But. But. But we had such a wonderful time in Michigan, aside from that fact. How could that be? I know! I am posting some pictures which should hopefully explain why we had a wonderful time and what we loved so much.
Natalie had a birthday party on August 2nd. How lucky that we decided to have the party that day. My dad was able to join us, along with all of our aunts and uncles and many of our cousins (and, naturally, my sisters and their families).
Aunt Pam got Natalie this ridiculously awesome cake from Costco. What is it about Costco cakes that make them so utterly delicious? All I can say is that this cake is about all I ate between August 2nd and August 10th. Yum. Natalie had a great time at her party - her cousins showed her how to open presents (a skill she put to good use during the other parties we had for her this year).
Playing with Matthew and "Mister Head". Natalie loves Mister Head and she also loves her cousin Matthew, one of the smiliest and most wonderful children I know.
Our two peanuts. Could they be any sweeter?
At a Nature Preserve in West Bloomfield. The beloved double Bob stroller - oh, how I miss you, double Bob. Oh, and Luckens too (haha!).
Feeding deer at the Nature Preserve with Aunt Pam. Everybody got really into feeding these deer! It's fascinating how one deer loved to eat green peapods and the other, not so much. One loved clover and the other hated it. They are like toddlers! Lots of preferences! Natalie and I sing "Old McDonald had a farm" a lot in the car, and now often Old McDonald has a "doe", and the doe eats "green beans".
Noah supporting Aunt Pam at her 3 day walk!!! It was so hot on Friday, the first day of the walk. Actually, who am I kidding - it was steamy every day. But the kids loved driving around to see their Aunt. Natalie especially got into clapping and cheering for the walkers.
After we went to Livonia to see the walk on Friday, Natalie and Noah and I went to the Splash Pad at Grandma Nancy's park in Grosse Pointe Farms. Natalie absolutely LOVED the splash pad. I have to say that Gramma Nance loved it too. She wasn't wearing her swimsuit but ended up allowing herself to get soaked anyway. Gramma Nance and I agreed that toddlers and infants are good distractions when you hurt too much to think about anything else.
Saturday, the kids and I went to Plymouth to see the walk. Noah in his bunny ears.
The BELOVED Luckens
And Sunday, August 16th, we went to Ann Arbor to see the walkers! Mom LOVES Ann Arbor - naturally - so this was great fun. We even went to Zingerman's with Aunt Pam's 3 day team so they could cool down a little bit in all that heat. Natalie and Aunt Pam shared (not kidding) a few TABLESPOONS of vanilla gelato - and I don't want to say how much those few tablespoons of gelato cost :-) They were worth it though. Delish. I also picked up a giant coffee cake to enjoy back in California and boy was it worthwhile to lug 3 lbs of butter, sugar, flour, and nuts back home! It was beyond tasty.
We were so proud of Aunt Pam and her team. Several of her teammates walked on feet covered in blisters. Other teammates almost passed out from the heat and dehydration. But they kept going - after getting proper medical attention, of course. I was so inspired that I decided to sign up for the 2010 walk. Hence the new link on the sidebar to my 3 day training blog. I can't promise earth-shattering prose there, but Tyler and I try to keep this blog focused on the kids and the fun things we do - whereas that blog will probably get more introspective as I tend to sort out thoughts and feelings (and come up with new ideas) during walks. One thing I really would love to hear (in comments or personal emails) is suggestions on fundraising. I have to raise $2300 for the walk within the year, and would like to get creative. My sister is the captain of the team and has raised quadrillions of dollars herself for the walk over the last three years... so I know Pam is creative and will help with ideas too, but I'd also love to hear if anyone else has out of the box ideas for me.
2 comments:
I have heard that a lot of people do garage sales... and put up a sign that the takings are going to a 3 day walk. That might have people haggle a little less, and pay a little more...
That being said, maybe if any of your friends have stuff they want to get rid of, maybe they could also donate that to you, so that you can sell it.
Also, I saw people selling those light up sticks at the fireworks in Kay, IL. IF you have anything like that, and you check with the city to see if you need a permit to sell things. You probably buy them from Oriental Trading for $1, and sell them for $2. Also putting that the profits are for the 3 day.
Thanks for sharing these pics and giving a little glimpse into the happier part of your experience there.
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