U.P. Summer Vacation (Part 1)

In August, we took a trip to the U.P. for a week.  Every time we go there, it seems like we are always in a hurry to get there and back, as it is usually a holiday and time is precious.  It was so nice to take our time getting there and getting home and have no schedule while we were there!  It was a very relaxing and rejuvenating trip for all of us!

We drove to St. Ignace the first night and camped at the Straits State Park.  We had a beautiful nighttime view of the Mackinaw Bridge.  It was gorgeous!

We had just enough time to build a campfire, make smores, and set up our tent before it got dark.  It was our first family camping trip and Emmie did great!  She made a friend, slept well through the rain, and LOVED the experience.

We planned on going to Tahquamenon Falls the next morning on the way to Hancock, but because it was still raining, we decided to just keep driving.  When we got to Munising it had stopped raining, so we went to Horseshoe Falls.  Emerson enjoyed seeing the trout pond.  She even got to feed them!

We visited Jeff, Lesley, Noah, and Koen the next day.  They had rented a cottage on the lake.  The water was so clear, it was absolutely beautiful!

A live clam!

Grandma Glo with her oldest grandbabies

Cute Koen!!

Jeff, Lesley, Noah, Koen, Nana, Nick, Kris, and Emmie

The next day, we walked from Hancock over the bridge into Houghton (on our way to breakfast at the Suomi...yumm!)

Just after we crossed the bridge, we watched it go up to let the Ranger go through to Isle Royale.  Emmie was so excited to have a front row seat!

It was a foggy morning (the photo credit goes to Mary Jane for this one, but I just loved this picture and had to put it on the blog)

Emerson's First Fishing Trip

Nick took Emerson fishing this summer for the first time.  She was very excited to use her pink Barbie fishing pole!  She sat very still in her chair for a short while, but didn't catch anything but weeds.

 Daddy caught a little bluegill and she was quite excited!

Then she was more interested in chasing dragonflies, playing with sticks, and watching the swans :-)

 

Happy Birthday, Grandpa Ross!

The Ross gang got together in July to celebrate my dad's birthday.  And yes, I'm just now putting pictures online...sorry!  I'm trying to catch up and still stay in chronological order.  Please bear with me!

Emmie helped Grandpa open his birthday cards and gifts

Grandma and Grandpa Ross with all their grandchildren

Most of the kids: Steve, Nick, Pam, Kristine, and Lori (Gary was working)

Sweet hugs for Grandma

Our waiter was kind enough to follow us outside for a group photo :-)

4th of July

We had a wonderful 4th of July weekend at the cottage in Spring Lake.  The whole Richardson crew was there, along with all of the Mayras, even Grandpa Mike and Grandma Lisa were here from China!  We are so blessed that we go to spend such precious time with family and friends.

The Mayra family 

Grandma Lisa is extremely patient (and brave) to let two 3 year olds help her make a raspberry pie!

Emmie and Izzie in their matching dresses--too cute!

Emerson was Aunt Sarah's girl that weekend!

3 of the 4 Mayra cousins posing for a picture

Collecting candy at the July 4th Parade in Ferrysburg

Koen, Noah, and Emerson at the parade

In addition to swimming, jumping on the water trampoline, boat and jet ski rides, Emmie had lots of fun in the sand.  She and Olivia decorated this beautiful castle!

Husking sweet corn for dinner

After a delicious cookout and decorating cupcakes, the kids got to try out the sparklers!

Jeff, Noah, Lesley, Koen, Nick, Kristine, and Emerson

One of the highlights of the weekend was a trip to the Front Porch Ice Cream Shop where we polished off a 5 foot banana split...most of the kids decided that vanilla cones sounded better!

Strawberry Picking

Yesterday, my friend Katie invited us to go strawberry picking with her and her kids.  Emerson doesn't like strawberries (or many fruits for that matter) and Jayce (who hangs out with us on Thursdays) can't eat strawberries, but they both really wanted to go!  So we went to Morse Brothers and picked about 8 lbs.  I haven't been strawberry picking since I was a kid.  It was fun!  We took them home and made freezer jam and then made lots of topping for strawberry shortcake.  Yum!

Emily, Emerson, and Aiden are ready to fill up their baskets

Emmie picked a few and emptied them into my box.  She then filled her basket up again (from my box) and emptied it into Katie's box.  She and Emily decided this was much more fun than picking them off the plants!

Drink break!  The plants looked thirsty too, so Emmie gave them a sip.

I'm not sure why, but these 3 look like they're up to something here

Emerson and Jayce made the biscuits for strawberry shortcake when we got home

Tonsillectomy

At Emerson's last visit with her ENT, he noticed that her tonsils were so large they were almost touching each other.  This has been causing her snoring and sleep apnea, so he suggested removing them.  Her surgery was scheduled for this past Monday.  Grandma Ross came to help out and brought Emmie some new pajamas and a special new quilt that had been prayed over by their church. 

Reading with Grandma the night before her surgery

This was right after her surgery when she was waking up in the recovery room.  Grandma and Mom got to be there with her and watch movies until it was time to head home.

The afternoon of her surgery...she wanted to have a tea party with Grandma and played most of the afternoon!

The day after surgery.  She still felt good, but was just a little bit subdued from her usual bubbly self.  We spent lots of time making play-doh cakes.

So proud of all of her creations!

She was such a trooper and we are so proud of her!  I pray the rest of her recovery goes smoothly and this helps her snoring/sleeping issues and helps keep her healthier overall!