We welcomed a new four-legged family member this August! Daisy Ridley is also known as Daisy Mae, Daisy Mae Cooper,  Days-Days, Daisy-Dog, Princess, our Delicate Flower, and Stretch. She is a dachshund-beagle mix and is around 5 years old. 

Mikey and my favorite holiday is the Fourth of July. We enjoyed it as Mikey has for two decades, at one of our favorite places in the world, a family friend's cottage. The cottage is located on a small lake about an hour north of Grand Rapids. We love this place so much that I dedicated an entire blog post to it, dated September 2022. 

Like most years, we brought our travel trailer up from our seasonal camping lot and enjoyed an especially long weekend with some of our chosen family. This year was unusually quiet all around the lake because the 4th landed on a Tuesday. Mikey, his best friend, and his best friend's dad took a break from doing a big fireworks show because of the unusual day. We did enjoy fireworks from several other families across the lake who put on their own show. 

Later in July, I took a trip down to Atlanta. It was a quick trip, but I enjoyed being able to see the performing arts camp recital of my niece, Sara Kate. The theme of the week was Willy Wonka Jr. Sara Kate laughed as she told my mom (her Gooosie) that she was playing one of Charlie's grandmothers. Sara Kate and her campmates did a superb job with the sets, dancing numbers, and acting. 

Another highlight of the summer was a long awaited visit from Julia's nephew, Jackson. He has been asking to fly up to Michigan on his own for several years, but with the pandemic and his age, we had to wait a while. 

As he is 13, we wanted him to be a part of putting the schedule together for his time with us. I made a calendar of the days that he would be here as well as boxes that represented all of our options of activities. Their size and shape represented how much time they would take. For example, the box to play video games would only take up a third of the day, while the box to spend the night at the camper was irregularly shaped to take up the afternoon and next morning. It was a joy to see his eyes light up with all his options after waiting such a long wait. He unsurprisingly wanted to go to a minor league baseball game and the local go kart park/ arcade. But surprisingly, he wanted most mornings to be lazy and full of video games and hanging out at home. 

We were ecstatic that he wanted to spend one night at the camper. We love camping and were excited to share this hobby with him. Once we got everything settled in at the campground, we sat in our camper chairs and started chatting. We gave him a few options of activities and he said he just wanted to hang out for a while. I was overjoyed that instead of playing mini-golf, swimming, or going to a waterpark, he wanted to spend time with us. I am so grateful I get to be his Aunt Do (his nickname for me).

Knowing that most teenagers love fire, I planned hot dogs and s’mores over the campfire for dinner. Jackson was very happy to help Mikey build a campfire.

We had a great visit with Jackson and, before he'd left, we were already making plans for him to come back in 2024!

We celebrated my birthday with a trip to the Henry Ford Museum in Detroit. We have visited the Henry Ford many times as we have family friends that live nearby. The museum had a special exhibit about Julia Child, one of my favorite personalities. As so many of their exhibits do, it did a great job of telling Julia and Paul Child's story and gave great context to what made Julia so exceptional. 

During our visit, we were also able to tour the Ford manufacturing plant. Mikey loves to learn how things work and this tour took that to a whole new level. Mikey previously worked for a car parts manufacturer so he had some context for how different factories made different parts. He enjoyed seeing how everything comes together on such a massive scale.

I love how Mikey's brain is always tinkering and thinking through problems. His love of cars, machines, and anything with gears was palpable on this tour. It was a joy to listen to him share his knowledge of the car manufacturing process and all the fascinating systems that make it work. 

We were excited for this summer to start because it was the first year we enjoyed a seasonal campground. This meant we could use our camper like a cottage, leaving it in one spot all summer long. Our campground is located about an hour north of Grand Rapids.

We think we have the best spot in the entire campground for two reasons.

First, our site backs up to a national forest. We have the best of both worlds with all the campground amenities while also enjoying the tranquility and calm of remote camping. Mikey angled our camper towards the forest so we could wake up every morning to gorgeous this view. Julia enjoyed working remotely from the camper on several occasions.

 

Secondly, we had the best neighbors in the Wolfs, our longtime friends and parents to Teddy’s best dog friend. Mikey engineered a dog run that spans the width of both sites. The dogs’ harnesses are attach to a rope, above our heads, running between two trees. The dogs can roam without getting into too much mischief or tripping any children.

In addition to spending time with the Wolfs, we also invited our niece, Addison, up for a day at the campground. Julia made a visual calendar for her visit. This was helpful in keeping us organized while also showing Addi all the options of activities.

Addi chose to do the rock panning activity before playing on the playground. We spent a stupendous afternoon at the pool and waterpark. She is already making plans about what she wants to do next time!

Beyond camping with them, we also hosted the two of the Wolf children for a sleepover while their parents enjoyed a night away. Julia loves sharing her joy cooking. Oliver and Amelia took turns making their own pizzas. Julia had another plan for dinner, but Oliver remembered making his own pizza during a sleepover a year earlier and asked to do it again. Of course, we could!

Mikey set up two air mattresses in the living room for an extra special movie night. We are not sure if they had more fun catching popcorn in their mouths or watching the movie.

For lunch, Julia made dinosaur-shaped sandwiches. It was a great time for all! We love making memories with our nieces and nephews!

The warmer weather of spring has allowed for Mikey and I to spend more time in our garage wood shop. We’d realized it had been a while since we spent quality time making together and put aside a Saturday to spend together in the wood shop. Mikey and I spent the day building a table that was just the right size for our 3 year old nephew. 

Mikey has also been busy building me some odd projects around the house. On a recent antiquing trip, I pointed out a blanket stand I liked. Mikey, being the builder he is, took a picture of it and made me a version out of a more attractive wood.

A wall in our living room has been bare for the six years we’ve lived here. I was having trouble finding the right inspiration for this wall. I decided I wanted floating shelves so I could rearrange the pictures and trinkets as needed. Mikey built me a set out of walnut. I haven’t decided on final picture placement yet, but I love how inviting and interesting the wall has become. 

This spring, I have also rediscovered my love for my embroidery sewing machine. I have been working off a few patterns from Etsy, making felt books for my niece’s and nephew’s future birthdays. The felt books are accompanied by finger puppets for storytelling. I love how the lack of words in the books invites you to make up your own version of the story. 

My sister and her family were taking a road trip down to Florida over their spring break. I made some car activities to entertain the kiddos. Each kiddo had five activities to play with by themselves and six to play as a family. The activities included a travel journal, coloring pages, and dry erase activities. My favorite activities included a portable baseball game for my sports-obsessed nephew, a dry erase monster drawing game, and a Disney-themed “would you rather” game. 

This spring we also got to babysit our niece and nephew while their parents were on a date night. I prepared a game to move their bodies, working on their big muscles, and then we decorated chocolate-covered pretzels to work on their fine motor skills. I loved seeing how focused our two-year old niece got while placing the sprinkles just exactly right. I cherish this one on one time with them.

While we (Teddy especially) enjoy the snowy weather, we are excited for the beginning of our favorite seasons, grilling and camping!  The minute it was warm enough, Mikey fired up the grill with steaks, chicken kabobs, and vegetables. Since the end of March, he has grilled three or four times. 

We have also opened up our travel trailer. This is our second travel trailer and fourth year of glamping (glamorous camping). This season we have a seasonal lot about an hour north of Grand Rapids. We are excited to be in the same seasonal lot as two sets of friends, one of which is right next door to our camper. We are hoping to spend as much time as we can in our home away from home. 

We've had a busy and wonderful holiday season.

The holiday season was kicked off with hosting our annual Friends-giving.Two of Mikey's oldest friends and their families enjoyed a mac and cheese and mashed potato bar. With so many food preferences and allergies, we love hosting these "make your own adventure" meals to accommodate all. This year we set up a couple of folding tables in the living room to accommodate our growing group. While we see these families throughout the year, it is our favorite group to kick off the holiday season with.

We celebrated Thanksgiving in Atlanta with my family. Teddy joined us for the road trip and enjoyed looking out the window between snoozes. It was a quick and busy trip, but we are so grateful for the time together.

 
On our way home, we checked something off Mikey's bucket list and stopped at the Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, KY. Mikey enjoyed learning about the manufacturing process and comparing the mechanical improvements between the different models. I enjoyed seeing how the time period is reflected in the design of each model and the unique stories behind a few cars. Teddy enjoyed getting a break from the car and making new friends at a local doggie daycare.

This was our first real Christmas tree in a few years and all three of our pets enjoyed its smells and lights. Thankfully, no one tried to climb it.

Mikey and I had a pre-Christmas date and enjoyed seeing the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. It was a show unlike anything we'd ever seen! With the music, lights, and pyrotechnics, it was an incredible experience that just can't be captured on camera. We both came away from it in a very Christmas-y mood.

We enjoyed listening to the truly distinct music at Tuba Christmas. This is a volunteer orchestra made up of only the low brass instruments. Mikey plays multiple instruments, including the tuba, and Tuba Christmas is something he looked forward to every year in college. Tuba Christmas is one of the few times the low brass section gets to play the melody and it is something that is hard to describe in words. We recommend you find a Tuba Christmas version of Jingle Bells to hear the unique sound of these deep instruments.

 
We enjoyed this year's white Christmas with a lazy morning, opening presents and spending time together as a little family. I made a special breakfast before we video called my family in Atlanta. We always miss them on Christmas, but are so thankful for the technology to check in with them during Christmas Day joy. We spent lunch with Mikey's family at a potluck that his oldest sister organized.

Typically, we have Christmas Eve dinner at our ParentDos's house. ParentDos is what we lovingly call Mikey's best friend's parents. This year our plans were snowed out so we postponed them to New Years Eve Eve. With the four of us, we had a fondue night with cheese and chocolate fondue. MomDos and I tried not to get too much food, but with our mouths starting to water in the store, our grocery carts were soon full.

Mikey's best friend and his family joined us on New Year's Eve. This day is always full of laughs and cheers as we welcome the new year. Our goddaughter had just celebrated her first birthday and it is a treat to play with her and her new toys. I asked Mikey what we should get her for Christmas and he said she didn't have enough cars. So that is what we got her along with a wooden tower that they rolled down. Mikey enjoyed showing her how it works.

It was a whirlwind of a few months and we are so grateful to have so much loving family and chosen family to spend it with.

Do you have a place where you can feel your entire body exhale and feel lighter? For Mikey and me that place is Gifford Lake. Mikey's best friend's parents, lovingly called our ParentsDos, have a small cottage that Mikey has been visiting to for about 18 years. Going to the cottage represents time with our chosen family and space to regroup and recharge as a little family of two (plus Teddy).

The most eventful weekend at the cottage is the Fourth of July celebration where our ParentsDos host a myriad of family and friends. This year was much calmer than years past with most of the attendees unable to come and newest addition, our then seven month-old God daughter, making her debut at the lake.

It is wonderful to think about how many different generations have enjoyed the cottage and how the "youngsters" are now adults and beginning to bring children of their own.

The agenda while at the cottage is to make your own or have none at all. This tends to make a quiet and slow moving weekend. Activities can range from reading on the deck, swimming and sunbathing in the lake, communing with nature on a hike, or tinkering and building in the garage. The group usually comes together to break bread in the evenings while we share our highlights and adventures of the past year with one another.

The pinnacle of the weekend is the fireworks show. DadDos has had a passion for fireworks for many years and, along with MomDos, has attended many national fireworks conventions. On the day of the show, DadDos, Mikey, and any other volunteers take a few hours to organize and wire the fireworks on a pontoon boat turned barge before swimming the barge into the middle of the lake. Come sundown, the entire lake gets to enjoy the show.

Our most recent visit to the cottage was over Labor Day weekend. We enjoyed the usual carefree agenda (or lack thereof) with ParentsDos and Mikey's best friend and his family. While in years past, the height of any weekend at the cottage involved some sort of explosive and fruit, this new age of little ones brings different joys. This weekend, our very determined and newly crawling God daughter decided to master climbing the single step leading from the living room to the kitchen. We all watched as she worked to raise her leg to right place, shift her weight, and push herself up onto the step. A large round of applause was given by all.

Mikey shared his love and appreciation for the lake a few years ago in a video if you would like to see his perspective.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFYaH6ai0OY

Before I share about my latest trip to Atlanta, I must introduce the Saras, sometimes called the Tri-Sara-Tops, but never called unoriginal. My maternal grandmother, mother, sister, and niece are all called Sara. Mom uses the nickname, Sally, and my niece uses a double name, Sara Kate. Kindness, love, and creativity must be passed down by name because it is describes all of them.

In true Sally fashion, all she wanted for her birthday was to do something special for others. Sara Kate loves Frozen so we made plans for me to fly down and all of the girls to go see Frozen on Broadway at the Fox Atlanta. We wanted make it just a little bit more fun with costumes. Sara Kate sported her new Elsa dress, while Mom, Sara, and I tried our hand at Disney-bounding. This is when you wear an outfit inspired by a character without trying to look exactly like them. I was Anna and Sara was Sven. In the play, the trolls are swapped for the Hidden Folk and Mom dressed as one of them.

When we got to the theater, we saw a lot of other costumes, but all on children. Being the only adults dressed up, we had a great time exchanging smiles with the other play goers. Sara Kate had a great time feeling glamorous and supported by her fan club.

 
The play was unforgettable with incredible set and light design, but the show stoppers were Sven's puppet design and Elsa's quick change during "Let It Go". Both excited the maker in me and sparked my imagination.

After the play, I wanted to be sure to give Jackson, Sara Kate's big brother, some one on one time. Jackson is soon to be entering the teenage years. He and I had a Starbuck date and spent time chatting. This time was a great juxtaposition to when I would take him to the playground after preschool and watch him play. As we talked about his life and he shared his opinions on this and that, my heart was bursting with pride for this kind, joyous young man sitting in front of me.

While he is only 6 months, I have a feeling Will and I will have a special connection as we are both the youngest child out of three. I was last in Atlanta a few weeks previous to this trip. During that trip, Will was just starting to try (and adore) solid food. By this trip he has mastered them and loving everything he tried. I love this age where babies grow so quickly and are really starting to show their personality while exploring the world around them. I can't to see how much he'll grow before my next visit.

Julia likes to say Franklynn Delano Roosevelt chose her when they met in 2013. Julia went to "just look" at adopting a cat before locking eyes with Frankie. It was love at first sight. Frankie's demeanor said "Good. You're finally here. I am ready to go home." Julia met with a few other cats to make sure Frankie was "the one", but the adoption shelter volunteers agreed she was my girl. Today, Frankie is around 11 years old and is the typical aloof cat who likes attention on her own terms. She enjoys her independence almost as much as she enjoys cat naps. She has claimed the queen sized bed in our guestroom as hers exclusively and is very excited to share it when baby comes home.

We adopted Red Turbo Stripes (or Stripes for short) in 2018. Now, she is around 6 years old. At the time, Mikey had a black car with red stripes. Stripes's name is an homage to that car. We  are convinced Stripes is part dog as she is vocal with her opinions and insists on attention when she wants it. Stripes's signature move is to slowly, casually put herself on your chest to block whatever screen you are looking at so she can get your attention. She has a pretty high success rate. She also loves to cuddle with Mikey at bedtime and they often fall asleep while cuddling.

We adopted Theodore Roosevelt in 2020 amongst the pandemic. We think Teddy is around 4 years old. Like all our pets, Teddy is a rescue so we can only guess his breed. We've landed on a beagle mix, but that seems change frequently. Just like Frankie, Teddy's name is reflection for Julia's love of history. While Teddy loves to go on walks, he is just as happy to take naps on your lap. We love seeing Teddy interact with our nieces and nephews. He loves the babies when they drop food for him to gobble up and he loves running around in the backyard with the big kids. He hasn't quite mastered fetch, but he loves to run with other dogs as they chase a ball.