U.P.ers Eh...

We headed out for vacation to the U.P. on Saturday July 17th. We got as far as Howard City before our first break down....we were stuck along the entrance ramp to 131. The Wilson's were having brake issues....We drove to the local auto parts store (about 10 min.) and the guys went to work on the brake line in the parking lot. The girls and kids hit the local dollar stores for a couple hours.And we patiently waited along the sidewalk for our ride to be ready.After a 10 hour drive and two more trailer issues we arrived! YEAH! Everyone did great...we reminded ourselves often it's not a race...it's a journey! God so graciously provided the stores we needed all along the way...thank you Lord! And He provided Steve with some great abilities...he's like McGyver!!!

Wandering Wheels in Munising was our destination. It was a nice campground with a pool....and showers! We didn't have the best sight in the campground...but we made do!

Once we arrived, the maps came out...to plan our next days adventures.....
Here we are praying for safety and protection on our ride. Everyday we would pray together before we left. Kelly & Daren geared up for a day of riding. Steve getting us readyOur first day out all together...all 11 quads. The Steve Buckner family, The Craig Buckner family and the Wilsons..... We were headed for Autrain Falls...and we found it. Let me just take a rabbit trail a moment...riding quads to a location is not as easy as one might think!!! We had maps and more maps and three GPS made for hiking/trails....you get the idea! But there are trails that are no longer currant (grown shut), beaver dams, holes (big!) and the like! It's not always an easy task to get from point A to point B!!

So anyway....back to the Falls...here are some mini falls that were along the path to the big falls...Here they are...Autrain Falls. We had a fun time here....it was a nice break. We could get right down in the falls, it was icy cold. They have built a power plant here so they have re-routed a lot of the water around the falls. It was probably a pretty fantastic falls before that. None-the-less we enjoyed it anyway! Actually, it was one of the better falls we could really enjoy (get in it!)A picture we took of Tyler...do you think we should use it for his Senior picture?? Do you like the rain pants??Playing around! "The Girls"I'll leave you with one last picture!

This is my seat on the back of Steve's quad...I put a sticker with pink rhinestones on the back of the seat. I snuck out to the trailer and put it on about a week before we left...when Steve found it, he swore his friend Daren put it on there...and I didn't tell him differently! Oh, did I enjoy that phone conversation! I will post the vacation pictures in two or three more posts! More to come....

It's coming...

A 'vacation post' is coming....so many pictures to pour over. Check back soon!

Another Extreme Makeover 2010

Now it's Troys turn.....
When he sat down to get a 'trim' he said he wanted it cut short...what?...are you sure?

The before shot...with a pink clippiewith the bangs...he's a girl!Mullet...The finished look...wow..doesn't that look great!side view with glasses!

I kind of miss his long hair! Tyler went through the long hair stage..and now he wear's his short. I'm sure Trent will go through this stage too. Don't sweat the small things in adolescents!!

Extreme Makeover 2010....

About every 3 years Janice needs a good haircut. I mean not just a light trim....a real cut..like bush waking. She has so much hair and thick, like you have never seen!

So here are the before pictures.... front view side view....We cut it on the deck to keep the mess outside..I know it doesn't look like much...but there was...enough to stuff a pilllow...Drum Roll please...the new Janice.....

Ta-Da!! Doesn't it look great!

It took 10 years off her age...don't you agree?

WOW..she looks soooo much like our mom!

Side view....

She is trading her pony tail holders for some mousse!!

July 4 in review

Crockery Lake had their fireworks show on Saturday Night. So we gathered around 5 to eat and prepare for the show. Here we are watching some of the "pre-show" ...do you realize how many people set off fireworks around the lake...A LOT!! John, Janice, Arie & Andrew were able to come up from IN for the long week-end....Here are toooo many people on the swing....needless to say, they broke it! Steve, Troy Tyler & AlishaBTW.....in case any of you were wondering why we didn't decorate the boat for the boat parade this year...I'm still bitter about last years competition. It's still painful to write about. We should have won!

Nothing says 'Happy 4th of July' like a pontoon boat ride! Captain Steve took us for a spin around the lake.Captain Trent brought us safely back to shore! Tyler & AlishaWe even enjoyed a boat load of fireworks from Indiana!....courtesy of the Grifffioens. Here is Trent with a giant sparklers...it does not have a flame on it like it appears!On Sunday the 4th we actually headed to Michigan Adventure...we received 6 tickets to go for free so we headed over to Muskegon after church. We were able to take Arie & Andrew with us too. We stopped at Wendy's on the way over for lunch. We got to the park around 2pm and it was like a bazillion degrees! Trent and I hung together..that's why I only have pictures of him. He rode 4 rides before we headed over to the water park. He likes hanging out at the tree house area...along with the entire state of MI. We soon found out why so many people were there..they gave a discount to veterans! It was so hot everyone was in the water park....Steve and Troy said all the rollercoaters were empty....good for them!! What is a day with out Dippin Dots! We had to go to 2 stands before we could find 'Rainbow' flavored.

Troy, Trent and Arie in the Gondola for the Ferris Wheel We all survived the heat and had a fun time together.....

Where's My Baby?

Tyler turned 18 on Saturday! WOW...where did the years go!

Well, to celebrate he wanted to go play Mini Golf. I set out to find coupons...lol! I found some in my Entertainment Book....so we headed to AJ's funpark. Here we are starting out....

Grandma Elsie... Troy taking a picture of himself

Steve trying to putt it in....

Tyler & Alisha Steve & Troy trying a racing game We stopped at McDonald's for a sundae on the way home

Then everyone came back to our house for Lasagna.

The Birthday Prince!

And of course, Cake and Ice Cream!!! and not just one cake..three!

Tyler and Alisha made the soccer cake and the Ice Cream cake.

Happy Birthday Tyler...We Love You!!