Michigan Adventure

We just returned from a great week in Michigan - visiting family, renewing old acquaintances and welcoming new members to the gang (Amy and Simon). We all agreed that it was a wonderful vacation. We spent time relaxing at Grandma and Grandpa's home, sitting in the second story sun room taking in the beautiful sight of all those trees. We canoed down the Pere Marquette River one lazy afternoon. It might sound boring but since our lives are so full and we live in LA - floating down a tranquil river watching the incredible scenery was a pure delight.

Other highlights from the week: horseback riding at the Double J Ranch, swimming in Lake Michigan, hiking at Kirk Park, strolling down a very beautiful downtown 8th Street- watching street performers, shopping at Meijers, meeting a new member of the family - baby Simon, hanging out at Elly's backyard pool, having family pictures taken, and dining lakeside at a very chic restaurant. (I'll post pictures as soon as I can get someone to help me).

We were so grateful to have had the time with family. Grandpa treated us to stories of his childhood and his relatives. We were so glad that all our children were able to come on this vacation. It was sad to leave. We will miss everyone very much.

We returned home safely and we are wrapping up our summer. Our Japanese students will be leaving Monday. It was a good experience, but we are ready to have our home back to normal. Eight weeks is a long time to be out of your routine.

I'm spending my days preparing for a new school year - planning curriculum, getting books and supplies ready, re-organizing our school closet (which is alot like spring cleaning), doing massive amounts of reading to get myself acquainted with the Middle Ages in order to teach history this year, researching math curricula because I haven't found a great program yet, preparing to paint Zach and Court's bedroom next week and on top of all that, I'm restructuring the private school independent study that I'm directing this year, and helping my mom and sister pack their house so they can move Sept. 1st.

Whew! I am so glad that we had a great vacation in order to rest up before jumping into all that!

I think I want to go back to Michigan!