Norway

Michigan that is!

Just a few miles from my parent's house, this little town has a band that plays every other Tuesday evening.


I was pretty impressed that Zack knew the name of the person who wrote the Star Wars Theme... among other songs...and was the first person to shout out this name when asked by the director.


Ollie was more interested in making new friends.

Even though the girl looks a little afraid she was really very interested in him.   And, of course, Ollie soaked up the attention.

Home

We arrived home just a short time ago. The plans to stay longer didn't work out.


The weather wouldn't cooperate.  That...and the fact that there is no air conditioning at my parent's house.  


So, with temps in the 90's...I decided NOT to stay.


Before we left today I took Zack to the lake to swim.

With summer temps just recently on the rise I tried to prepare Zack for the fact that the water would not be warm yet. 

But it was packed so it seemed that most people didn't mind the cool water temperature.

Trust me...it was packed.

And...Another Hike

Piers Gorge

We went hiking at Piers Gorge this afternoon and saw something we have never seen there before:

See it?  


Maybe a closer look:

Ew...I know it's just a little thing....but ew!!!!  I HATE SNAKES!


But the day was another beautiful one:

Es-ca-na-ba

On Monday I received an e-mail from my uncle stating that my grandmother's ashes were going to be buried on Thursday (tomorrow).


So yesterday, after I voted - by the way...here are my feelings about that election:

A waste of time and money!!!


 Zack and I (and Ollie) packed up the car and headed up to Michigan to stay with my parents for a few days and go to the cemetery for the burial.


However, a follow up e-mail I got 10 minutes ago corrected the previous one and listed the burial date as June 14th!  


Oh, well...we are still enjoying ourselves while we're here...and have no set return date.  We're just free flying in the wind...no plans.


But not quite as free flying as the cool, albeit slightly crazy, family we met today on our day trip to Escanaba.  A young family from Spain that flew into Montreal, Quebec and have rented a  Volkswagen van for a 5 month trek across Canada and the United States...with a 3 year old and a 3 month old!!!!  Cool...or...crazy?  I can't decide!


Anyway, Escanaba is located on the far east side of Michigan...right on Lake Michigan.

And Escanaba is beautiful

Almost as beautiful as the weather today...78*

We packed a picnic lunch.

And after we ate we took a walk around the lake.

Great Day!

Wedding

August 18th my parents will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.  


This is them when they first met:

As I mentioned...mom and dad are not known for taking great pictures together.


But their wedding pictures are great (my grandfather was a typical Italian flattop)

My Dad

On of the albums we found in my grandma's house was filled with pictures of my dad as a baby, young boy, and young man.  


These are just what I need to make a 50th anniversary DVD for them in August!


My dad as a youngster...about a year and a half according to the back of the pictures.

My dad and grandma

My dad and his brothers...he's the oldest.

About 5-6 years old

my grandma and her boys.

Making his confirmation (First Evangelical Lutheran Church)

Written on the back of the picture:

High school graduation picture

And his diploma

While he was serving in Korea

Tomorrow...pictures of their wedding.