I am so blessed to have the greatest group of people in my life
and am even more blessed that they are my family. Everyone is so fun and unique. And getting to spend time with them is the
highlight of my year!
This visit was made even more special, as I had Fint with
me for the first time ever! And we had an amazing time! I couldn’t get the smile off my face, having
Fint together with my family at the same time in the same location, just feels complete in my heart. I am whole and happy. Even though MI might have been a bit chilly,
I was glowing warm!
My amazing welcoming committee!! Everyone came to meet me at the airport...
I feel the love!!
JAPAN
We got to spend the afternoon in Narita while on a nice length
layover. This little town is beautiful
and such a nice break from the long plane rides. Fint has been there quite a few years ago and
he says it has stayed exactly the same as he remembered it, right down to the preparation
and grilling of the eels.
Good Japanese beer and amazing ramen...
not a bad way to split up a long trip!
This little chocolate filled bun panda never had a chance!!
FINTS VISIT
This was Fints first visit to the northern part of the
mitten. The closest he’s been is the
Detroit Airport and then driving south to North Carolina. So this was his first MI experience. My fam was amazing…such good hosts. They made our stay special and crazy amounts
of fun! We ate good, slept good, played good, and had lots of quality time with
everyone. My heart was complete and full
to the brim.
Fint driving Dad's Jeep up the hill at Bull Gap.
Pasties in the Upper Peninsula, my favorite!
Pasties were the meal for many a logger and miner.
Trial riding.
Fint's truck for the trip...happy boy! He drove across the Mighty Mac.
Happy girl...cuddles from my little girl every morning!
NORTHERN MI
Now, Northern MI and the UP is such a beautiful place, and I
was lucky that it was so pretty, as all of the sights were closed due to it not
quite being spring weather just yet.!?!.
Northern MI is trees, water, trees, and more
water and trees. So you never run out of
lakes or forests…it is a place for people who love the outdoors; not for mall
hoppers or theatre goers. Which suites
us perfectly…as we get a lot of malls and plays here at home….so it is nice to unplug,
relax and unwind for a while among the tall trees and bluest of waters.
In Petoskey, on Little Traverse Bay off of Lake Michigan
A beautiful lake we spent many a summer on growing up, Clear Lake in Atlanta, MI
Jason's deer...getting some love! ;)
The lighthouse keeper’s log on October 20, 1905 reads: “At
8:30 pm last night the steamer, J.S. Fay, came ashore here in a sinking
condition. She soon broke up. Most of
the crew came ashore on the Pilot House. Three men swam ashore, the mate was
drowned.” The Entry for December 4, 1905 reads: “The assistant found a dead man
on the beach about 1 mile up. We think it is the mate of the Fay.”
The Joseph S. Fay was a wooden steamer built in 1871, but
was wreaked in 1905 due to savage waves and high winds. You can still see her
remains at 40 Mile Point Light Station on Lake Huron.
Hiking at the Boardwalk in the woods.
GIRL'S FAIRY TALE PHOTO SHOOT AND FAMILY PHOTO SHOOT
I have the most fun group of girls to call…sisters and
nieces and friends….and when we get together, silly fun happens! We decided to have a fairy tale style photo shoot! We decided on a woodland fairy theme, and went
out and shopped for all we could think of that would fit into our theme and
look good in photos. I feel like we
nailed it! These girls are gorgeous
inside and out. What a fun thing to do and we captured some great memories all the while.
And the boys photo shoot….well that was something completely
different! I love these guys!
Boys are rough! ;)
We also thought it would be a great to take a family photo since we were all together. We took advantage and the photos turned out awesome.
I love this whole group of people so much!!!
I know everyone is biased...but I really do have the best family ever! ;)
GROWING UP TOO FAST
Every year I go back the kids seem to age by 5 years! I can’t express how much I miss getting to
see these kids on a more regular basis. They are such beautiful kids, inside
and out; every one of them. They mean so
much to me, and in these brief moments of time with them, they really let me be and feel part of their lives. They are
very good to me….I appreciate their love, more than words can express. I learn
so much from these youngins'…they keep my spirit young! ;)
Wine Country
As a special treat, Joshua and Yaya and us went to Old Mission Peninsula for a bit of wine tasting. We had beautiful weather, and Fint got to see our super modern and beautiful vineyards one the lake. Not only are they beautiful to look at, but the wine is spectacular. Even Fint was surprised! ;)
Chocolate Tour! And Petoskey
We got to spend quite a bit of time with Jason, Steph and Ava too. Which, was so very nice. Ava is the sweetest little girl there ever was...I so enjoy her lively spirit! We had brilliant weather and Petoskey is such a beautiful town on the water...great food, sunshine, beach walks and good, good company!
She has so much personality...I love it!
She is firery and wild...I hope she always stays this way!
Bella Beans...the bravest chic I've ever met!
True beauties inside and out.
Feeding the "lake-gulls" :)
My sweet Lil Pops....she is my twin in every way!!
My fav buddy!!! Boy do I love him!!
And little pumpkin pie, Penelope. There will never be a pup as sweet as her.
Wine Country
As a special treat, Joshua and Yaya and us went to Old Mission Peninsula for a bit of wine tasting. We had beautiful weather, and Fint got to see our super modern and beautiful vineyards one the lake. Not only are they beautiful to look at, but the wine is spectacular. Even Fint was surprised! ;)
2 Lads Winery, Old Mission located on Grand Traverse Bay off Lake Michigan.
Bonobo Winery on Old Mission
Bonobo Winery
2 Lads Vineyard
2 Lads Vineyard
Not exactly sure what is going on in this photo...but none of us seem to be in the same conversation....looks like I'm having a great time nonetheless. ;)
Old Mission at the lighthouse on the very tip of the peninsula
Lighthouses, lighthouses everywhere!
Old Mission Lighthouse one Grand Traverse Bay off of Lake Michigan
Chocolate Tour! And Petoskey
We got to spend quite a bit of time with Jason, Steph and Ava too. Which, was so very nice. Ava is the sweetest little girl there ever was...I so enjoy her lively spirit! We had brilliant weather and Petoskey is such a beautiful town on the water...great food, sunshine, beach walks and good, good company!
Petoskey: Little Traverse Bay off Lake Michigan
While we were in Petoskey...we took full advantage of my first ever chocolate factory tour!! I was just like all the naughty kids in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and wanted to taste and test everything! I think I was more excited than Ava!! :) I did leave with a beautiful box of mixed sea salted chocolates...and they were AMAZING!!!
Family Fun!
Love.
Brother/Sister fun! :)
We're cool.
Yaaaasssss!
Fudge!!! Yum!!!
Let's not get our germs on the yummy chocolate...
guys with beards had to wear these face masks!
Smmmmoch! He loves me a bit. ;)
Hahaha
Great Lakes. Beautiful Beaches
Sand Dune Running!
Michigan has miles and miles of sandy beaches and dunes along the waterfront...and it is the softest sand your feel will ever feel. Velvety, sugar soft sands.
Skipping rocks...simple joys and spending quality time with my family.
Skipping Stones
Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes
It may have been a cold and rainy day...but it didn't stop us from having a bit of fun together! He had to see it a bit misty and rainy and freezing...but it is still beautiful...and he will enjoy the view that much better in the sunshine next time. :)
Sleeping Bear Sand National Lakeshore is located in the lower peninsula in Leelanau and Benzie counties. The park covers a 35 mile (56 km) long stretch of Lake Michigan's eastern coastline.
I think he approves!! :)
The Sleeping Bear Convoy
Burrr!
Kaid conquering that dune!
He is instantly regretting his decision to run down that dune...
That little black dot on the edge of the sand and the water...that's Kaid!
Our Kaid...only took 20 mins! Fit but wrecked at the end!
Mom and Pop's B&B
We stayed at my parents for this trip...and it couldn't have been nicer. A personalized B&B. Where our laundry got washed...and our breakfasts made when ever we decided to wake up! Thanks guys for making it so nice!!! It is such a comfy home, in such a beautiful setting, and very welcoming hosts! ;)
Breakfast at 11:30am....why not!?
I Miss the food already!!!
Campfires and beer....not much gets better than that!
BBQ......I'm getting hungry...craving some good 'ol burger and wedges!
Mom and pop's back yard...still a sprinkle of snow.
Photos!
Two good 'ol boys right here!
Jason and Steph's puppies.....soooooooo cute!!!
Hammocks in the back yard...Northern MI
Backyard toys....MI style. ;)
Just some good ol' boys....not meaning no harm. ;)
Builder Fint.
:)
Diner food...Americana
Lake Huron
On our drive up to the UP...beautiful Lake Huron
40 Mile Point Light House on Lake Huron
Going to check out the J.S. Fay shipwreck
Lake Huron...what a beautiful day out. Blessed with MI sunshine!!
This is the Iron Worker memorial for those who built the Mackinac Bridge.
The Mackinac Bridge is still the longest two-tower suspension bridge between anchorages in the western hemisphere, 50 years after its construction, it is the third longest suspension bridge worldwide.
The bridge connects the Lower Peninsula of Michigan to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. And it is also where the great lakes, Michigan and Huron meet up. The lake to the lake on the left of the bridge is Michigan and the lake to the right is Huron.
Lake Michigan in all it's sparkling glory.
Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse was first lit in 1892.
Holding up the Mighty Mac (a nickname for the bridge.)
We have the prettiest Sunsets on our Great Lakes
Last night of holiday....and best night ever!
Our last night in MI we all headed over to Josh and Yaya's new land and decided to have a bonfire in the woods after dinner. It turned out to be such a fun night...laughing, singing around the fire, and just enjoying each other's company and a glass of MI wine. I cannot think of a better way to spend an evening in MI. I love this amazing group...and I'm so blessed to call them my friends and my family!!
Dinner at Pearl's
Love.
Bonfire fun!
Nothing beats this.
On our way back home...sad to leave...but looking forward to coming back!
I wanted to say a big thanks to all of you guys...you made our visit so very special and so much fun. Thank you for all your time and love!! And thanks for mom and dad for hosting us and Dewey and Jess for the awesome bbq's and Dewey sharing all his toys...Fint loved it! Thanks to Jason and Steph and Joshua and Yvonne for also taking days off to spend with us. You all made it super hard to leave...and we are already counting down the days until we come back home!!!!
Lots of love and hugs!!! xoxo
