Mirror Images

Children are so enthralled to look upon themselves in the mirror.  I caught Mia doing this a few weeks back and remembered some of my favorite photos of Olivia when she was much younger doing the same in this mirror.  I thought it was the perfect opportunity to snap some similar pictures of Mia.  Of course Mia's expressions are much sillier than Olivia because that's our meatball, Mia's personality.


Mia, July 2012


Olivia in July of 2008
 

It also got me thinking about how looking at your children, you can see so much of yourself in them.  Sometimes the good and even the bad.  I hear Olivia's word when she's frustrated or yelling at Mia and it sounds just like me when I get upset with the girls.  It makes me cringe, but at least I am aware and working on breaking both Olivia and myself of that habit.  Mia's goofy personality is so me as well.  Her defiance and wanting to do things her way are tell tale signs of my childhood, although from what I hear, Andy's too.  Both girls are so unique from one another, which I love.  They can fight terribly one minute, but be so sweet the next.  Most of the time they truly look out for each other and it melts my heart.  I don't know who they got that from, because I don't recall ever being that sweet with my sister in my adolescent years, and I know Andy wasn't either.  It's a joy to watch them grow and develop their amazing personalities and see reflections of both Andy and myself in each of them.


 

Let's try our grumpy face on for size.

More Work on the Barn

We headed up to Alpena again for a short weekend to get as much done as we could.  Both Andy and I were elated to see concrete on the ground.  This trip we were minus one child.  Olivia went with Nana and Papa to a time Share Resort in Illinois for a long weekend, so we just had Mia to be our helper.  Per Mia's request we got up early and went in to "Big Boy" (spoken in a deep long drawn out voice) for breakfast and then back to the barn to start working.  Andy's main goal was to get the roof all on and tarpapered.  I wanted to do something and feel useful, so I went through the quick crash course of Andy Feyes' Wall Building 101.  During the beginning of my lessons I thought it was going to get ugly, but I bit my tongue and everything went smoothly there after.

Mia really was a great helper.  She would quickly get me screws, my hammer, drill, or fubar whenever I needed them.  She wasn't usually too far from my side building walls, unless she was napping.  I was hesistant on how it would be with only one child.  Granted with two we get a lot more fighting, but they entertain each other so well.  I was worried that Mia would command so much time and attention, but she was perfect.

My first finished wall.  The door is on the far left, with a window framed in towards the center.  Not too bad for my first time.

At the end of day one, we ran into town for some dinner.  Andy of course told Mia she could pick where we ate since she'd been so well behaved, so of course her answer was, "Big Boy."  Alpena amazingly can support two Big Boys and is only the size of Sturgis, so we opted to go to the other Big Boy this time.

Andy is almost done sheeting the roof!

My big helper Mia!

Andy manually carried each sheet of plywood up the roof.  He's beat from all the physical labor, but wouldn't let me help much with the roof, aside from climbing up and down the ladder to take him tools.  Which is probably a smart choice since I am accident prone and couldn't carry a sheet of plywood up to save my life. 

The end result of our short weekend consists of two 24 foot walls up, one of which has subsiding on it, and a completed roof with tar paper.  Also, it meant a late drive home and getting home after midnight, but we feel like we accomplished a lot in a short time.  Two weeks until our next trip up.

Barn Raising Good Times

We spent close to two weeks up north at our property affectionately dubbed, Patient Acres.  The plan was to build a barn/garage.  We were relying on my overly busy cousin Bari to help, so we didn't get near as far as planned, but are pleased with the progress thus far.


The end of day one after Andy chopped down quite a few trees and I cleared the brush away.

Bari on day 2 clearing out stumps.

Both girls were ecstatic to ride in the backhoe with Bari.  He has a way with kids.  Watching him interact with my girls transported me back to when I was a young girl and he acted the same with me.

Mia has no problem getting dirty, but Olivia on the otherhand does.  This trip was perfect for her.  She delved in digging in a giagantic dirt pile.  It doesn't show well enough in this photo, but she was absolutely filthy from head to toe.  Andy didn't even want her in his truck, and I didn't want to make mud in my dad and Patty's washing machine with her dirty jeans.  The solution: throw her in the bed of the truck and drive down the rarely traveled dead end road to the association lot and throw her in the get clean.  I of course was slightly apprehensive putting my six year old in the bed of a truck, even though we did it all the time in my youth.  Either Andy of I had to ride in the back with her if I was going to allow this.  Andy won, and I drove.  Of course as we turn out of our little subdivision onto the road to the association lot, I see a police car heading towards us.  I quickly turn and try and get Andy and Olivia to duck.  Andy quickly sees my gesture and hides Olivia, but remains up himself.  Finally, after my repeated hand motions and screaming he realizes what I am saying and ducks himself too.  Thank goodness.  That would be just my luck, such a short trip at low speeds, but I would get pulled over and ticketed.  So glad I wasn't. 

Olivia jumping in to rinse off.  She was a trooper the entire time and thoroughly enjoyed bathing with her clothes on in the lake.  Mia however was our naked jaybird the entire trip.  She saw Olivia in the lake and immediately disrobed and tried getting in herself.  She also pulled her underwear down in Arby's, the museum, and countless other places that escape my mind at the moment.  Usually it was because she had to go to the bathroom.  We are working on keeping her pants on until she's in the bathroom now.

Here's the end of day 4.  We got all the poles set.
The next few days consisted of digging a 12 inch trench around the perimeter to put in rat board.  That was the most excruciating part for me, and of course we picked the hottest day to do it.  Our soil is a web of roots, some very strong, large roots.  I'd plunge the shovel into the soil, only to have it feel like I hit concrete because of a root.  So Andy made me swing an ax chop all the roots out.  I was one sore woman the end of that day.  I was sweaty, dirty, exhausted, and lightheaded.  Andy didn't enjoy the task anymore than me, but seemed very amused at the utter exhaustion that had overcome me.  He thought it gave me a good taste of what he deals with daily.  After rat boards came headers and we were ready for concrete, and our delivery of materials.

Saturday was the day most of our materials were delivered, minus the trusses, which were scheduled for Tuesday.

Guess what, Tuesday came, and Andy was gitty as all get out watching this huge truck with a wide load sign and lead car try and back down our narrow winding road to drop the trusses off.  We're amazed he got them back to the point he did.  Super nice guy who lives in Angola, IN.  One heck of a truck driver for sure.

Well now the trusses are here, but in the middle of our road, that yes, one person lives down, so now we had to get them out of the road.  Not too much of a problem, right?  Afterall they only weigh 526 lbs each.  So we attempted to move them using the tractor to pull them, but it didn't work so well, so Andy and I physically moved them one at a time to our drive to get them out of the road.  Now we blocked our main entrance in and out, but we have a secret entrance to still get out.

Bari and his friend, Rich, showed up the next day to help set trusses.  Andy and Rich were up high to secure the trusses.  Bari manned the backhoe holding the truss, and I secured each truss to the backhoe and walked it to guide it into place.  It all was a very nerve racking task, but very rewarding in the end.  It finally looked like we had a lot accomplished at we were at day 9 at this point.

End of day 9!  Finally looking like a barn.

Mia spent a lot of time on her bike or riding in her car.  I took my bike up and shoes to do a bit of running, so I could train a bit for my triathalon that is now less than one month away.  I decided building a barn was enough conditioning while I was there.  Overall, the trip was a success.  We all had to learn to compromise, let go of some ideals we thought would get done.  Andy and I were convinced we'd be at each other's throats by the end, but we really got along well, and dare I say had fun.  Patient Acres brings out our patients, or at least makes us aware that we need to work on them.  By the end of each work day, we could tell the end was near, because we'd lost patients with the girls and were ready for some sleep.  The girls were terrific through it all too.  Regularly we'd hear them screaming at each other from inside the camper like typical sisters do, but other times they worked together to build, create, or pretend together.  I hope they will treasure the memories made for a lifetime.

Andy got almost half the roof sheeting on and tar papered before we left.  We plan to head up again this weekend to see what else we can get done.  I got a call today that the concrete is being poured today!  I never thought I'd be so excited for concrete.

Olivia the Tri-Athlete!

The big day has come!  Olivia competed in her first official triathalon today and made us soooo proud!  Goshen, IN held their annual kids' tryathalon today.  This is the first year we knew about it.  When we got there we were excited to see some other Sturgis faces in attendance.  The Gottschalk family whom we know from Andy's Stingrays days were there.  Skylar had already finished and Laci was getting ready. 


Laci, Olivia, and Skylar

Olivia getting ready to enter the water.  (25 meter swim)

She swam well, but got going sideways 2/3 of the way down and hit the lane marker and that slowed her down.  She stopped and had to get herself straightened out and swimming again.

Daddy helping her out of the water.  (They let one parent on the pool deck to help their children.)

And she's off on her bike for the 1.2 mile ride.  This is the leg of the race that she flew!  One of my sister's good friends happened to have a son who swam a few heats before Olivia.  She was waiting for her son to come towards the end of the bike route, when holy cow, "Could that be Olivia already?"  Sure enough, she came in before quite  a few kids on her bike making up for some time lost in the swim.

Flying in to the end of the bike loop.

A parent is allowed to accompany the kids on the 1/2 mile run portion too.  Skylar volunteered to run with Olivia.  We were grateful, and I think it helped keep Olivia motivated.  The run was the part I was worried about with her.  She doesn't like to run very far.  She did lose a little ground on the run, but still did great.

Getting ready to cross the finish line.

And she made it!  Doesn't she look tuckered out?

Her final time was 17 min. and 40 sec. putting her in third place for her age group!
Awesome job Olivia!

Mia hugging on Olivia as all the girls cool off in the misting tent.  Skylar and Laci did awesome too, placing high amongst their prospective age groups as well.  It was a super fun event that we definitely plan to do again next year.  Olivia said she loved it and had so much fun.  After we headed to Olive Garden with the Gottschalks for some much needed lunch and air conditioning.

Independence Day 2012

Another 4th of July has come and gone.  We spent the week as we usually do, in Alpena.  We are so thankful we were there.  We enjoyed absolutely beautiful weather the entire time, topping off in the 80s typically, while Sturgis battled with over 100 degree temps the entire week.  Andy's parents and Jennifer joined us in Alpena on Sunday.  The following day we headed out on a glass bottom boat tour of the many shipwrecks in the Thunder Bay.  Crystal clear green waters made it so easy to view the remains of what once was a great freighter, barge, or schooner that sailed our Great Lakes.  The crew were entertaining and could answer all kinds of questions.  It was perfect weather and an enjoyable ride.

Esther and John with Olivia standing in front of Lady Michigan, the boat we sailed on.

A view of some wreckage.  I can't recall what ship this was.

Olivia letting the wind hit her face and blow through her locks.

John and my dad at the annual parade.

The girls standing ready to retrieve gobs of candy.

The motel John and Esther stayed at was on the beach and butted up next to the Starlight Beach, which had it's annual Sand Castle building competition.  It was cool to see all the creations.  I didn't get any pictures of them, but they were amazing.  They also inspired Olivia.  Above she is posing with her sand turtle creation, and yes, her turtle is tipping back on a wine cooler.

Mia and Aunt Jen anxioulsy waiting for the fireworks.

As always, the fireworks didn't disappoint this year.  We thought they might at first when we saw two huge fireballs eruppt at the start.  We were sure that a huge amount of them went up together, and someone had to have been hurt.  No sirens were ever heard, and they were spectacular as is the norm.  Glad no one was hurt and we got to experience the deafening grand finale that we've grown a custom to love.

Mia and Olivia sitting on the sand couch that Olivia constructed.  Not too visible here, but there was also a coffee table and a television.  Mia is also doing her "rapper" pose as Aunt Jen refers to it.

The week was filled with a little work on the property, followed by time with family.  We visited the local winery on our only rainy day, but the rain didn't last long.  We spent some days lounging by the beach and soaking up the sun's warm rays.  Routines and schedules were completely thrown out the window.  If Mia did manage to get a nap it was not near her usual time.  The girls rarely got to bed before 10:00 and some nights 11:00, but memories were made and will be cherished. 

Our last night at the property dad and Patty came for a cookout.  It's great to have all our family together to enjoy the beauty of Alpena and celebrate Independence Day.

Our patriotic display.

We loved spending so much time with Mother Nature, but sometimes Mother Nature bites, literally.  Being in the woods, you're bound to get mosquito bites.  Mia and Olivia had a fair number after the first night there.  Overall the mosquitos weren't really that bad this year, but poor Mia and the mosquitos didn't quite get along.  Monday evening we noticed one of her mosquito bites looking blistered and infected.  We popped it, cleaned it, and bandaged it up.  The next day it still was looking discolored around it, plus she had another blister between her toes on the same foot, but not as bad.  We found a Dr. Office with walk in hours and headed in.  Sure enough, he agreed it was infected and prescribed some antibiotics.

Mia's poor foot.

On the drive home, we noticed a mosquito bite on Mia's face just below her cheekbone, start to turn white and as we got closer to Sturgis, it started to swell some.  By night time, it was noticabley swollen.  This morning she couldn't open her eye.  Since it is Sunday, we headed to the ER since not many other options are available.  They gave her a shot of steroids that she took like a trooper.  They also prescribed steroids and another antibiotic.  Hopefully this clears it all up.  Her swelling has been going down already today.  We debated spending a large chunk of change on a mosquito eater machine that is supposed to keep over one acre clear.  Now with Mia's reactions, I think it's no longer a debate, we will be getting one before we head up again.

We stopped in East Tawas on the way home for a few hours to visit with the Mighty Doyle Clan.  It's always good to see them.  Then it was a smooth sailing, little traffic, uneventful drive home.

Another greath 4th of July is in the books for us.  We hope the same is true for all of you!

Cyclops Mia - thankfully it doesn't seem to bother her at all.  She laughs about it more than anything.