Michigan Part Two

Our recent trip to Michigan began at about 2:00 AM Thursday morning.  It was easier traveling through the night so this little one and her big sister could just sleep.  Plus it meant a stop at Cracker Barrel for a late breakfast!  She was more excited than she looks!!

We munched on snacks from home during our travel time, so we didn't have to stop for any other meals...we just headed for my Mom's house.  We all knew what we'd be doing for dinner.  Buddy's Pizza was definitely on the menu.  I grew up in Detroit, and going to Buddy's was kind of a regular thing...at least I remember it that way.  Square pizza...the best ever! Bocci ball. Chubby Checker's "The Twist" on the jukebox.  A Boomba Glass full of beer for my Dad.  That's what I remember...plus, my sister (about Lulu's age at the time) dancing to "The Twist" on top of the table.  Wonderful memories!

Anyway...that's where we had dinner. Not the one in Detroit.  We ate at the new one about a mile from my Mom's home. How convenient!  It was so good! 

Pizza Pie (as Lulu called it) and Antipasto Salad. The only bad thing...my belly got full before my mouth wanted it too!  Charlotte enjoyed her meal too...Buddy's got a "thumbs up" from her!

Later that evening we stopped for frozen custard at The Custard Spot. 

It's definitely a popular place!

 

It's important to make sure your hotel provides an adequate breakfast for you...thank you Hyatt Place for doing just that!  Here's a look at what Mark brought back for his family's breakfast Friday morning.  Katie, Charlotte, Lulu, and Mark were adequately fueled for the day!  

I also had one of the egg muffins...it was pretty tasty!

Next stop! Lunch!  National Coney Island...this is a must when we visit Michigan.  

We love these so much!!  

In fact my Mom has given Coney Island Hot Dogs to us for 

Christmas....you can read about it HERE.

Apple juice for Lulu and Vernors Ginger Ale for the rest of us. 

Coney Dogs, Hani's, Coney Tacos, Fries, Cheese Fries....yes to all!

Happy, Happy, Happy...that's what we were! 

Charlotte and Lulu each got ice cream, and the five grown-ups shared 

one Hot Fudge Cream Puff...oh my!

We did some shopping after this stop...including a trip to Meijer's to pick up some munchies for later in the evening...we definitely weren't going to need a full meal after all this.  What we did need though, was to stop at Sonic for some Limeades on the way back to my Mom's.  We have a Sonic relatively nearby here at home.  But this Sonic was in the same parking lot as Meijer's.

So really, we had to stop! 

On Saturday we headed to my brother's and sister-in-law's home for lunch/dinner...linner if you will!  (Breakfast at the hotel first of course!)  We had some great food...many hands prepared it.  

We were grateful for that (thanks for grilling Jason!), and we were especially grateful 

for all the fun fellowship with our family!

Ribs and Chicken and Stuffed Cabbage and Potato Salad and Noodles and Fruit and so on and so on.  Plus desserts...I didn't get photos of those!  It was a fun filled, food filled, awesome time! 

Sunday morning we took advantage of our complimentary breakfast one more time, and then we began the trip home.  We munched on snacks while we traveled, but only stopped for a meal once...at a Rest Stop in Pennsylvania.  We had Popeye's and Burger King.  (and played some Rock, Paper, Scissors too!)

And that was the end of the Food trip.

Well...except for the quick stop...about 40 minutes from home...for ice cream!  

That Charlotte sure likes her ice cream!

Stay tuned for Part Three....there was a 
Treasure Hunt!!

Thanks Ants!

We've been having a little bit of an ant problem for a few weeks.  The path they've been taking into our house takes them through our pantry, so Bill decided to clean out the pantry last week.  

In the process he found a couple things closing in on their expiration dates...including a mix for Pumpkin Bars.

So he did some baking on Saturday.  Pumpkin Bars with cream cheese frosting and nuts!!  
Oh My Goodness!  So yummy!

Thanks Bill....so glad you're retired!!

A Bit of a Blur

Bill, Mandy, her friend Regina, and I took a quick road trip to Michigan last weekend.  We left Friday morning, and returned Monday evening. Everything in between was a bit of a blur...and a whole lot of fun!!  Twelve hours in the car...and the closer we got to our destination, the slower we went. Lots of people were taking advantage of the beautiful weekend and heading for the lake!

 

 

Eventually the traffic cleared and we reached our destination, Midland, and the

home of our nephew, David, and his partner, Marcelo. 

They have a lovely home, and they very graciously shared it with us (comfy, cozy mattress). 

Friday evening they treated us to a yummy dinner at the Midland Country Club. 

 

 

Saturday was a very busy day. We started it out by visiting the local Farmer's Market.  It was set up in a park...such beautiful surroundings...pretty plants everywhere! The market was small, but we all found some plants to buy. Mandy, Regina, and I each bought some Sedum "Autumn Joy".  Later on, we discovered that it was growing in David's and Marcelo's back yard! Now we know where we can get it for free!  I also bought a bag of wonderful, handmade soap, and some Kale chips too!

 

 

We had an early lunch at a local sports bar...Bill was happy to see that the TVs were tuned to tennis and soccer. I had a fried Lake Perch sandwich...it was SO GOOD!

 

 

We made the trip to Michigan so we could attend our niece's wedding. Lisa and Justin got married ,at 4:00 PM on Saturday, in this pretty chapel. It was a simple and sweet ceremony.
Check out that tin ceiling! 

Dinner and dancing followed...my favorite part of the evening was the very, yummy cheesecake I had for dessert!!  No, really it was getting to spend some time visiting with family we seldom see !

 

 

Sunday morning, after a delicious breakfast (food played a big part in our weekend), we were on the road again.  We couldn't make a trip to Michigan without seeing my Mom!  So we drove a couple hours, stopped by her house, picked her up, and headed off to a cook-out at my brother's and sister-in-law's home (yep, food again!).  I loved being able to visit with some of my family...especially my Mom!!  Here she is with one of her great-grandchildren. Vincent will be three this month...such a cutie! 

 

We stayed at a Holiday Inn Express Sunday evening (worst mattress EVER), and then picked my Mom up for breakfast at National Coney Island.  Doesn't everyone eat Hot Dogs for breakfast!

After breakfast we took my Mom home, said our good-byes (only until she visits us in September!!), and then began our trip home.  But not until we made a quick stop at Sonic...after all we 

needed to get some Limeades to go!

 

It was a fun weekend!

Full of family and a whole lot of food!! 

Cute Idea and Just Plain Cute

I'm away from my computer and my photos...and I will be for a couple days.  So I thought I'd borrow some photos from Katie's Facebook for a quick post.

 

How's this for a cute, yummy dinner for a little person!  Katie served Charlotte  her dinner in little cups....
black olives, chicken, lettuce, & strawberries, plus that oven roasted piece of corn.  Tasty & fun!

Just plain cute....little Miss Lu....as big sister Charlotte likes to call her.

The G-Ma's Visit

A few peeks at our visit with my Mom...AKA The G-Ma & GG-Ma. 

It was a very busy, very happy, very fun week!!!

 

This is how I found my Mom when I arrived home from work last Wednesday. 
Straight from the airport to the baby!

Relaxing with her granddaughters...had to snap this one!
It made me laugh when I saw all these feet up on the table!!

A trip to the Cheesecake Factory...it was the first time Bill ate there. 
It was also the first time for the butterfly.

Katie's salad.

GG-Ma and the big sister and the little sister.

 

My Mom had to give up Lulu for a little while because her Nana from England arrived on Friday. 
Between the two of them I seldom got to touch Lulu!  : )

Lots of fun family fellowship!!

Caleb's first time in the big pool!

A little bit of down time for the kiddos.  Chloe's Closet was their show of choice.

We had pizza and a yummy homemade salad bar for dinner on Saturday.
Check out these jumbo radishes!!!

We took lots of family photos. Poor Penelope...look at all those big kids taking up
all the space in the playhouse

Yummy French Toast for Sunday breakfast.

These three LOVE the pool...they're just waiting for the "lifeguards" to arrive.
One of the "pool rules" is at least one adult in the pool AND one adult out of the pool
whenever the kiddos want to swim.

Here's the one IN the pool!

Caleb LOVES the pool!

Here he is pulling the pool train!

Charlotte's Nana was kind enough to take a photo of the whole group.

Charlotte and Penelope baked Brownies with Aunt Mandy.

We played a bit of Scrabble....we had two games going on at once.



While the brownies were baking, Mandy joined the game at this end of the table.



My Mom left for home yesterday. Katie brought Lulu over for some last minute hugs.

She seems to like her great grandma...looks like they're having a good conversation.

My Mom had to let Bill hold the baby while she had her Crab Cake lunch.

But she ended the visit just as it began...snuggling with Lulu!

 

We all had a great visit...and we're already looking forward

to the next one!  Love you Mom!!!