Spontaneous Trip "Home"

Most of you probably already know my little secret, but we were in Michigan this month!  It was a VERY, VERY last minute trip, and I honestly did not let anyone up there even know our plans of coming until we were on our way.  Jonathan needed to go up for work, and it just happened to work out that the kids and I could tag along this time.  I have been dying to get up there since it has been so long so I jumped at the opportunity to go.  I had 36 hours from the time I was told we were going until it was time to pull out of the driveway.... and I had three kids to not only take care of for those 36 hours but to do laundry and pack for!

Our drive up went much better than expected.  None of my children have ever been good car riders and somehow Ryan has still managed to be our worst at riding in his carseat so we were expecting the worst.  We still were when an hour into the trip Ryan was already screaming and Justin was asking to get out of the car.  In all though, the kids did great.  What we expected to have to split into two days, we did all in one and were in Michigan by 10 pm with three pretty cute and tired kids!

 

Since we arrived early, we didn't visit with anyone the first day and Jonathan didn't have to work so we enjoyed the hotel pool and drove the kids around all our old neighborhoods to show them where mommy and daddy grew up.

Justin actually took off swimming during our trip up there and our several visits in the pool.  He made such great progress!

We were able to see Brooke and spend some time at Kensington (and no, Brooke does not yet have a baby.. she was wearing her friend's little one but she is expecting in February!  yay!)

Had I been in Michigan alone, I would have spent every last second visiting everyone I know, however, it just wasn't possible to do that with three little kids.  They needed downtime and naps on occassion (as it was, they were soo overtired by the time we were ready to head home) so we spent time at the hotel.  Our room faced a courtyard and the kids loved playing out there!

We visited with one of my oldest friends that grew up pretty much in my neighborhood with me.  I don't even remember how little we were when we met.. 1st grade or maybe before that?  Anyway, Katelynn had a blast playing with Kelli's little girl, Isabel.

.. and Justin and Chase played lots of trucks (they are about 7 months apart I think)

Chase, Kelli, Jessica, Ryan, and Brooke

While Jonathan did work at least 11 or more hours a day, we still got to see him for dinner most nights and enjoyed some pool time on the weekend with him.

Kara joined us at the pool Saturday morning!

And of course we seen the Anderson clan!  Scottie and Katelynn hadn't seen each other since they were 1 and 2 years old!

Last time we were all together, we had one child (and one on the way) and the Anderson's had two.  Now we have six kids between our two families and Steph is expecting one more next month!  It was lots of fun getting all the kids together!

Uncle Dan and his new girlfriend drove all the way from Kalamazoo one day to go to lunch and swim with us!

Most of the time we were eating all the food we miss in Michigan (Coney Island, chinese, Anthony's breadsticks...) but sometimes we just hung low and had PB&J picnics in the hotel.

For the first time, my kids were able to meet some more second cousins!  Aubrey and Aleyna are only 5 months older than Katelynn!

Aunt Brenda and Ryan

How lucky were we that my Grandma was in Michigan from Tennessee at the same time we were?  She was able to meet Ryan before he gets too big!

Our last day there, we were able to get see some of the Clarks and the kids played with more second cousins.  Uncle Dan gave us a boat ride and yes, my children were hanging off the back of it!

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Second Cousins:  Katelynn, Justin, Ryan, Olivia (Olivia and Ryan are about a year older than each of my two)  P.S.. yes, I do teach my daughter how to be a proper lady when wearing a dress but I guess I missed reminding her this time around and well, I don't have any other shots of the kids to post so I guess we'll chalk this one up as one of my failed parenting moments

Aunt Mary bought all the kids matching shirts (the girls had butterflys).  Ryan and Justin were sporting theirs for a picture!

Tanya met us up at the mall one day for a few hours.  I didn't have my good camera so the shots aren't that great.

The Anderson and Miller kids (minus Ryan and Miss Skylar who is still baking!)

The Miller and Anderson Families at Rainforest Cafe!

We had such a good time in Michigan.  It honestly made me wish that we lived there (although I do love Charlotte and everything and everyone we have here too!).  For those of you reading this that I wasn't able to come see while we were there, I do apologize.  I promise there are a huge list of all of you that I wasn't able to contact and make it out to see that I would have loved to.  Our time always goes too fast and this trip was so last minute, I couldn't plan it very well.  I am hoping it isn't another five years before we make another trip up there!  (Although the car ride home was awful so I have no intentions of trying it again in the next few months.. haha)

I have road trip pictures too but they are on my cell phone still so maybe they will make it on Facebook at least!