Vacation - Part 1 (Michigan)

WOW!  I can't believe how long it's been since I've updated the blog!  Time flies when you're having fun!  And we've DEFINITELY been having fun!!  We had a WONDERFUL weeklong family vacation and August 12-19... we spent the first leg of the trip in Michigan and the second leg of the trip visiting our good friends Mickey and Minnie Mouse!!

The weeks leading up to our vacation we were talking all about going to "Mikishan" to visit Aunt Judee, Uncle Mats and his big cousin Max.  Adrey was so excited! The boys were AMAZING on the plane.  Both of them behaved beautifully and got all sorts of compliments!  And as soon as we landed in "Mikishan", Adrey wouldn't stop saying, "Going to see Aunt Judee?  And Uncle Mats?  And Max?"  And from the moment we arrived we felt at home.  Adrey was immediately drawn to Max and followed him around like a little puppy.  It was so cute seeing how he looked up to Max. 

The boys were footloose and fancy free after being on the plane and in the car much of the day.  We enjoyed just hanging out at the Lonnemo's house and eating their AWESOME Mexican cuisine.  I'm sure I've mentioned this before, but Mats and Judee are unbelievable in the kitchen.  They can "whip" up anything, and everything they make is DI-VINE.  Finger licking good I tell ya.   

Second to the hosts of our trip, the next best thing the boys enjoyed were the STAIRS in their house!  Adrey must have gone up and down those stairs 100 times!  And Charlie managed, with some help, to get to the tip top also!

By about 7:00pm on Day 1 Charlie was beat!  But he managed to get a second wind later on in the evening.  Every night we were there, the boys would stay up until at least 10:00pm, and no real meltdowns accompanied.  Then they'd sleep in until 8:00am (the hotel room was absolutely pitch dark with the shades drawn... A-MA-ZING).

Adrey got a hold of the camera and took some pictures of us.  I now realize these are the only pictures of all four adults that we got!!  Way to go A-man!!

The Lonnemos!!

Adrey helped make breakfast.

And there was the coolest playground just a mile from their house.  It was so much fun!  Although the mosquitos were a bit to be desired (even though they weren't the size of dimes like they are in Naples, they were just as awful!).... they were everywhere!

LOVE these next couple pictures of Max and Adrey.  PRECIOUS!!

We took a walk up to Main Street one day and did a little shopping.  There is one store in particular there that just makes me want to keep bearing children... like for a living.  They have the CUTEST BABY CLOTHES and accessories!  I just want to always have a little one around so I can dress them in this store's clothes!

And in this store, poor Charlie was a guinea pig and tried a few things on for Mama!!



And on our way home we stopped by the fire department which is right down the street from Judee's house and the nice fireman let us go IN the trucks!  So fun!

Adrey even got to try on the Chief's helmet.

We got to see Aunt Jacqui too!  She came bearing a boat load of the gifts for the kids (and us)!  Adrey loved it!  Charlie wasn't so sure about Aunt Jacqui at first!

Charlie chillin'...

I got Charlie a 3-pack of adorable socks from another cute children's store in Ann Arbor (see below).  I discovered when we got home that I accidently threw the other two pairs away.  So mad at myself.  I remember throwing the box away, but obviously thought it was empty.  Wrong.

Adrey got a few new pairs of shorts and a rockin' pair of boots that he LOVES!!

Believe it or not, the shorts are a 3T... way too big but they're so cute so I had him wear them.  Guess I'll be tucking those a way for a bit longer.  I guess I can pull them back out when the boy decides to start eating!!  This next picture was taken just moments before Adrey kicked a ball, lost his footing and fell back smacking the back of his head on the concrete.  Hard.  Poor babe.  The goose egg is still there today!



The boys played some basketball which is right outside the back door.  I wish we had a set up like that.  It was cool to be inside in the kitchen/family room and still feel like you're a part of the action outside. 

Potty break in the garden.  Hoping that those aren't any of Judee and Mats herbs he relieved himself on!!



We also visited a really cool children's museum in Ann Arbor while we were there.  A great place for kids to explore and learn.  Both boys loved it.  Adrey HAD TO HAVE this green snake that was in the store.  So we got it for him for being such a good boy.  On our way to the car I was holding Adrey's hand and I asked him what he was going to name the snake.  And "Jordan" was his answer.  So there you have it.  Jordan the snake.  And he loves it!

Thank you Lonnemos for a wonderful trip!  And thank you Jacqui for all of the fun gifts!  You are all so wonderful!  We love you very much!! 

Vacation Part 2 (Disney World) coming soon to a blog near you!