock.

 On Monday, my sister and her family came up for a few days!

 My sissy and I at Arch Rock.

 We had dinner together on the 4th at The Pink Pony.

 We took our favorite Fireworks Cruise aboard Shepler's Ferry.

I always pack glow bracelets and necklaces for us, haha!

 My happy little fam aboard the boat!

 They take you under the Mighty Mac bridge.

It's a fun experience before the fireworks begin.

Raegan, Me, and Jess...

 Another night, we all played golf together!

 Golfing...

We all stacked some rocks near the lake...that was fun.

And we had a family game night.

What a riot!

We had a great time with perfect weather.

Can't wait to go back!

What has your family been doing this summer?

Mackinac Island Trip #2...(long time, no post!)

 I know, I know.

I've become one of those bloggers who I always complain about...

They just disappear with no explanation.

I went on a little hiatus...from blogging, Facebook, all social media...pretty much...LIFE.

In August, we went on trip #2 to Mackinac Island with my parents as a little "end of summer celebration"...however, while there, we received a phone call that pretty much turned our life upside down for 3 months.  After 3 months of pure h---...I am praising God because...

IT. IS. OVER. 

Hallelujah!

But anyway...back to our trip!

Above is a picture I took on the way up.

I always try to get a picture of this tree and somehow miss it.

We refer to it as "Shoe Tree".

As you can see, there are a million shoes that people have randomly thrown up on it, LOL!

me and mom in Mackinac City...and a few views of the Mackinac Bridge...

 We were so blessed and excited that my parents came with us for the week!

 I don't usually buy souvenirs...but I found this adorable ring-watch at a cute little store for $1.00!  How could I pass it up?  Ha!

 I decided that next spring/summer, I'm going to build a Fairy Garden.

I think I'm going with a "Pure Michigan" theme.

So I started it off with purchasing a little "turtle" (Mackinac Island) made of shells.

 This year was the first year we ever visited the Peace Garden on the Island.

It is really beautiful!

 We celebrated my Nate's b-day while there!

Happy 15th Natee!

we went to the  "1852 Grill Room" for dinner for Nate's b-day...fancy!

 Playing cards one evening...

 Up at Surrey Hill...

 The flowers were AMAZING this year!!!

 We never have "plans" when on the Island.  We just start out each day and wander.

We love hiking through the forest.

The trees and greenery are amazing.

The newly constructed Ft. Holmes is awesome!

 We had so much fun with mom and dad.

And with the stress of the phone call we received early on in the trip...their prayers, support, and encouragement really helped us maintain "some" sense of fun on the trip despite the news.

 If you've never been to the Grand Hotel Horse Museum, you simply must go.  It's actually free too!  It has so many old fashioned carriages to look at.

I can't believe it's already November and it took me this long to get an August post out, LOL!

I'll try to get some more Sept/Oct updates out soon as well!

Hope you are having a blessed Autumn!