Lake House

We had a wonderful weekend in Traverse City with the four families that came out here to Midland together from school. The Reeves were wonderful hosts and were so generous to invite us to the lake house. I am still exhausted from all of the fun that included: great food, wave runners, swimming, water skiing and tubing, lawn games, the baby pool, s'mores and chit chat around the fire pit and did I mention great food?. I haven't been water skiing in years and I am so sore but it was well worth the pain. All the guys went tubing and I don't think I've laughed that hard in years. Its hard to tell what muscles are sore from water sports or from laughing at the water sports.

Corey water skiing

Playing in the kiddie pool

Life jacket safety!

Big City Visitors

Max's Aunt and Uncle from the Big Apple rolled into our small town on Friday afternoon. On their trek across country from New York City to Salt Lake City they made a small detour to our parts. Who thought that almost every member of my family would happen upon Midland this summer? Max was so excited. Grant is his new best friend and wanted to be held by him the whole time. Who can blame him when its a full foot higher than when he's in his Mom's arms? Or any Anderson's for that matter. The view must be better up there. It was great to see you two and we are so glad you stopped in. Max with Uncle Grant & Aunt Jamie who came bearing this gift- an Ugly Doll. This is the ugly worm who IS ugly and has an awesome comb over. Max loves it.

Max, Heart, Milkshake

Need I say more?

Mackinac Island Fun

Last weekend we visited Mackinac Island (the last "c" is silent). No cars are allowed on the island which has more or less paused the island in the Victorian era. It was a great little weekend getaway. There is a beautiful old hotel called The Grand Hotel. The grounds are awesome and we loved walking around and checking it out the porch which is the longest in the world. Unfortunately it also has a grand price for holiday weekends so we found a "charming" little B&B that suited our student budget. We bicycled around the island (Max in tow). I have not been on a bike for a while and apparently a tandem bike is not the way to ease your rear into the world of biking. We were feeling it for days. We also enjoyed famous Mackinac Island fudge. Nothing eases a pain in the rear like sweets in the belly. Thanks to Ali and Pam for joining us on our travels. Here are some pictures of some favorites from the trip.

Oh Beautiful....Patriotic Jello Mold.....

Nothing says I have pride in my country like a patriotic jello mold! For the past two years I have celebrated the 4th of July with Lane (my sister) and each year we attempted to make a lovely, tri-color, patriotic jello mold. I say attempted because each year it has been a flop. When I say flop I mean at some point the layers slid apart and flopped into a patriotic mess. This is last year's attempt which was lovely until it slid apart during transit. I blame the Texan summer heat (not the cooks of course.) This is wishing you all a happy 4th full of BBQs, sparklers, fireworks, and a patriotic jello mold (if you are lucky). Go 'Merica!

Road Trip: First Stop, Sharon Vermont

Making our way from Boston to Canada we stopped at the Joseph Smith birth place in Sharon, Vermont. Although there isn't much left to see of the home were he was thought to be born, the trip was well worth our while. The land there is beautiful and the visitors center is very quaint and picturesque. Missionaries are only too eager to give you a guided tour and tell you about the granite shaft that serves as the memorial. I couldn't help but think that although the granite obelisk is great, it was a huge pain to get to the site and I personally would have been extremely tempted to call it quits (and leave the shaft in the quagmire after all they went through to get it there).

Now that you think I am a bad person, I am going to dig myself in a deeper hole by telling you that my favorite part wasn't the monument itself at all but the lovely tree lined drive that leads to the site. It is really beautiful and I like it best. Sharon, Vermont: glad we stopped for this beautiful little spot, granite shaft although meaningful and thoughtful- a huge pain in the butt, and I loved the quaint little tree lined drive and buildings. Bathrooms were also top notch. Above is the aforementioned tree lined drive. Below Corey and Max are stomping around in what is left (the fireplace hearth and some cornerstones) of the home were Joseph Smith was born. It was nice but cool here in early June. December would be fff-freezing!