New Adventures

This was the first time crossing the bridge for Tim, Abby and Katie. It was a neat experience. However, I always heard it was 5 miles across. I clocked it from shore to shore and it was only 4.

This photo taken in memory of one of our beloved relatives.

It didn't matter how cold it was. Abby and Katie were getting in the water when we got there. You can see it was dark out. The water was freezing, but they didn't seem to mind.

Jim and Char came and we made hobo dinners.

It was delicious.

Whitefish Point lighthouse. This would have been the lighthouse the Edmond Fitzgerald was looking for. We had a great time walking the beach looking at all the rocks and skipping them, too. The shoreline here is known for its rocks. We even ran into some professional rock collectors. It was interesting.

Upper Taquamenon Falls. A must see. Mia and Papa were with us for this. They stayed 2 nights and we had a lot of fun with them. We were sad to see them go. Molly and I reflected on our time with them right after they left. We both felt like they were moving away. Molly cried. We were sad, but I'm sure they didn't miss the hide-a-bed sleeping arrangement.

Mia and Abby on a paddle boat ride.

Fishing was fun, too.

Katie caught this bass. It was about 13 inches.

Katie also caught this perch. She didn't want to get too close to the fish. She eventually gave me the pole and had fun with mommy. Abby and Molly got a little spooked one time. The water was calm when all of the sudden two loons surfaced from the depths of the water about 40 feet from the boat real close to Abby's fishing line. This was a cool experience. We later learned that Loons can dive up to 250 feet and stay under water as long as 5 minutes. They eventually went under again and resurfaced a few hundred feet away.

If you ever go to the UP with your kids you must take them to Oswald's Bear Ranch. We had our picture taken with the Black Bear cub.

We also saw last years bear cubs. Their names are behind on the fence.

Molly, Abby, and Macy enjoy a paddle boat ride. Macy was a little stressed and took a long nap after. She eventually took another ride and she really took a liking to it.

Molly enjoyed the time by the water as much as the girls. She had time to read and dangle her feet in the water.

Katie resting on "Wally". They loved their new blow up toy.

Abby taking a break from the swimming and just floating and relaxing.

Family fishing night.

This look expresses my earlier remark about Katie and fish.

Abby caught a lot of Bluegill. She really seems to like fishing and would get very frustrated when a fish would take her worm before she could real it in.

The day wasn't complete without going out to the local ice cream parlor. It was conveniently located within walking distance.

Katie would gladly exchange dinner for ice cream.

Ok, I love it too.

They weren't this happy before the ice cream.

Macy was very happy to be home. She was great on the trip and was never a burden. We are so happy we took her.

Curtis was an interesting town. We had ORV's driving all over town, golf carts, old beater trucks, luxury autos, little rascals. One lady's car alarm was going off up the street while we had our ice cream. A little while later she drove by, it was a Honda Odyssey, and her alarm was still going as she drove through town. It was funny. I was beginning to think it was a lawless society, but on the last day we were there we finally saw a county deputy driving his truck through town. Our first day we ate at a restaurant called Whitefish Inn Bar and Grill. The waitress spilled a whole tray of water on us. She said she had only been working there a month. Oh well, just another memory.

We loved the community and plan to go back there next year if God allows. It was great to experience more of God's wonderful creation.

Sleeping Bear

The day ended at the beach (photos are in reverse order)

We lost Peyton. He got too tired to move on and went back with Papa.

Katie and Abby (coming along) loved the big sandbox. They, and the cousins, could have played here all day.

Here they are after just climbing the first big hill.

And here they are continuing to climb the endless mountain of sand.

It was a perfect day to go. 70 with a little breeze and plenty of sun.

Fun, fun, fun til mommy took the horsey away!

Abby and Hannah.

Katie and Leah.

Katie with Aunt Kris.

Abby and Katie.

Abby didn't want to ride side saddle.

The girls love horses and animals in general.

Abby wants to be a dolphin trainer so it looks like we better get more serious about swimming lessons. The new Y will be opening soon so perhaps it's time to join. Katie loves all kinds of animals and quickly gets attached to them. They could both be vets someday, but maybe all parents think their kids would make good vets with as much as kids love animals. The horse rides were a special treat. Uncle Ben's co-worker allowed all of us to come over and ride.

Weekend at Nickels.

Jacob working on his form.

Father and son enjoying the great outdoors.

Frog.

Birthday celebration for Char, Jenna, and Curt.

The kids love to party.

Abby loved her flower pot dessert (and so did the rest of us).

We had a great weekend and Betsy and Mark did a great job hosting the birthday parties. We love getting together with the family. The adults were able to go out to eat at P.F. Changs, but we couldn't get Char to climb the horse for a photo op. We all learned a little Chinese and it was a barrel of laughs. Jim and Char went down in Nertz and we had the passing of the torch to the younger generation of Nertz players. The kids were sad we had to leave, but they are looking forward to a fun week with Jacob, Jenna, and Peyton when they come to Mia and Papa's for a week.

Tee-Ball and Softball Seasons Complete

Well, as quickly as the season began it is now over. The weather was not what you would expect for the sport the girls were playing. It felt more like soccer season. That didn't matter much to Abby and Katie, just mom and dad.

Katie's last game was great. The coach used the "gold rush" approach with the kids for their last game. When he gave the signal the kids could run to whatever position they wanted to play. Katie, of course, wanted to play at the pitchers mound because that is where the action is. Another boy beat her there so she gave him instructions on how to get to the outfield. The boy followed her advice and he made it out there. Katie hit the ball real good. She did all season long really. The coach said she is definitely ready for the next level.

Abby had her best game of the season. She was sad going into the game because she had never gotten to cross home plate. She had a walk in the first at bat (and later crossed home plate). The second at bat she had her best hit of the season. A line drive between 1st and 2nd. She would up making it to second base. The 3rd at bat she struck out. She was happy with her day and I think happy with her season. She is more into going out to practice catching and batting now. As a side note, she got to play catcher her last game. She looked great in all the gear and did a wonderful job. I was amazed at how improved Abby was from start to finish.

The coaches of both teams took the entire team to the Corner Scoop after the games for an ice cream cone. The girls were loving that (so were mom and dad, mia and papa, too).

Bad news is I forgot the camera so I have no memories to share visually. Bad day to forget that.

Celebrities in the spotlight.

I have taken notice to the recent deluge of celebrities dying. Whether by natural causes, murder, overdosing. People most of us know such as: Farrah Fawcett, Ed Mcmahon, Michael Jackson, Billy Mays, and now Steve Mcnair. I really feel bad that most of these people are dying without ever experiencing a walk with Christ. Scripture says that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle that for a rich person to enter heaven. It is easy to see why. Wealth, fame, drugs, etc. There are so few believing celebrities in Hollywood or around the world for that matter. Who is reaching them? I realize that many of these celebrities have "religion", but who doesn't? Even an athiest has religion. You would think that in their search for "something higher" there would be a random "big name", such as Kirk Cameron, who would find Jesus Christ as the only way, truth and life. I think most "stars" don't take him too seriously and in fact make a mockery of him. I am saddened that satan has won over a good majority of the people who could have had an unimaginable eternal impact. Instead, at the very instant of their passing, wish they could have a second shot at defeating satan. It is too late for them. That is the part that grieves me. Forget the fact that hell is an inferno. Can you imagine spending eternity in a place without God's presence? This kind of challenges me to do better. To take a risk. To put aside my fear and talk to people about God and how He has changed me. What difference am I making? How can I do better? Where do I start? How do I beat down my excuses? How about visualizing lost souls spending eternity without the presence of God? Do I really want that for them? Why would I want to keep this to myself? Am I ready to answer the tough questions?

This blog is not meant to be my diary, but I can't guarantee it won't be from time to time.

God is great.

It's a boy!!

Hard to tell from this picture.

It was fun to get the news on our 13th anniversary. I have always wanted a son, but was at peace without having it happen. Now God surprised us and we feel very happy and blessed. The girls are very happy, too. Now that we know what we are having it will make shopping a little easier.We continue to pray for a healthy baby. The doctor said that everything is normal and on track and was very pleased with the pregnancy thus far.