Alpena trip

We planned to stay home last weekend, expecting Chris home on Saturday after two weeks of working in Brazil. But at the last minute, he found out that he had to stay an extra week, and we were all very bummed. Until I thought of the crazy idea to go up to Alpena for the weekend! It was so fun, and I'm glad we got to spend Father's Day with Dad/Grandpa.

On Saturday morning, we went to the Farmers Market first. Then there was some silliness with girls on GG's bike:



The kids would run around and around, and Justin would chase them!



We stopped in the grand opening of the new cupcake store downtown: I think GG's shifty eyes are looking at the bird that's loose in the store!



Where's Jessica?




So cute!!!



Then we toured the new Meijers (it's a big deal in Alpena), and stopped by Home Depot to see Dad at work!! He led us straight to the sale section. I got a beautiful rhododendron for $5!



Later that afternoon, we went to Presque Isle for the wooden boat show:



Mostly Chris Crafts. They were from all over, and some were super old like 1920's.



This was my fave:



Cousin pile!



Ice cream at The Portage restaurant:



Visiting the old lighthouse:



We climbed to the top!



Well, everyone but grandma and grandpa:



On the catwalk:



Inside the tower:



Where's my selfie stick when I need it??!!



Going down:



Playing in Lake Huron:



My little rock hopper (who got wet feet):



Ringing the bell:



Family by the old lighthouse (built in 1840):



Trying handstands on the lighthouse. This is a new tradition ever since the St Louis Arch!













Then we went to the "new" lighthouse, built in 1870. That doesn't seem so new to me!

The girls thought it would be fun to spit off the railing. Nice kids. Thankfully it was super windy so it was carried far far away.



Selfie at the top:



Beautiful girls:



Doesn't she look like a supermodel here?



At the base:



Mom took one with me in it! Dad and Mary have a shipwreck soda.



More handstands:

















We also toured the new keeper's house/museum, but no pics.

Every night we took Beau on a walk to the pier. The girls found huge toads on the beach!






On Fathers Day, we went to church, raked the neighbor's yard, then Dad had to go to work for a few hours. The rest of us went to the beach!!




Even though the water temp was only 58, the kids went swimming! Meg even went under!



Jess made lots of cinnamon sugar "donuts" for us:



The girls played a ton with Hazel! They got to see her crawl and pull up to standing! Both are brand new feats! Plus, Hazel is the best dancer ever. If she hears music, she starts bouncing! So cute!



Singing Happy Father's Day:



Enjoying the chocolate ganache cake. Or "nosh" cake as Meg called it.



Four years ago, Megan wore these panda PJs, and baby Greyson LOVED them! He always tried to grab the pandas and eat them! So we had Jess try with Hazel, and she loved the pandas, too!



I went home Monday morning to do bug work for a few days. Mom and Dad are keeping the girls, because they all wanted more time up north. They'll all come home on Wednesday to see the Rochester Hills fireworks!


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