Pure Michigan 2015

Well, you can see some past Michigan trips here and here, but this one really took the cake. And here's why: we had our own log cabin with our own private fishing dock, and that really made for the whole trip.

We fed some ducks and then started casting.

But before the day began, Pax made sure mom's face would be completely protected from the sun... for the next three weeks.

Not long after, this happened...

And then Mae hit to casting and a little later on... jackpot!

Last was our buddy Pax. He was enjoying a little fishing fun when he felt a tug...

Boom! Three for three.

This pictures sums up the fishing nicely.

We also made sure to hit up some berry picking, as late August in Michigan is the perfect time and place for that.  As is the tradition, we bunked with Ana and Sid and their mom and dad, and had ourselves a blueberry pick for the ages.

At one point, we decided to start measuring each other. Sid is three but gaining on Mabel quickly.

And this is Dee. She owned the blueberry farm and was one of the sweetest ol' gals you'll meet.

On top of blueberry picking, the beach was a hot spot for us on Saturday morning. The ideal day from a weather perspective - 82 and sunny - and with really warm lake water to boot, the beach treated everyone well.

On our last morning we decided we had never been raspberry or blackberry picking and so we made sure to stop and got in a nice pick right before the rain.

This last pic is our "Goodbye Michigan" pic, but we'll see you next year, without a doubt.

Mae: A Two Trick Pony

So there are not a lot of things Mae can do that I can't, right? And to be honest I kind of like it that way.

However, there are two things she can do and let me explain them to you. The first is whistling. We've both been trying to learn to whistle for a long time, but me much longer than her. There's just been a lot of blowing in and blowing out. Well, she started to get close about 2-3 weeks ago and lo and behold, the kid can now whistle Dixie for goodness sake.

The second thing she can do that I can't is ride a bike with one hand. It's long been documented that Mae's bike riding skills are second to none. I remember even last summer people would stop mom and dad and they just couldn't believe the kid was off training wheels and just zipping up and down the block. It's kind of like potty training when I just learned to go on the potty and then she followed up a couple months later even though she is two years younger than me.

Well, the other night we were out front riding bikes up and down the block and she comes rolling through yelling, "GUYS, WATCH THIS!" She proceeds to take one hand off her bike and starts whistling at the same time.

At first I felt like she might be rubbing it in my face, but knowing Mae like I do I realized that was not the case and we all got a good kick out of it.

She might not be the smartest knife in the drawer and she's definitely still afraid of her shadow, but she's got me on the bike-riding-one-handed-while-whistling talent front.

Zaya's Milwaukee Birthday, Take 2

So a couple years ago we went to Milwaukee to celebrate Isaiah's birthday and, well, we all had so much fun that Zaya decided this year we should go back.

So we caravan'd up to Milwaukee and met at a small park right by the Lake and did our thing.

Climbed trees, played in the fountain, frosted cakes, blew out candles, gave Zaya his presents and cards (one of which apparently Eli got a pretty big kick out of).

Then we went down to this corner of the lakefront where you can fly kites. Even if you think it's not windy enough, when you get down to the point, it's plenty windy and you can get your kite as high as you want it to go.

Mae and Sophie took a turn...

Pax took a shot at it...

And then I did my thing.

And then as we were going through the pictures from the day dad had a thought and started sifting back through pictures. And sure enough, check this out - the first one is me from May, 2012, and the second one is me from a couple weeks ago.

Looks like a 2018 trip to Milwaukee to fly kites is definitely gonna have to get on the calendar.

Mae's Date: A Tall Order

So Mae had been asking dad to take her to the Sears Tower for several months now. At times, it was the right weather but a busy weekend; and at times it was a chill weekend but with bad weather. But this past Sunday, the combination was perfect.

So Mae went upstairs and dressed herself in a very nice dress and brushed her hair all on her own to get ready for her date with dad.

And off they went...

They parked over in the West Loop at a secret spot dad knew about and then walked a couple blocks to the Sears Tower, stopping on the Jackson St. Bridge for a photo op.

After taking the elevator up 1,353 feet to the 103rd floor, they got off and toured the Skydeck. They looked out over the South Side down on the South Loop where we used to live and tried to find our house, picked out the Shedd Aquarium, the old Target we used to go to and 31st. St. Beach.

Then it was on to the East Side checking out Buckingham Fountain and dad's work. Next up, the John Hancock on the North Side and finally a look out at the West Side down onto the United Center and our house.

Before leaving they stepped out onto the glass ledge that they have up in the Sears Tower where you can look down and see all the way down to the ground. It's kind of freaky but also kinda of cool.

Here's Mae's feet...

And Mae and Dad posing...

And one of just Mae.

And one last one before taking the elevator back down.

All in all, a huge success, made even more of a success when Mom, Pax and I walked into West Town Bakery to snag some donuts and the two of them were sitting at the countertop ready to order donuts of their own.