A mix of photography, recipes, personal thoughts, faith, and lots of family stuff, but not necessarily in that order.

Friday, August 8, 2025

Its a wrap! Beware, Photo dump Family week

 These people.... we are blessed



Starting to arrive

Lots of swimming, jumping off the dock and snorkeling
Oh, and tubing
Did I mention fishing?

Tossing of children
Coloring
Gaming and snacking
Rough housing
Chillin'
Lounging
Uncle Gavin and his peeps

Sand play
King of the raft

Kayaking
Boating
Tubing
For some of us, learning a new game
Building with K'nex
Making pie
Lake time
<3




Auntie Brie is queen of braiding
Pure goof!
Our Joy!
Good bye is hard 

Tuesday, August 5, 2025

Family week 2025

This is our 10th season at our little cabin on the lake.
We have been blessed each year to have all of our kids, their spouses and grandkids here at the same time over a week! These 10 years have been the “golden years” for us, at least that’s what I call it. Our grandkids are still young enough that there are not a lot of things that get in the way of coming to the cabin for this precious week. 
There are 11 of us and sometimes it feels like we are all on top of each other, but we make things work cuz
 we all love being together.
Today the remainder of the family left, including the grandkids and their parents. (Chris & Gavin Went back A few days early, well because… Jobs!)

Sigh, always a bittersweet day for us
Love these littles 

Siblings
As they begin to leave
Final words from Dad 

There they go 



Wednesday, July 2, 2025

Better Late than never.... Michigan road trip


In Early April Rick & I celebrated our 43rd anniversary
We decided to head to the UP of Michigan

We had never been to Michigan and especially wanted to visit the UP

We started our trip near Houghton MI at a sweet little VRBO cottage on Portage Lake.
It was still WINTER in  upper Michigan but I wasnt mad about it!

It served up well
Living area
Kitchen
coffee bar
The recliner was the deciding factor on this place
extra bedroom
Portage Lake
This was our home base for 3 days as we explored the area.


We traveled up the left side hitting all the little towns and some sites to see.

I had recently torn a few muscles and ligaments in my Left hip area so there wasn't a lot of extended walking or hiking on this trip! Still, everything was beautiful
Windy and cold

The lake was active


Got to see a few lighthouses,snow and waves

All the way to the top, Cooper Harbor


After a few days we ventured to Marquette...

We stayed at this super nice hotel right on the water, 
we walked out to the end of the pier several times.

Another lighthouse
 
It was fun to find NMU

The Super Dome!

It is always open to the general public for walking...so we did
Long jump pit

Presque Isle Park
The photo doesn't do this area justice, it was so pretty


I wanted to find a unique place to eat, after talking to some locals we ended up at "The Vierling"
This Historic restaurant has been a focal point in downtown Marquette for over 140 years.
We enjoyed the ambience...
and the food
We highly recommend it

Despite the fact that I was a little laid-up, we had a great time exploring the UP of Michigan, 
Next time we will go in the fall when the colors are know to be spectacular.