Changes in the Air

Andy and I went away the Thursday before Easter for our first ever weekend away without children.  Yes, we've spent an occasional night away from our kids.  They stay at Nana and Papa's, or one of us is away for work overnight, but we've never gone away to just get away.  Andy's been after this for quite some time, and I will admit, it's been quite overdo.  He's always envisioned us on a cruise ship in the Caribbean for at least one week, but the mommy in me can't leave her little ones for that long, nor that far away.  The compromise was Lakeside, Michigan.

On the beach of our hotel.

We stayed at a quaint historic hotel called Lakeside Inn that was built in the 1800s.  It was true to its period time.  We got the feeling of being at a cabin or lodge more so than the beachy feel, but we enjoyed the atmosphere.  I found myself quite happy they hadn't modernized the place.

Looking down the beach.

The shoreline

The hike back up to the hotel...around 115 stairs total.

The hotel is a National and State recognized historic site.

Since they kept with the historic charm this photo above was the most modern technology in the rooms.  For those of you unfamiliar with what that is, it's an AM radio built into the nightstand.  That meant no television, which could have been grueling for Andy, but we found lots of things to go and see around the area, so he didn't miss his TV too much.

This is me standing on the ice at the beach in New Buffalo.

We hit the casino in New Buffalo for about one hour.  Andy was just quitting on one slot machine, when I suggested he not quit yet.  He put his ticket back in, won $195, and then I said, "We're done!"  It's not hitting the huge jackpot, but I love math and know the odds of winning more were not in our favor, so we happily collected our winnings and left.

Three Oaks, MI boasts the home of The Journeyman Distillery.  We ate a light lunch there on Friday and sampled a few of their spirits.  Afterwards we stopped at two wineries, but after sampling at the first winery, I had to pass at the second winery.  I'm too much of a lightweight when it comes to drinking.

Looking into the barrel room at the distillery.  

After all the libations we hit up Michigan City for some retail therapy at the outlet mall.  We made some purchases and headed back to the hotel.  One thing Andy and I loved about our trip away was the food.  Good cuisine, and we NEVER saw a fast food restaurant.  If you are looking for a fun quick get away in southwest Michigan I highly recommend the area we went.  Saturday brought us home to see our sweet daughters faces once again.  We had to get back so we could spend Easter with our family.

Another huge change in our lives, is that Andy has officially made a career change.  Starting in April, he is working for Triple Y Farms as a full time farmer and loving every minute of it.  This is the farm he's been doing the fall harvest for the past two falls.  They offered his a salaried position that was too good to pass up.

Mia with her Build-A-Bear-Workshop monkey that she was able to make courtesy of Uncle Aaron and Aunt Christy's birthday gift to her.

The girls love going to the farm and riding in the tractors with their daddy.  There are definitely times we won't see much of him with a farmer's schedule, but he is happy and we can go pester him at the farm when we miss him.

Some of Andy's new gear he gets to use.  I have no clue, but he could happily tell you all about it.  

A New Budding Artist

So every year since Olivia was in kindergarten she has been chosen for the school art show to have one of her masterpieces on display.  This year she is in a new school, Eastwood and informed me she was selected again.  I never saw an invitation like in years past, then one evening I saw a friend's post on FB of her daughter's artwork at the Art Show for Eastwood.  I then asked Olivia if she was in it, which she still thought she was.  The show was the next evening, and Andy and I would be out of town.  So I took the girls to Great Lakes (they host the art show) to get a drink before school and check it out.  There are so many pieces to look at, but Olivia knew it would be one of two pieces.  She looked in those areas and didn't see it.  I think she was a bit disappointed, but didn't let it bother her.  But guess who was selected for the K-2 Art Show this year?  You guessed it, Mia was.

Posing below her work of art that was selected for the art show.

Mia's art show was this past Friday, April 17th at The Open Door Gallery in Sturgis.  While walking into the gallery we saw Olivia's art teacher.  She asked why we didn't come to the Eastwood Art Show.  She informed me that Olivia was in it.  I told her we stopped and didn't see any of her pieces.  She also told us some fell down before the show so they rehung them that night.  Olivia was happy to learn she was in it, but now I feel bad that we did miss her art show.

Mia and Mason (his work of art on the right)

Mason is Mia's best buddy at school this year.  They are so cute playing together.  They crack me up with the size difference between the two.  He's a sweet kid.

Mason picking up Mia before we headed out for the night.  It was a great show to see all the art talent of our K-2 students in Sturgis.

So now we have not one, but two artistic daughters in the family.

UPDATE: Mia and I were at Great Lakes for a meeting this evening and look what we found!  Great job Olivia!

Look Out World...Mia is 6!

We celebrated Mia's sixth birthday on Sunday, March 29th, two days before the actual "big day."  It was a celebration fit for a superhero.  The Doyle Community Center was hosting a Marvel Comic Super Hero party that Nana graciously took the girls to attend.  Aunt Jen had given Mia this Captain America costume a couple weeks earlier and she was eager to wear it to the event.  It matches her Captain America Build-A-Bear that Aunt Jen took her to get too.

Posing in her new attire.

Aunt Jen couldn't let Olivia go without a costume, so a Wonder Woman costume appeared at our house a few days before the event.  Aunt Jen and Nana sure do spoil our girls, but the girls love them both dearly for it too.

Once the girls returned from their Super Hero party Mia was anxiously awaiting her birthday party guests to arrive and get the festivities under way.

Opening a tractor.

Her new dress from mommy.

Dumbo from mommy too...Baby Mine is our special song.

Olivia hooked her up with sugary goodness.

Nana and Papa bought her a beautiful jewelry box that plays "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."

Papa got her a stash of her own coconut granola bars that she loves to steal of his.

A cowhide looking blanket (No cows were harmed in the making of this blanket) from Aunt Jen and Robert.  She's been sleeping with it every night along with her "Taylor blanket."

Elizabeth and Tina were in attendance.  I'm so glad the Randalls were up on their spring break so they could help Mia celebrate.

Abe and Mia doing who knows what.  I think they were dancing.

The kids being silly.  

It was a terrific party that wore our almost six year old out.  Thanks to all who remembered our Meatball's special day.

A photo taken her last day as a five year old.  Why must time pass so quickly?