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!

July And August...Family, Feasts, the Fourth, and Frivolous (stuff)...

Mom, cousin Tiffany, and me.

 I can't believe I didn't write one post during the month of July.  That can only mean one thing...either I'm TOO OVERLY busy...or...NOTHING AT ALL is happening.

I think it is the first.  Too much going on.

I will warn you...these events are COMPLETELY out of order because I posted the pictures backwards, LOL!

Last weekend, my cousin Tiffany and her family came up to Michigan from Illinois to visit.  On Saturday my sis invite my family and my parents up for a cookout so we could all visit and catch up.

Logan, Raegan, and Ben

 We had a fabulous time.  We had burgers and dogs, fresh veggies, watermelon, chips, and dip.  We all chatted and the kids played and then we took them down to the subdivision's pool later for a dip.

Me and Jess.

 Sisters...friends.

Raegan, my niece, with her "name cookie" that I baked.

 For dessert, my sister had butterscotch chewies, strawberry rhubarb crisp, ice cream, monster cookies...and then I brought along some of my decorated sugar cookies.

Summer Lovin' cookies!

 I went with a summer theme for this platter and made one with everyone's name as well.

You can check out all of my creations on my baking blog here:
http://sweetivyconfections.blogspot.com/

My flowers and patriotic decor

 Like I said, this post is out of order...forgive!

This year instead of planting my old stand-by (petunias)...I went with geraniums and dusty miller.  They have done really well, even though we haven't had much rain.  I've been consistently watering them daily, but they seem to be more forgiving than petunias if I miss a day.  This was the first July 4th in YEARS, that we haven't spent the week at Mackinac Island.  Due to hubby and Evan's work schedules, we had to take a June trip instead of a July trip (BUT WE'RE GOING BACK IN AUGUST!).  Anywho...I put out some patriotic decor since we were home this year.  Some little flags and red/white/blue hearts in the window box.

My garden flag and more flowers!

 Oh!  I also got marigolds!  I almost forgot.  They are doing exceptionally well too!

I put two pots of those on each side of the garage.

The deck

 Last year, we had to have all of the wood trim replaced around the sides of our garage.  That is where I had my bracket/holder for my flag.  Well, we had to take it down during the construction...and...it never got put back up.  Soooo...I now hang my American flag as a banner on the deck during the patriotic holidays.  I added some red/white/blue bows as well.

The front porch

 My hydrangea bush seems to be struggling each year.  A big threatening "weed" or "growth" of some kind took root in there and it is THICK.  I think it may be threatening my poor little hydrangea.  It is too thick to pull out, so I have cut it down to the ground, but it still grows back.  The hydrangeas have been holding their own though and blooming beautifully each year.  I got it as a tiny little plant and now it's quite large!

 Some of you may remember me sharing, I was born in Tennessee, but grew up in Illinois before moving to Michigan at age 12.  When I lived in Illinois, we lived just the other side of the river from St. Louis...so we were always Cardinal fans growing up. (I've since been converted to a Detroit Tiger fan by my hubby, hehe!)  But anyway, my parents were headed back "home" for a family reunion and my aunt asked if I'd make her some cookies (what I do in my "free" time, lol).  These were a fun set to make and I think they enjoyed them.  They are buttery vanilla almond with royal icing.

 Ever since I got my fireplace for Christmas last year, I've enjoyed decorating it for all the holidays and seasons.  After July 4th, I didn't really have a season/holiday to go with.  So I did a "Pure Michigan" theme!

Smitten With The Mitten

Home

 Well...after many years...I finally retired "Rex".  "Rex" was my old cell phone.  The boys called it Rex (as in T-Rex) because it was as "old as a dinosaur" they told me.  I am a "little" late to the party, but I finally got a smart phone.  WOW.  Am I ever having fun, LOL!

And I am in love with my girly little case!  Ha!

Each month when I decorate my mantel, I try to coordinate my hallway chalkboard.  Thus...the "Smitten With The Mitten" (Pure Michigan) chalkboard!

 I am still plugging away at school!

I am almost done with my third term at WGU which will put me just over half way done with my degree!  If there is one thing I can instill in my sons, it's to FINISH COLLEGE immediately after high school.  I am proud of what I am doing in showing them that it's important to finish what you start and that anything is possible!  But I want them to know how important it is for them to do it right when they finish high school.  They see how hard it is for me now...working 55+ hours a week with my daycare business, running my part-time baking business, raising a family...PLUS going to school full time!  But I'm going to show them!  Dreams come true when you work hard!  I know that the day I get my diploma not only will I be excited...but I'm pretty sure I will cry...tears of joy, pure exhaustion, and gratitude.

Well...I think that catches us up 'til now!

We have one more trip to Mackinac we're taking.  I'll be sure to post pics of that when we get back.  I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer!

God bless!