Michigan March 2025

I went for a quick trip to Michigan because my boss is out of town on a vacation of his own. I was so glad to be able to visit even though it was a quick trip. 

I usually take a direct flight through Delta but it is always expensive. This time, since I didn't have to be at work on Monday and since the girls were still in school, I decided to try to get a cheaper flight. I ended up going with Southwest. I saved some money and I also get a companion pass to use in the fall. So that seemed like a good deal. The downside is that I also had long layovers both ways.

Early morning flight but a beautiful sunrise!

On the way there, I spent 7 hours in the Chicago airport. It wasn't too bad but that's a long time. There was an airport club I could go to but when I tried to go, they said I had to come 3 hours before my flight, no sooner. So I got some steps in, walking all around. I kept hearing an announcement for a non-denominational service. This intrigued me. It was a Thursday at an airport and they have a church service? Well, I had time to kill so I decided to check it out. It was a nice little service, about 30 minutes and there were like 10 people in attendance! I was a little afraid I'd be the only one. Anyway, that was kind of fun. When the 3 hours before flight arrived, I went to the club and it was completely full so I had to join a line. When I finally got in, there was literally one seat at a super crowded table. I squeezed myself in and wondered why I was there. haha. I texted Dion for advice and ended up getting myself a free soda and cookie. 

The food didn't entice me unfortunately. I didn't' stay too long, deciding that the roomy airport was better than this crowded club. The place was full of students from West Point so I snuck a picture for Dion.

The flight was uneventful and I arrived in Michigan and got my rental car. The car place was kind of pushy and sales-y but luckily I had prepaid so that was easier to just get what I had planned.

I arrived at the Hill house right about dinner time and we enjoyed a lovely dinner of stew with some homemade cinnamon rolls for dessert! Then we played a card game I brought and luckily everyone liked it! It was called Tapped Four. I had originally put it on my list for things to get people for Christmas after I played it and liked it...but then it seemed perfect to bring to Michigan so I bought it early.

The next day, the girls took the day off of school and we had a day out. We went to breakfast (McDonalds for pancakes), stopped but the local farm store to check out the chicks, grocery store for movie treats, went to a matinee (Dog Man-better than I expected!).  After the movie, the the girls wanted to eat at Panda Express. Panda is like 40 minutes away but, what the heck, we had nothing else going on! So we drove there and had lunch. 

By the time we got home, Amber was home from work. I took a nap. I have a ridiculous need for naps these days.  Once Branden got home from work we decided to go out for an early birthday celebration for him. He wanted Raising Canes so we drove another 40 minutes or so to get that. It was super yummy! We stopped at a bakery for dessert to bring home. Then when we got home we played Tapped Four again!  

Saturday we slept in. I never sleep in so I was surprised to discover that I had (although the time difference helped I'm sure). The kids did chores around the house for a bit. I can't remember what I did? Did I help? Did I relax while everyone else worked?  LOL literally can't remember. I think I did vacuum.

We went to Hobby Lobby for some browsing and shopping. The girls had some money burning a hole in their pockets and Amber needed some stuff for primary. We had lunch nearby at *can't remember*--one of those restaurants like Chili's that has every kind of thing. We then went to Costco for family grocery shopping. Then home for a nap again!

That night we played games again for awhile and then, suddenly, Kaylee got very sick. She was acting like she wasn't feeling super good...just kind of laying on the couch...but suddenly she began to throw up! She ended up throwing up a bunch of times all evening. I definitely didn't want to get it. Once Isabelle went to bed, the adults watched Severance together which occasional needs to pause to help Kaylee. Poor girl!

The next morning I stayed home from church due to Kaylee being home sick and also my desire to not have a migraine. Kaylee was doing a bit better but still not eating and just hanging on the couch. We watched some tv together and I packed up to head home.

I left around 3 to return the car by 4. My flight was at 6. Sadly I had a delay so I had wished I had made my car return later but I just did some reading. My layover was in Denver this time and I will say that I give Denver top marks for comfortable seating! They had couches and other bench type things all over which is so nice if you have a long layover instead of those uncomfortable chairs with no ability to lay down. My flight got delayed by a couple of hours in the end so I used those couches. There were actually people laying all over the place! And I wondered if this airport is so comfy because they have a lot of delays? haha The place seemed set up for this scenario.

I arrived home around 2 am and didn't get all the way home til after 3. Bed by 3:30 am.  Sooo tired. But so glad I went!

February 23, 2025

 Frank had a business trip starting today so I decided to invite Ryans family over. I also invited Heather, Jansen and Ember since it was Ember and Heather's birthday on the 22nd.

I made stew and homemade rolls. Then I also made a chocolate cake for a simple birthday cake. Turned out I have no powdered sugar (I still can't believe it! It must be hidden somewhere) so luckily I had a bit of store-bought icing that I'd purchased for activity days. I just put a little bit since store bought is never that delicious.

We put 27 candles on the cake for Heather's birthday!

the kids were super cute and we had fun playing games.

We played cards and some bananagrams with Ryan and Kristal before Heather and Jansen arrived

Kristal was awesome and entertained the kids when they tired of us playing cards

Orlando!

We got back from the Bahamas on the 24th. On the 29th Frank informed me that he had gotten invited to a special conference in Orlando on February 10th and that I should go.

I was obviously intrigued but my first thought was "I cannot leave again, I was just gone for 9 days!" But Frank pushed me a little and I decided, what the heck, gotta live right?

So I told him I was in and broke the news to Dr. Free that I would be leaving again for *only* 3 work days. He wasn't super happy but he does know how to just accept reality. So I found people to help cover my shifts and I was booked!

Frank had to be there on Sunday but there were no cheap flights so we ended up flying out on Saturday February 8th. We used points to get a hotel room so it didn't even cost us anything to go a day early. The snafu was that I had promised to babysit William on the 8th and when we were booking the trip I completely forgot. Luckily they were able to get Harley's dad to do it but I felt sooo bad!

Day 1- We arrived in the afternoon of the 8th and took a nap of course. Flying across the country is exhausting for some reason.

We decided to go to Universal City Walk for dinner. We didn't realize what a hassle it is parking and how much walking is involved going there but it was fun nonetheless. We walked around and enjoyed the ambiance. 

We ended up eating at Toothsome Chocolate Emporium. The food was quite good (we got bar seating with no waiting!) and the portions were just right so that we had room for dessert.

We took pictures of the food for my brother's sake. They always like seeing food. Haha!

We got our dessert to go so it wasn't as pretty but we still took a picture. It was very yummy! We were a little chilly actually due to a breeze and evening air...Frank wore shorts and was downright cold while eating the ice cream

It was a lovely night a good start to the trip!

Day 2-Sunday

We decided to drive to St Augustine Florida, about a1.5 hour drive from where we were for a relaxing day of sight seeing. St. Augustin is billed as "the oldest city in the U.S."  We did a walking tour which was fun.

The tour told us all kinds of fact and also stories about the various things we passed.

I also stopped for food and ice cream of course!

The final stop on the walking tour was a really cool fort: Castillo de San Marcos National Monument. If we'd only had our national parks pass it would have been free! I can't count the number of times we've needed that pass but, no, it's sitting in our car at home.

The fort was very cool! They let you walk around all kind of places. 

They. had reenactors there as well.

This was a small area where it is rumored that two people were left to die. The tour made it sound like it was accepted fact but then the signs at the actual fort made it sound like just a story.

Either way, here is Frank reenacting that murder. LOL

It was a tiny little room so I hope no one was locked inside!

The reenactors set off a cannon with like 1/16th the amount of gun powder that would have been used back in the day. It was incredibly loud!

After the tour we drove over to a beach and relaxed on the sand. It was a lovely day out. 

We had no towels or blanket or swimsuits so we were ill prepared but still enjoyed some time napping on the beach.

A bunch of military aircraft flew overhead but I only got one picture.

And no pictures of the beach! gah!

Day 3-Monday

Monday is Annavon's day off so she planned to come over and visit me.

We chatted a bunch, went to a local chocolate factory for a tour and samples. Afterwards we tried some of the most amazing hot chocolate ever (I think they called it something else but my memory is subpar)

We went to lunch at a local restaurant and then just went back and sat by the pool at the hotel.

We really enjoyed just seeing each other again and chatting all day!

I've been getting lots of migraines lately and got one that day so relaxing by the pool in the shade was the perfect solution.

I'm so grateful Annavon came all the way to see me!

Day 4-Tuesday

This was my day to go to a local theme park.

I had a hard time deciding since I only wanted to do one but in the end I chose Universal Studios for the Harry Potter World and I did get a park hopper pass because you really do have to attend both sides!

I took my first ever Lyft ride and got there early. I had no agenda but to enjoy myself.

I walked around and just looked at everything.

The iconic castle:

I rode pretty much every ride. I took the single ride line and had very few long waits.

The longest wait was for the Hagrid motorcycle rollercoaster. I ended up in line next to a really nice lady and her son from England. We chatted for the nearly hour long line. It made it really enjoyable!

Hagrid's hut (seen as you wait in line for the Hippogriff ride):

In line for the Hagrid roller coaster

This is kind of the last stairway before reaching the line. Spooky!

Hogsmeade

The train station

Hogwart's Express

Entering Dragon Alley

I ended up going back and forth a few times. It was fun!

Unfortunately I got another migraine in the afternoon and it was pretty bad. I spent time kind of wandering around the parks just sitting in shady areas and trying to feel better.

They don't have any spots to lay down or truly relax but I found a few chairs or benches here or there.

I also rode a few rides that looked calm.

I stood by the water ride for quite awhile and let the mist cool me.

I kept thinking that I should just leave and go sleep at the hotel but I knew that if it got better I would wish I had stayed. Plus the Lyft ride was like $20 bucks each way!

I ate at the Leaky Cauldron which was cool and kind of dark so that was nice.

I did eventually start feeling better, thank heaven!

I walked through the whole castle. There was hardly any line for that ride so I just meandered as I wished. If people came up I just let them go by.

I loved it

Mirror of Erised

Greenhouses

Love all the details!

There are whole scenes that happens in several of the rooms but I guess you only get to see them if the line is slow enough. I made sure to stay to see everything!

The portrait of the Fat Lady

How cool are the candles?!

The is where the ride loads. I rode it once but the second time I just left at this point. No sense upsetting my head.

I crossed back over one last time and just enjoyed walking around for the rest of the time til closing.

I just really enjoyed it

I got a little lost leaving the park and ended up walking all over that park before exiting.

It was actually very nice out and a good end to the day.

I may have been asleep before Frank got home. I honestly don't remember!

Day 5-Wednesday

The event had a big party on the last day and I came as a guest. They rented out a whole section of the city walk (I spent a lot of time at Universal!). We had dinner, entertainment, drinks and desserts.

There were several different venues with different types of entertainment.

We spent some time listening to a band that played reggae music.

They had these two people on really tall stilts who walked around, danced and interacted with the guests. 

They were amazingly comfortable on those stilts!

The other fun thing was the karaoke bar.

It was not your usual karaoke bar!

They had a live band, backup singers/dancers and fancy lights.

Frank said it wouldn't be that fun since people tend to sing terribly but honestly I could have spent all night in there! 

I had no desire to sing but I loved singing along at my seat and just enjoying the fun atmosphere.

One of Frank's coworkers sang and he was actually really good!

We flew home Thursday morning fairly early. 

We went for breakfast and then headed out.

We actually got to the airport pretty early so we found the airport lounge (we have access from our credit card) and we got breakfast and relaxed.

We sent Dion the pics below to show him our good luck getting into a lounge since he loves Airport Lounge Life

Frank RELAXING

It was such a fun trip to me.

Just relaxing and doing whatever I wanted was so amazing!