A day trip, some Fall nesting and even a craft project...

Dave had the day off this past Friday and since it was such a beautiful day, we decided to take a drive with the boys.

We ended up in Leland and strolled around the old fish town.


The sky was so beautiful...the water on Lake Michigan was like glass. We wished we were on Papa's boat heading over to Manitou Island :)


The boys loved this HUGE anchor...

and this HUGE pumpkin!

We also found this pumpkin patch that we had went to a few years ago and could never find again. Carter was asleep in the van so he missed out on the pumpkin picking. Ethan picked out Carter's pumpkin for him :)

After our trip I was so excited to get home and put out some of our pumpkins and start decorating for Fall. I love this time of year!!!

I even decided to get crafty and make this little banner!

These sunflowers are from our garden.

I truly am overflowing with thankfulness. I am so thankful to God for my family and all that He has blessed us with.

Be joyful ALWAYS

Pray continually;

GIVE THANKS

in all circumstances.

1 thessalonians 5:16-18

Happy Fall to you all,

Trish

My Hunter is home...

from bear hunting in the Upper Peninsula AND he got his first black bear! I love all of these pictures. The look on Dave's face is priceless. You can tell he was having the time of his life up there! I am so thankful he was able to go do something he is so passionate about. I am also VERY happy he is back HOME with me and the boys! We missed him so much!

The bear had a rare white V on it's chest. Not sure if I will have a bear rug or a half wall mount in our home. Stay tuned for that :)

Blessings,

Trish

An Unexpected Day Trip

We woke up on Saturday morning to rain and dark clouds. I was bummed because I had my heart set on driving to Shetler Dairy Farm for their "Open Barn" day. Luckily, the sky opened and we decided to make the trip over to Kalkaska to check it out.

Lots of people had the same idea...it was packed!
We enjoyed most of the above...the hay maze, a hay ride and a tour of the plant. We tried to get the boys to get their faces painted but they wouldn't have a thing to do with it.

We enjoyed the farms own milk...white, chocolate and strawberry :) They all were so good!

The boys loved this Jersey cow named Jill. She was so sweet. They fed her hay and got to pet her.

Ethan took this picture of me, Dave and Carter while we waited for our hay ride.
On our hay ride we got to see all of the dairy cows that are all grass fed. We also got to see pigs. The boys really liked the hay ride...Carter especially liked seeing all of the tractors.

After the farm, Dave said we might as well take a trip to Grayling while we're at it. He has always wanted to visit Hartwick State Park to see one of Michigans last stands of old-growth pine forests.

We hiked through the trails of these HUGE trees. It was beautiful.

They were VERY tall. There was even a wedding taking place at a small chapel that was right in the forest.

By the time we left we had two very tired boys who were asleep within minutes on the road. It was an unexpected day trip that was lots of fun. I hope you too have had a great weekend.

Blessings,

Trish

Brothers

Today I took the boys to the park. We had such a great time. The weather was beautiful and the park is right across from the West Bay and there were sailboats everywhere. But, it wasn't even the weather or the Bay that caught my eye. It was the sight of two brothers who are really starting to become buddies...
They were hamming it up for the camera while we were having a little picnic.

They were thrilled because I let them each pick out a treat at Target. They wanted mini marshmallows and strawberry fruit snacks. They of course gobbled them down before they even began on their turkey shaped sandwiches :)

I caught the two of them sitting like this...I wonder what they were talking about???

Ethan and Carter...I pray that as you get older you will truly become best friends and always be there for one another. I love you with all my heart.

Happy Wednesday to you all...

Trish

Growing up

The other day we were playing downstairs and I grabbed the camera and took this picture of Ethan. I didn't notice until I was just looking back through all of the pictures at just how grown up he has become. I love watching him grow...he is becoming such a cool little boy.

It hit me that this is my last year with him home before he takes off to Kindergarten and will be going to school all day every day. This photo was just a reminder at how fast time flies and how much we should cherish each and every moment...the good ones and even the not so good ones.

I hope you are all cherishing those you love today...

Trish

Young State Park - Part 1

Ronnie, Mom and I hanging in front of the camper.
Me and Ethan on the beach. It was gorgeous! Check out the storm coming in...the storm hit later that night but the next day was beautiful.

Carter(Bubby)being silly.

Papa and his boys.

Geeba with all the kids!

We had a great camping trip. More pictures to come...

Blessings,

Trish

Sweet Preservation

Today I canned tomatoes. Dave took the boys so I could have the kitchen all to myself. Well, almost all to myself, Rocko was still here...usually laying right at my feet hoping for a scrap of anything!
Canning is something my good friend, Amy, taught me how to do a couple years ago. I love the "idea" of it and also the outcome of it, but the canning part...it sure is a lot of work!

I canned 7 quarts(just under a half bushel) and still have over a dozen tomatoes left. I even made a small batch of fresh salsa too and hope to can a couple quarts of salsa next week.

Maybe next week I will have the energy to do peaches?!?!?


Signed,
Sick of Tomatoes