Mackinac Island In June!

 In June, we took a trip to our favorite vacation destination, Mackinac Island.

People don't even have to ask us where we're going on vacation...they know.

Our love for the Island is evident.  Everyone knows.

Some folks have asked us, "Don't you get sick of going there? Don't you want to go somewhere else?"  And they always get a resounding (from all four of us) "NO THANK-YOU!"  Haha!

We stayed for five days and had a wonderful time.

One of my favorite signs on a trail.

 It rained a little, but we never let that dampen our spirits.  "That's what umbrellas are for!" we always say!  We still walk, hike, bike, and do every other thing we feel like doing.  No amount of imperfect weather stops us!

 We walked the entire perimeter of the Island (8 miles) and stopped off at British Landing at the CannonBall for fried pickles.

 I always love seeing all of these rock statues that people stop and build.  The boys stopped and created one during our walk.

 The flowers are always so beautiful on the Island.

 For June, it was actually quite cool (meaning jackets most days and even jeans for me on a few occasions).

 Naturally, being so cool...I didn't think about sunscreen (one of the few days I wore shorts).

So, my knees got a little fried as I was sitting outside by the lake.

 Me and my babes!

The boys on their electronics...

 We stayed at the Harbour View Inn.

 Me and my Natee!

 We always stop off at Sadie's for ice cream (at least once)!

 Gorgeous flowers at Mission Point.

 Jamie and the boys at Sugar Loaf.

 GORGEOUS lilacs!

My guys get sick of me...I stop at EVERY lilac bush to stop and smell them, LOL!

 Jamie and the boys hiking up Rifle Range to see the newly built Fort Holmes.

All of us at Round Island Bar & Grill for dinner.

We had an awesome time and will be headed back later this summer with my parents for a week!  I can't wait!

May Musings...Let's Catch Up...

 Well, as I've mentioned before...since I've started going back to school full time (along with working full time)...the blog has taken a back seat.   But I figure as long as I can get one good post a month and catch up our family life...I'm doing good!  Ha!

We're doing well, busy as always.  Yesterday was National Hug A Cat Day...hence the first picture in the post, LOL!  Katarina is the little princess in our household, so I had to nab a picture of her for the day.

 Yesterday was Nate's last day of school.  It was his last year at Cityside.  Look out ZEHS...here he comes!  He came home with his Celebr8 video (year end photo/video), a President's Education Awards Program certificate, 8th grade graduation certificate, and a Finish Strong t-shirt (logging hours for staying active/physically fit).  He is looking forward to a summer of relaxation.

 In my "spare time" (right), I've been experimenting with some Pinterest ideas I've always wanted to try...namely dry shampoo.  It turned out really well and I really like it!  This one is very simple...corn starch and oatmeal.  I love that it's all natural and inexpensive...and best of all, it works!

A couple weeks ago, mom, Jess, and I had our annual Girl's Day Out.  We love going to thrift stores.  It's like treasure hunting!  We always enjoy lunch out and coffee or smoothies later!

 We stopped in Hobby Lobby while we were out thrifting and they had a clearance on their wall decor.  I got this cute "J" and pink platter for 60% off.  I'm going to spray paint the "J" and use chalkboard paint on the tray and hang both in my kitchen!

 Between all of our thrift store stops, I found an abundance of cookie cutters!  Cookie cutters are my obsession.  I love coming across unusual or vintage ones.  It's actually rare when I find one I don't have.

 I got quite a few cute clothes.  My summer wardrobe expanded!

 In other news, my rose bushes are blooming!

 As you all know, I'm going back to school to get my teaching degree.  My school (WGU) held a little contest (Thank A Teacher) and I wrote a post about my favorite high school teacher...and I was selected as one of the winners!  I won a $30.00 gift certificate to the school store!  I chose this hoodie!

 I have had this beautiful flowering bush in my yard for 15 years.  Each year I post a picture and ask friends if they know what it's called.  No one ever knows what it is.  This year, a friend of mine helped me locate a picture of it online and we discovered it's called a Japanese Snowball!  Unfortunately, the blooms only last about 2 weeks.  But I love it!

 Last year, my mom gave me some Hens & Chicks to plant...they came back!  I love succulents!

 Nate and I have been taking bike rides in the evenings.  I hope to do this all summer long.  It's one of the few forms of exercise I enjoy!

 Tulip Time was a success again this year.  This was Nate's last year marching with the middle school band.  Next year he'll march with the high school band.  Evan said it was weird NOT to be marching after 7 years in the band!

 The parades are always fun and the evenings filled with walking through the tulips and getting fair food are great too!

 There's my Nate!

 Nate once again made the Champion Chix list all 6 terms and was a part of the awards ceremony.  We were very proud of him!

 I've been busy working with my baking business.  I did this graduation gift for our pastor's son.  If you haven't already, be sure to check out my baking blog at:
http://sweetivyconfections.blogspot.com/

We are also on Facebook:
Sweet Ivy Confections

And Twitter:
Sweet_Ivy_Conf

I have a wedding order coming up...400 cake pops and a small cutting cake for the bride and groom!  So this month will be busy!

 Our car lease was up this year...and we are now the proud new owners of a Toyota Rav4!

We really love it!  We are buying instead of leasing this time.

 And...introducing...EVAN'S CAR!  Yes, my baby has his own car now!

He completed his first year at GVSU and has been working full time this summer at Meijer.  He bought it all on his own!  It's a 2005 Toyota Matrix.  He really loves it.  INDEPENDENCE!

Nate had his end of year trip with his class to Mackinac Island.  He had a blast, but they jam pack so much into 24 hours, he said he's really looking forward to our family trip in June when he can do his own thing, LOL!

Well, that about sums up our May.  Hope you're all having an amazing summer!

TTFN!

EARTHQUAKE!

Today we experienced our first earthquake!

Our Saturday started out as any other.  Jamie came home from his night shift and went to sleep.  I sat around in my recliner checking my e-mail and Facebook sipping coffee while the boys were upstairs having a snack.  At around 12:23 p.m. there was a low "rumble" and we felt the entire floor and house shake violently!  I was SCARED...TO...DEATH.  We have never experienced an earthquake.

I jumped out of my chair and said, "What was that?"  Our kitty came running down the stairs with a perplexed look on her face.  Nate said, "Was that an earthquake?"  Evan said, "We don't get earthquakes in Michigan!"  I said, "What was it?"  I thought maybe there was a pipe or something in the ground going to burst!  I don't know.  I have no clue.  I'm looking outside, in the basement, all over the house.  Nate said, "It wasn't a truck or a plane or the wind!"  Evan said, "Maybe it's the military!"  Let me tell you, we were coming up with every scenario EXCEPT earthquake, because WE JUST DON'T GET EARTHQUAKES IN MICHIGAN!

FACEBOOK!

I said, "Let me check Facebook!"  Sure enough, friends from all over the state had felt it.  Kalamazoo, Galesburg, Vicksburg, Lansing, Detroit, Grand Rapids...ALL OVER THE STATE.

At least I knew I wasn't going crazy.  At least all my family and friends experienced it too.

Turns out, there was a 4.2 earthquake experienced by all of us here in Michigan.

I tell you, it scared the crud out of me!  My heart was racing, my whole being was shaking, and I was praying!  Thankfully it was mild and no one was hurt and nothing was damaged.

I know folks in California experience things like this everyday and it's a normal everyday occurrence for them.  But for us here in Michigan, this was a HUGE deal.  It was scary.

I am grateful we are all fine.

Now there's one more item I can cross off my life experiences!

Ha!

As promised...the Mitten Bakers Cookie Gathering!

Last Saturday was the Mitten Bakers Cookie Gathering.

The Mitten Bakers is an online group I belong to, made up of bakers from mostly Michigan, but also northern Ohio, northern Indiana, and a few from Canada.  The administrators of our group planned and put together this gathering within just a few short months and let me tell you...it was FABULOUS!  A full day of classes, contests, raffles, prizes, swag bags, food, and friendship!  The swag bags were FILLED with amazing baking items from awesome sponsors!  It was so awesome spending the day with others who share my love of all things sugar!  We had six classes/demos...everything from airbrushing, stenciling, royal icing transfers, hand-painting on cookies, stamping on cookies, and cake pops.  You can read my FULL post about the day on my baking blog:
Sweet Ivy Confections.

The flower cookie above was from our airbrushing class. 

 This super mom cookie was from our stenciling class.

 This cookie was my first attempt at painting on cookies.

Clearly, this isn't my strong point...yet.

Unfortunately my airbrushed cookie didn't make it home in one piece.

All of our airbrushed flowers.

We had a Super Hero themed contest & my friend entered this cookie w/ my photo as a little private joke between us.

This was my entry in the contest! Super Cookier!

 It was an amazing day learning new things and hanging out with some of the most talented women in the state and surrounding areas who share my love of sugar!  We all made so many new friends!  Don't forget to read the full post on my baking blog!

Below are a few things I've been working on since the gathering...practice makes perfect!

Thanks for reading!

TTFN!

Easter and beyond...

 We had a good Easter.

It doesn't matter how old we get...we always dye eggs.

It's just one of those holiday traditions that I don't think you need to "grow out of".

Kind of like carving jack-o-lanterns...everyone should do it...no matter your age.

 We did "glitter eggs" this year.  I had bought this kit on clearance last year after Easter.

It was a good concept, except the glitter didn't really adhere that well.

What did, was pretty.

 The boys didn't want their pictures taken...

And they were acting all goofy.

I promised I wouldn't post them on Facebook...

But...

 I didn't promise I wouldn't post them on the blog.

It's ok boys, no one major reads my blog anyway.

 So ham it up...

We went to church and out to Logan's for dinner on Easter.

It was a good day...and thankfully, no snow. :)

Kitty is doing well.

Making her usual blog appearance.

The other day, for the first time in the six months we've owned her, she discovered the washing machine..go figure.  She was completely intrigued.  Crazy girl.

In other news...

-I passed my science exam/class!  YAY!  I've finished my first whole year at WGU and am moving right along swiftly.  I am now 40% done with my degree.  Only a couple more general education classes and then I'll be moving on to all education classes, yes!

-Saturday I'm going to my cookie gathering/convention.  It will be a day filled with some of the most amazing bakers.  Fun, food, laughter, classes, raffles, prizes, contests, swag bags, and more.  I can't wait!

-It's finally getting warmer out.  I need to make some time to go out and weed the flower beds/landscape.  Pretty soon it will be time to plant the annuals!

I think that wraps things up for now.

Will be sure to give an update after the cookie gathering Saturday!

Hope you all are having a great spring!

MJ