I will start off with first apologizing for the obscene amount of photos included in this post. It will be more pictures from our trip up north this year, than words. I actually didn't take my camera out much on this trip, so many things are not captured on film, like our property, the parade, fireworks, John and Esther's improved motel (new owners and this year they got the old owners' 4 bedroom house right on the water), Dad and Patty's boat ride and dinner at their house, the Shipwreck Museum in Alpena (and we even went twice), Mackinac City, miniature golf, bumper cars, Tawas, or actual photos of Esther, Dad, and Patty (sorry guys). We started by heading up to Alpena, on Saturday, June 27th to which Aunt Jen and Robert surprised us and showed up at our property. We all had a nice dinner at the 19th Hole before they headed out for the night. They were up north for an auction and snuck over after it was done. The girls were sure surprised. Sunday morning the four of us headed to the UP to see Tahquamenon Falls. After the falls we went up to White Fish Point and the shipwreck museum. We stayed at a small quaint motel called Freighter's View on Lake Superior in Paradise, MI. We had dinner at an overpriced, but nice little restaurant (it was pretty much the only option). Below are pictures from our trip to the UP.
White Fish Point pictures:
Olivia in front of the bell from the Edmund Fitzgerald
The girls were looking for heart shaped rocks for Jackie and Bill.
Mia sporting her mosquito net that we bought for both girls. We managed a trip without having to take her to the doctor's! I highly recommend the mosquito nets.
Mia outside our motel in Paradise.
Olivia outside the motel
On the journey back to Alpena the following day we stopped and ate and shopped in Mackinac City briefly before stopping to see the quarry in Rogers City.
Mia and Andy mesmerized by the huge heavy equipment being used in the quarry.
Mia did get two mosquito bites between her eyes on her forehead that swelled pretty good. I tried to get a picture here, but she was uncooperative and didn't want me to take a picture of it. I can't say that I blame her. I wouldn't want my picture taken either.
Andy more than anyone was thrilled to find another access to the quarry. These pictures are from the harbor side view of the quarry. They allow the public back in this area during daylight hours.
My loves!
We also all took a try at racing gokarts when we got back into Alpena. Mia rode with Andy, and Olivia was overly cautios (slow), so I naturally won the race.
John and Esther arrived in Alpena on Wednesday, and Thursday brought in Jen and Robert, along with a surprise trip from NY by Aunt Doris and Gary. They arrived after 1:00 A.M. and shocked Esther. We all had so much fun together.
We all went to Ocqueoc Falls together on Friday. I didn't take my camera out while we traversed the falls with me this time. I'm getting klutzier in my old age and didn't want to chance it, so there are only a few pictures from that day. Of course, Andy took everyone to the quarry in Rogers City on the way home and had to show them the new view we found.
I love this picture of Doris and Gary.
Sunday, July 5th Andy came to pick the girls and I up from church after a great sermon by Rev. Paul Lance, and were surprised to find Aunt Jen and Robert came along for the ride. We all squished into Andy's truck and went to the boat museum, Stoney Acres Winery, and then Rockport State Park. I hadn't been to Rockport since I was still wetting my pants, so it was a fun place to rediscover with everyone.
Andy and Olivia way up on a rock pile. My camera was zoomed in as far as it could go because they were off in the far distance.
The three photos of Mia are some of my new favorites. She was just playing on the old abandoned pier picking daisies unaware of my taking pictures.
I think I'm going to get this one blown up and hang in the house.
Andy and his girls.
We all ventured atop the hug rock piles together. It's quite a sight to see. Picture sand dunes in your head, then turn the sand into grey rocks, and you've got a decent idea painted in your mind.
Aunt Jen and Mia making one of her silly faces.
I love this one of Robert assisting Mia too. Robert has become one of her best buddies.
One morning Andy about had a heart attack when he couldn't get this shoe on because he felt something inside it. It was a huge spider. Below is not the same one, but another large spider of the same that we found a couple days later. She was about 3 inches long.
Because gokarts (or go go carts as Mia refers to them) were such fun the first time around, we decided to take everyone out there. We had nine of us out there racing and it was a blast. Nana took pictures while we raced. (I don't have any of her pictures on here.) Papa was leading, but got a flat tire and was out of the race. They promised him a free pass to go again. When we finished that up, we decided bumper cars sounded like fun and made Esther partake as well. I think all 10 of us had sore cheeks from laughing so hard. Family bumper cars is great therapy! Papa couldn't race alone, so Robert and Andy along with Papa all got to race in the extra fast gokarts, while Jen, was in a regular gokart and Olivia took Mia for a trip.
Doris smooching on Gary while we waited for the last gokart race to start.
My two girls lives in the hands of my nine year old. Thank goodness she's my super cautious one.
The crazy men racing each other.
John again had the fastest car and won the race.
Papa passing his granddaughters. Notice he's wearing a hat in this picture.
Notice he is not wearing a hat in this picture, but you can see Andy trying to catch it.
My girls returning safely.
Papa the winner!
It was another memorable trip that we are so thankful we could share with so many family members. Hopefully next year, even more family can come and partake!
We headed out for home on Monday, July 6th and stopped for a visit in East Tawas to see Aunt Judy, Uncle Mike, and Aunt Ruth. I was thrilled to see my cousins Amy, JC, his wife Michele, their daughters Leah and Lindsey, my cousin Meg and her daughter Sarah all were there for a visit. After a pleasant, but all to quick visit we were on our way home and safely made it back to Sturgis later that night. Alpena will always hold a special place in my heart, but it was good to return home.
