Marquette Visit

It's been almost 2 weeks since we traveled north to visit my side of the family but we had a great time! Saturday, mom and I went to garage sales while the boys went to an auction (we found a great swing to hang in a tree!). Then we all headed to a graduation party and to see old friends. Saturday evening we celebrated Mike's 31st birthday - Dad made his awesome loaded nachos for dinner and then we went for a walk downtown. Sunday we went for a late breakfast at Jeff and Margaret's to enjoy Father's day. Even though this was a short trip it was well worth the driving time and I can't wait to go again!

The Fierstine Family


Saturday morning Mimi gave B a bath and I got some much appreciated uninterrupted time to get ready for the day!


Claire being her adorable self


I finally caught a smile from Connor - what cheeks!



B and Boppa catching up on the latest gossip - B liked to grab the pages and hear them crinkle - he is so into touching everything!


Connor said "hello" to Uncle Mike with an audible, across the room diaper filling!


Claire reading a story to Mimi. She has lots of energy but managed to stay put just long enough for me to braid her hair - it made her look much older!

Claire just had her 2nd birthday June 3rd - I was impressed with her building skills - I am looking forward to Bennett being able to pretend and imagine!

While on our walk Saturday night Bennett fell asleep in the carrier - only I didn't know it! We were walking along and B's leg were swinging - I thought he was kicking and having fun but in reality he was like a limp rag doll, his legs swinging with each step I took. It wasn't until we paused to look in a store window that I saw his reflection and realized he was sleeping! His hoodie was even crooked so I thought his head was upright! We had had a long day seeing new people and being outside - he was whooped!

Sunday morning at Jeff and Margaret's - they have a great swing set in their backyard and we gave it a try after breakfast.

Claire was very into helping B swing - when she was finished though she forgot that the swing keeps swinging and she was bonked on the forehead! No tears though - Claire is tough!


Happy Father's Day

Connor hanging out in his swing

We left late Sunday afternoon and had an uneventful drive - we thought for sure we would be caught in heavy rains from the looks of these clouds but we were behind the storms.

A rainbow

The last hour or so I climbed into the back to entertain Bennett - the front passenger seat flips flat forward so I put my feet up and read my magazine to B.

"Allright. I like to pretend I'm not interested in the happenings of Hollywood but just between you and me, I think Katie and Suri should leave Tom - what a nutcase!"

"Now, cut the gossip, I want toys!"

So I covered him with toys and let him pick and choose what to play with. By the way he is taking a pacifier more often now - especially before sleeping - but he mostly likes to pull it out and look at it.

Our next trip planned won't be until the end of July when Bennett is going to Mimi and Boppa's for an extended weekend without parents!

Daddy Daycare

While at work, Mike takes care (good care, I might add) of B (he calls it "Daddy Daycare"). Tonight B got a bath and Mike sent a picture to show me how much fun they are having. The picture is blurry because it was taken with Mike's phone but it is so cute!

Walk to Reeds Lake

Earlier this week we went for a walk to Reeds Lake and I wanted to share this picture of Mike and Bennett together.




Bennett watching a duck


These sailboats appeared to be racing


I thought for sure this one would tip over but he held on

A Weekend in Marquette

This past weekend Bridget, Bennett and I traveled to the great Upper Peninsula to visit my family and have a bonding "girls weekend." It was exactly what we needed all around. I so enjoyed seeing my family and getting back to my nature roots. I do like Grand Rapids but I feel an especially strong pull to the outdoors. I want to be near water and hiking trails, waterfalls and rock beaches. I love my hometown and I miss it dearly. Showing Bridge around Marquette was comparable to a 4 year old showing off their room to a new visitor. I felt proud of my little town -- all the outdoor adventures that are at our fingertips and yet still having modern conveniences (we do, after all, have a Target and PierOne).


Our backseat driver


We left on Thursday morning with a short stop at the bridge for lunch (home-packed PB&J's!) and made it to Marquette by 6p. B was a great traveler and didn't complain until we were 10mins out (I think he was just excited to see his Mimi and Boppa). We settled in and then went for a walk down to McCarty's Cove - there were kids out on the rocks!!! I couldn't believe it! The water must have been 55degrees! Brrrr! That's a Yooper for ya!

Friday was a mismatch of seeing friends and family. Jeff and Margaret welcomed their son, Connor, on Wednesday May28th at 12:58pm. A 9lb 1oz cutie! We made a quick visit to say congrats and then left the newly expanded family to rest. That afternoon my parents kept B while Bridget and I went to see Sex and the City - it was much anticipated as Bridge and I were avid watchers of the series. We Loved it!! I laughed! I cried! I laughed! It was great! Afterwards we went to a local restaurant, Up Front, and gossiped over drinks (Bridget, a Sex on the Beach cocktail - very appropriate I think, and I, a Corona with lime). That night my dad built a fire downstairs and we played a version of dominoes (this sounds like we're 90 years old but it's actually a lot of fun!).

A Visit with Baby Connor


Mom and Connor


Margaret and Jeff with B -- she looks so great only 3 days after delivery


What cheeks! He has a full head of dark hair





Boppa and the boys

The Great Outdoors
Saturday Bridget and I went to Forestville and hiked to the waterfalls. I certainly feel put in my place when I see and hear the power of the water as it rushes over the rocks. Ellie went with us and showed us up with her ability to navigate some iffy paths. Get this: we only saw 4 other people on our hike and two of them are from Grand Rapids! What are the odds! (pretty good, apparently). On our way home we drove to Presque Isle, checked out the cliffs and Black Rocks - this is such an nostaligic part of my childhood - I always get feel-good feelings when I come here. Saturday evening we went to Negaunee and saw my friends Molly and Jeni and they got to hang out with B for a while. We then went back home for more dominoes! Part of what I love about home is our fantastic ability to do nothing in particular and have so much fun! To me, being home is sleeping in, reading a book, catching up on magazine gossip, eating great food, walking in the woods and sitting by the fire.


Forestville



Steady...




Bridget crossing the creek



Ellie. What a show-off.


Here is one of the "iffy" paths I mentioned earlier - balancing on trees roots (I took the higher and less difficult path!)


Ellie's infamous bubble when she's out playing hard




Bridget is sitting in the top right hand


Intimidating power



Presque Isle





A lookout on Presque Isle


Bridget pretending to be Bear Grylss ("Man vs. Wild"). If stranded she said she would have to eat Ellie to stay alive. I told her Ellie would keep the bears and cougars away and that we shouldn't eat her (even though Ellie is afraid of bicycles and would surely run the other way if she saw a bear).


Black rocks - the point in the middle is where we jump off (in the summer of course)! The shore here is all rocks - perfect for skipping.

Enjoying the Outdoors

I love this pic! My mom looks so young and beautiful! (my Dad must have thought so too - watch your hands!). A handsome couple.



Dad walking with B

It was a little chilly this morning - what a rough life to be so bundled, toasty and warm.




The Fierstine home since I was six.


Mimi and B cuddling on the front porch


Random Pics

Molly and B


Claire's 2nd birthday was June 3 and we gave her a bucket of bugs to celebrate! (Thanks to Mimi for the idea)


Checking out the bugs through the magnifying glass. My mom tells me it takes forever to go for a walk because Claire lays down on the sidewalk to play with the ants.



B playing with his favorite musical toy - it plays the "If you're happy and you know it" tune and the flowers also chime and light individually when tapped.


Hanging out on the front porch on Pine Street

Sunday was warm - 75degrees

Sunday we went for a walk to Park Cemetary to check on my mom's garden (there is a designated area for garden "plots" provided by the city). This cemetary is beautiful with cascading trees overhanging the large ponds and roads that quietly wind through the hills. My mom and I like to walk through and find uncommon first names. This trip we found Saidee, Mable and Cajsa. My dad was pulling B in the red wagon and he fell asleep on the way home. From there we packed up to head back to GR. We made a pitstop pickup in Rapid River and Stephanie Grosvenor joined us for the trip south. Stephanie is from Gladstone and also went home this weekend and hitched a ride back with us. We stopped in Manistique for a quick bite, switched drivers in Grayling and made it home by 730p. Good times and good conversation; we may have to carpool to the UP more often.

One of the best memories came from Claire this weekend:
When we arrived on Thurs, my parents were watching Claire while Jeff, Margaret and Connor were still at the hospital. B was laying on the floor and I was going to change his diaper. I asked Claire if she would like to help me (after all, she needs to learn her "big sister"duties!). Claire was squatting down next to me watching intently as I took B's diaper off. "What's that?" Claire asked. "That's his penis." I replied. Claire said, "Whoa." We all had a good long belly laugh at that. Ahhhhh, the innocence of toddlerhood.

I always feel like I didn't have enough time to do all the things I wanted to do or to see all the people I wanted to see. I believe that I will always leave feeling like it's too soon to go. Love to my Yooper family - I miss you!