Midweek Getaway

At the end of June (Can you tell I'm playing catch up?) we decided to get out of town for a couple of days and spend some quality time together. We started in Traverse City where we explored the beach, shopped downtown and indulged in some fabulous ice cream. Next we drove up to Northport where we took a tour through the old Grand Traverse Lighthouse. Lastly, we ended up in Leland/Fishtown which was really cool except we got rained out. So we will go back...for the wineries...without Cash:)

Cash was such a trooper and we had a great couple of days together.

A Weekend for Family

Cash finally met his Great Grandma over the weekend. Their introduction was long overdue. I hope he gets to spend more time with her in the future. He also met some of my aunts, uncles and cousins for the first time. And he sure was a trooper; being passed around with a smile on his face.

There's the new leap frog position:)

A Wine Tour + A Birthday

Jake and I had our first day + night away from Cash over the weekend. We went to Traverse City with my brother, his girlfriend, my best friend and her husband to celebrate Jake's birthday. We  went on an Old Mission Peninsula Wine Tour and had so much fun. We visited 7 out of the 8 wineries, since one had an hour wait (no thanks). I only tasted at the first 5 and then I needed a little break:)

At Brys' Estate, they put a candle in a little pumpkin muffin and we all sang Jake Happy Birthday.

Everyone was laughing at the fact that I shoved a bunch of pretzels (they were free!) in my purse and went on my merry way.

We had such a fun day and night, and our little chunky monkey was so good for Grammy and Papa. But boy, we were ready to pick him up on Sunday!

All in the family

Images in this photo are not as white as they appear

Our town hosts the annual "Tip Up Town." Originating here 62 years ago, ice fishing was the inspiration. Two weekends a year revolve around ice shantys, snowmobiles, dog sled races, queens pageants, and fun for the whole family. In more recent years the winter festival is better known for its' crowded beer tent and rowdy out of towners, who drive their snowmobiles too fast after a few cocktails. I've frequented Tip Up Town before during my formative years, but this is our first year actually being locals. And the truth is, we wanted to avoid all the hoopla and stay away from the madness.

Cousin, Alyssa, my mom's Uncle Roger, and me

The only thing that could drag me out this past weekend was the promise of family, fun, and some good music. Some of my cousins are in a band (4 out of the 5 brothers) called Herd. They're crazy talented. I should know, I sang in a different band with them 8 years ago--wow, time flies-- and they're even better now than they were back then.

Mike's the oldest. Can sing and play anything.

Josh is the next. He's the drummer, but I love when he gets up and sings.

JJ's the lead singer. Very entertaining.

Jason's the "baby" of the group. So impressed with his guitar playing. When I use to sing with them no one would let him do anything but play the bongos!

And here's a blast from the past, just for kicks:

Singing and dancing with the newly formed band in 2007 at my cousin's grad party.

Check out their facebook profile and hear some music HERE

Thirty- part 2

We decided to keep on celebrating, if you will. We met up with one of Jake's good buddies from college, got a hotel room for a couple of nights and just did our thing. I can't lie and say the whole weekend was about Jake because he did kind of spoil me and let me have the better part of the day Saturday to go shopping (and its been so long!). But we also had some nice dinners, went out on the town, soaked in the hottub, and saw a movie.

This is what a 30 year old looks like:)

old buddies

acting crazier than we really are

first time riding the bull and he didn't even get my face!

Matt's turn

On Sunday Jake and I decided to visit the Henry Ford Museum before leaving town. If you remember, last year we checked out the Motown Museum- which we loved.

My review of the Henry Ford? It was awesome. Of course, I didn't think to charge my camera so I only got a few photos before the battery died:(

 A 1950's kitchen. We both agree that the 50s and 60s are our favorite decades--all around.

An original Allis Chalmers tractor. (per Jake's request:)

One of the first wagons used for transportation.

Us pretending to drive a New Holland. (hey, where did Jake's face go??)

And then the battery died. Unfortunately, I didn't get photos of my favorite things, such as the chair Abe Lincoln was sitting in when he was assassinated, the Rosa Parks bus that started the entire Civil Rights Movement, the limo JFK was sitting in when he was shot, plus tons of other cool historical things. Guess we will just have to go back! If you like history and have never been, check out the Henry Ford!

catching up



It has been a busy 5 weeks since returning from Haiti, and life has no plans of slowing down anytime soon. The husband's gone for a few days working out of town, so I had a few moments to catch up on the blog.

Jake took me golfing for the first time. I got to wear one of my new visors. I'm a decent putter. My swing needs some work. And we haven't gone since. Maybe this fall.

I am not a good eater in the summertime. My appetite is very small and random, so I have been eating a lot of salads and on nights when I don't have to worry about what someone else is eating, like tonight, I have cereal.

A couple of weeks ago I spent the weekend in Traverse City celebrating my friend, Shannon's 40th birthday. It was complete with giant wine glasses, dancing, and fake tattoos. Ya know, the usual 40 yr old stuff.

Last Thursday I headed to Nashville for my friend Tiana's wedding. I finally got to get to know her future husband and spend some quality time with her preparing for the big day.

She was a beautiful bride. Like, belonged-on-the-cover-of-vogue-beautiful.

And what does the bridesmaid with no date do? (J stayed home.) Why, take pictures of herself in the bathroom and send them to her husband of course.

Hope your summer's going well, friends:)

weekend.

~New $6 flats. Gotta love the Gap Outlet~

~The snow is officially gone. Spring has sprung, just a little behind schedule~

~Don't knock lime green nails. It's all the rage~

~Had a house party Saturday night, and Layla was the perfect little hostess~