Petoskey

A few weeks ago, I had to go to Petoskey to work. The mediation I had to go to took less than an hour, so for the most part we got a fun last minute trip up north for a night.  This picture was at Petoskey State Park.  We went there in the morning to walk around a bit and looked for Petoskey stones.  We were some of the only people there.

The hotel we stayed at was just a few miles outside of Petoskey, in Alanson.  It was called Staffords Crooked River Resort and was truly a gem.  This was the view from our balcony. Kayaks and paddle boats were free at the hotel.  We took the kids kayaking for the first time.  We started at this launch area and you go all along with river and into connecting lakes. If we wanted to or had more time we could go pretty far, but we just took a little trip.

It was like a log cabin. My kind of wilderness.  No camping involved.  There was a nice fire pit, indoor pool with a mini waterfall and hot tub and good breakfast the next day.  There was also a popcorn machine in the lobby and billiards/games room. We liked it a lot. It was very peaceful.

Luke pondering life by the sea.

Luke got pretty good and skipping stones.  

We had the best luck finding Petoskey stones in the water.

Most of the rocks we found were actually Charlevoix stones.  A little different than Petoskey stones.  

4th of July and Lexi

Eating 4th of July red white and blue pancakes with America pajamas.

At the liberty fest this year, the kids "won" fishes.  Anna actually just walked up and took one and didn't realize that no one actually paid for her to play the game to get a fish.  We let her keep it.  Luke's fish was named Joe and didn't last that long.  Anna's fish, Lexi, lasted a few months.  While Lexi was around, Oliver spent most of the day staring and sometime batting at his new friend.  Anna liked Lexi but always seemed willing to feed it to other animals and when Lexi started to look like she wasn't going to make it, Anna was more than ready for us to flush her down the toilet so she could go see Joe.  Hopefully we won't get any more fish.  

Annual botanical gardens trip

The annual picture by the puffy flowers. 

Luke wanted to learn to take pictures while we were on a walk at the botanical gardens.  I gave him a tutorial and he took a few good pictures.  I think this picture he took of his hat is quite good!

The proposal bench. Tim looks proud and confident of his decision to propose to me.  

Ballet recital

Anna nailed her recital this year.  She was in the front center most of the time because she was so good.  She really improved over the year.

Anna with her friend, Emma.

Anna with Camila, who will be in ballet again with her this year.  One of her best friends.

On the way home we saw the best rainbow I have ever seen. It was there the whole way home.  

End of school year activities

Luke with his robotics team, the "Rocket Cats".  Luke helped come up with this name.

At the end of the season for robotics they had a big event that they learned things from the high school robotics crew and presented their work to judges.  Luke took the lead in answering the questions from the judges.  We were proud of his confidence and leadership.  

This year Anna and Luke had their end of the year musicals on the same night.  Anna was a tomato.  Luke was a green alien.  Neither wanted to have a solo role.  At all.  Anna was okay the concert and seemed a little excited.  Luke is really not into these concerts.

He did not want to be there.

Easter, Teddy and a recital

Teddy is one!  He is a pretty great baby.  He's always in a good mood.

Luke takes really good care of him. 

Anna had another piano concert.  She did great! She didn't want a lot of pictures though.