Too Much Information: Michigan!

I just returned from a short trip to Michigan. I usually go from Thursday to Sunday, it's kind of my normal routine. It's easier for me to get just Friday off of work rather than trying to stay longer. We did stay longer at Christmas but when I go alone, it's usually just 4 days. If it is during the school year, this seems like a pretty decent visit but this visit was the first day of summer break for the girls and it just went by so fast! It really felt too short.

I always take the 6 am flight because it's the only flight that gets me there without wasting a whole day. Down side is that I am always so tired when I arrive, that I need a nap. When the girls are in school, it's works out perfect as I can nap right up until they get home. They were already home from their last day of school this time and I was worried that I wouldn't be much fun being so tired. Branden and Amber must have talked to them because they both commented that they knew I would need a nap and showed me my room right when I arrived. haha. Still, I needed it! So that was awesome.

I have always brought presents when I come and this was my first time not doing so. The girls are getting older and I really just don't know what they are into day to day so picking out a gift is really hard now. I figured I would take them to Target and let them buy something but there's always that moment of telling them I have no gifts in my suitcase. Well, again, sounded like Amber had tried to prepare them for this possibility because as I was bringing in my suitcase, Kaylee asked what I had in there. I replied, Just clothes this time. I was about to explain the plan and she said, "Well, the real gift you bring us is you! So really, you did bring us gifts!" That was so sweet! (I did still take them to Target. haha)

Day 1-Flight went off without a hitch. I had a window seat and tried to sleep but that just never happens for me on airplanes. I got my rental car and drove the 1 hour to their house. I stopped for a burger king chicken sandwich for lunch...the line was SO LONG and incredibly slow and then the sandwich was really bad. I ate it anyway because I was so hungry but it was definitely subpar. No issues getting to the house.

Showing me the wildflowers on the side of the hill

Once I arrived, I unpacked a bit and then napped :-). Isabelle had put a little poster up in my room welcoming me. I can't believe I forgot to get a picture! She also made me cards several times and left them on my bed. She's really creative and thoughtful!

Riley remembered me but was thinking I was the fun person who would play with her. I have played with her but the fun person is Frank...poor Riley. We all pitched in and helped Amber clean. I did dishes and Isabelle dried and put them away. The girls showed me their rooms and some of their favorite things.

I've become pretty bad at taking pictures lately. Once Branden got home from work we went out for dinner to a nice restaurant nearby. After dinner, it was late enough the Isabelle was willing to wake up her hamster so we spent some time playing with it. It is a very cute and fluffy hamster and I have already forgotten its name!

We fed it a strawberry and a pea pod

Amber read to the girls (they are in the middle of a chapter book) and we had family prayer and scriptures before the girls went to bed. I watched a show with Branden and Amber and then I was off to bed. Totally exhausted from waking up at 3:15 despite my nap! I found another cute note from Isabelle on my bed.

Day 2: Today was adventure day with grandma. We started with pancakes for breakfast, made by grandma.

We planned to see a movie and go to Target so we chose the theatre closest to Target...which is a 45 minute drive!

We went to see the Little Mermaid. It was very good and we all loved it!

We thought we might have the theatre to ourselves for awhile but other people eventually showed up. Super fun movie!

Then we went to McDonalds for lunch where I let them choose whatever they wanted to eat. They both chose a milkshake for their drink but after having some candy in the movie, neither of them finished it, stating that they had had too much sugar! I like that they can recognize when sugar is making them feel crappy and just stop!

Off to Target next! They had each brought some of their own money to spend. We also had the assignment to buy a set of hooks for the bathroom at home as well as a flotation vest for Kaylee since she has outgrown hers.

As the girls were examining the various toys, I announced my plan to add $10 to their spending limit. They were pretty excited about that since that meant much bigger items.

Kaylee chose a fox stuffy pretty quickly but Isabelle had a harder time and wanted to look at the craft stuff. Kaylee and I were so tired! As Isabelle looked, we sat on the floor and tried to rest. haha!

Eventually Isabelle chose a couple of crafty things but wanted one last look at the toys. She ended up with a couple of things including some cat hamsters (stuffed animals...yes cat hamsters).

With both girls satisfied with their purchases, we trudged to the checkout.

The drive home was good and we listened to a kids entertainer that I found on youtube. We were trying to find a certain song but that never came on. The music was enjoyable though and I found myself singing along.

Once we got home, the girls played with their new items.

I napped. I know, why am I so tired!?!

We had chicken and rice for dinner and then played a new game that we all liked.

It might have been called Bears and Bees or maybe that's the nickname we gave it. ha! I can't remember.

Day 3: Lake Michigan!

It's my first time going to lake Michigan so that was fun. It isn't close: 2.5 hour drive! But Amber had all the food and towels and various things all ready to go and we got the car packed. We stopped by her parents house for some the shade tent and some flotation vests that we needed. While we were there, Daniel and Shannon decided last minute to come as well! They quickly packed and stuffed into the van with us. No issues with the drive. Branden and I were in the front and listened to an audiobook while all the folks in the back chatted and played travel games. Both Daniel and Shannon are super fun and full of energy!

The beach was beautiful and felt like being at the ocean! The water was super calm, which was nice. Apparently that isn't always the case but we basically had the perfect day! It is a bit of a hike from the parking lot to the water but we managed to get everyone and all the stuff down there.

The fun and energetic Daniel andShannon played for hours with isabelle and Kaylee! They played in the (frigid) water, they dug holes in the sand, they buried the girls in the sand and even ended up making a little picnic table out of sand where they ate their lunch. It was so fun!

I relaxed and read and chatted. I did venture into the water a bit but not much past my calves. It really was cold to me! I'm a wimp.

Funnest aunt and uncle award!! (funnest adults actually)

Branden and I chatting in the shade

When we'd had our fill of fun, we loaded up the van and headed home. Partway home we stopped for dinner at Olive Garden

It was a lot of driving for one day but totally worth it. Next time I think we should get an airbnb and stay over though. I wouldn't mind two days there!

Straight to bed when we got home..it was like 11 pm!

I actually fell asleep on my bed, still in my dress and swim suit. Luckily Branden woke me up so I could change or I would've slept all night in a swim suit!

Day 4:

Last day :-( It went so fast!

Branden made the girls waffles for breakfast, though they call them wuffles because they are the frozen kind and don't count as real waffles. haha

Amber had an early meeting so we met her at church. Church was nice with a talk from a recently returned missionary. I got a headache (surprise!) so I went outside and sat in the car with the door open during Relief Society. The weather was really beautiful for my whole visit.

We had lunch of deep dish pizza, played one last game of bears and bees and then it was time to head to the airport.