Crabs and beer

Last night we went to a seafood restaurant at the end of the bayou where then have delicious boiled crabs and the beer is free! That's right - drink all the keg beer you want as long as you are eating. We had boiled crabs and fried crab fingers. Everything was delicious - but it's kind of like being in a Seinfeld show except instead of the Soup Nazi there is a Crab Nazi. The owner is quite a character.

We also went to Downtown Live at the courthouse square to listen to a band we like. The lead singer is a friend of ours. We had a great time- beautiful night - good music. It's good to be home again.

Michigan warmed up and we had fun!

The rest of our Michigan trip was lots of fun. On Sunday we went to Mackinaw Island where we ate fudge and toured a really cool fort.








Then we went to the Soo Locks in Sault Ste Marie where we watched a 1000 foot ship enter a lock with only 2 1/2 feet to spare on each side.


On Monday we went to a lighthouse on Lake Superior:





and lower Tahquemenon Falls. Jean rowed a boat over to an island where we planned on spending some time in the water but instead ran from mosquitoes. It was really beautiful there and I was really disappointed that no one had warned us about the mosquitoes.





We then traveled to Upper Tahquemenon Falls which was equally beautiful:




Our next stop was Munising, Michigan where we went on a boat tour of Pictured Rocks National Park. It was stunning:



We headed back to Jean's house the next day. We tried to go to a Detroit Tigers baseball game Wednesday night but left early due to a rain delay. I was glad to be home on Thursday - with lots of great memories - especially of family time together. Thanks Jean and Kathy - we had fun!

It's cold in Michigan!!!

So packing mostly shorts and short sleeve blouses wasn't such a good idea for this trip - it's pretty cool here. Daytime in the 60's and nights in the 40's! First thing I did was buy a sweatshirt. So far we have spent our time in Midland - the downtown area is really neat - lots of cute shops and a great park area where there are three bridges that meet in the center of a river- they call it the tridge. We went to the Loons baseball game last night where we won a free burger and saw some great fireworks. The baseball game was good - the loons won. Today we toured the Alden Dow house - he is a famous architect in the area who studied under Frank Lloyd Wright. His house is amazing! Tomorrow we head for the Upper Penninsula. I think the best trips combine visiting with family and seeing a new area!

Cruising

Well - that was crazy fun! We just got back from a four day cruise (Carnival - Fantasy) out of New Orleans - with 55 family members - do I have to say more? We laughed, danced, swam, had a few cocktails, ate, then started all over again the next day. Even though there were 1600 people on the ship - everywhere we went we ran into someone we knew. Our accommodations were nice and the food was good -- not great. Our only disappointment with the ship was the pool was way to small and there was only one so it was always crowded - and it was July heat. We hope to have many more family vacations - and hopefully in the future everyone can come!
Best part of the trip was vacationing with our kids - all six of them - yes Mr O - you are now offically adopted.

Now - a rest at home - then Michigan. Can't wait to see Janice, Jean, and family.

Home again

Gee and I just got home from a week's vacation in North Carolina. We are both a little tired today - from a week of playing with the kids and the long, long, long drive home! Highlights were swimming in the pool, listening to Erin's conversations and her trying to say the name game (at 22 months!), Leah waking me up every morning when she gets up, snuggles while we were reading books, swinging on the front porch swing, hugs, hugs, hugs. I love visiting with Angelle and Mike - just experiencing a glimpse of their life. Everyday life is so precious! Anyway - there is no place like home and it's nice to be here.

We needed a quick easy supper tonight since LSU baseball was on TV so here's what we did. We cup up youkon gold potatoes (3), a few carrots, a vidalia onion, and one stalk of celery - tossed everything in olive oil and kosher salt, and baked it in the toaster oven at 400 for 30 minutes. We bought a baked chicken at Rouse's, brewed some iced tea and with 10 minutes of preparation we had a delicious meal. I love easy suppers! Any ideas for tomorrow night?

I bought a dress!!!

I'm in Orange Beach Alabama with my friends for a beach week and today we had to go to Mobile to bring a friend's daughter to the airport. On the way back we stopped at Dillards for something for a friend and while we were leaving we walked through the long dress section. My friends were asking me what I was going to wear to the wedding and I asked for suggestions and we found the most beautiful dress. They didn't have my size so I tried the size smaller - which normally doesn't work - but it fit beautifully. It a dark sage/gray green with a thin jacket to go over it and tiny beads on the bodice and collar of the jacket. Some of the beads have a little purple in them so hopefully I will blend with the purple bridesmaids dresses. The materials is really sparkly - I just love it. So - that was easy and I am so excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The beach is great - not too hot in the shade and the water is calm. We have had such a good time so far. I am sooooo lucky!!!!!!!!!

Summer time!

It's finally here - I lOVE when school ends and I can just relax - well not really - just get busy with my summer projects and travels. So far I have trips planned to Florida, North Carolina, a cruise, and Michigan. I'm starting to think that work is intefering with traveling so something may have to go - and it won't be traveling!

My main summer project is going to be to clean, organize, and get rid of stuff!!!! Ugh! I hate clutter and that's how this house feels at the moment. So Goodwill/St Vincent's - here I come. I also plan to exercise more this summer - swimming/body pump mainly.

But the main summer project is to help Britt with the wedding!!!!! Hopefully we will get most of it done in the next two months so it won't be too crazy in the fall. I did not raise an undecisive daughter which is great! You are doing a great job so far, Britt.

Well - I guess I better get started...