hotel pools, eating in bed, and t.v......just a few of my childrens favorite things.

 Six years ago we loaded up our little family and took a road trip.  Isabella was 4 years old, Jack was 2 years old.......


 and William was 6 months old.  And we headed up north to Mackinaw Island. 

 

 We had so much fun with them.  Looking at the pictures made me miss them at that age a little bit.   But then also made me think.....WOW that was a lot of work to take 3 such little kids. It was all we knew, and to us as the years went by the work load got easier. 

 Biking them around the Island might have been more then we bargained for.  It's 8 miles people!!!!   But once we started ~we had to finish.  And let me tell you, that might have been a smile on my face, but it was probably pretty early in the 8 miles.  :)

 Back then we stayed on the main land, and in the evening a double stroller was our saving grace.  We walked to supper and did a little site seeing.  That is a very little bit of site seeing...before people needed their blankies, bottles, and beds.

 Last weekend......

 we did this trip again.  WOW! Was it easier!  This stage is really fun to take a road trip with.  How ironic that last time we went to Mackinaw our oldest was 4 and now this time our youngest was 4~!  They are all potty trained, all sleep through the night, and all of them feed themselves!  I'm not bragging~I'm just stating the facts. :)

 Everything was a novelty to them.  It was fun to feel their excitement about every little thing.  The ferry ride was a huge highlight for them.

 We did an amazing amount of walking.  Probably could have used a stroller some of the time for Suzy.  But how cool everyone else could keep up, and most of the time had to ask the 3 oldest to slow down. 

 On the island we were amazed at all the color.  Flowers are still going crazy and the fall colors are out of control there right now!  This was a little bed & breakfast right off the Main street, that looked pretty quaint. 

 On our way up to the Fort.

 Here is "us", good ol' mom and dad~with the map and taking our time up the hill enjoying the view as we went.  The kids were already firing off cannons by the time we caught up with them. 

 We are missing one from the picture....she was running across the grass screaming and crying saying she's not taking a picture with those guys.  So uncharacteristic of her.  We had a little talk, maybe a spanking and then later Suzy told me she was scared they would shoot her.  We had just watched the cannon being shot, and these were the 2 that did the firing.

 While there, we got some pictures of what we had done 6 years ago....amazing how much changes in six little years. 

 And if you are thinking they do that on their own you are crazy wrong. But they did cooperate for one picture.  I don't think deep down they didn't mind it at all. 

Funny how Isabella can remember all of the fort and the places we went while there.  I hope her sister will too.

 After the fort, we hiked in the State Park that is on the Island.  Until last weekend~ I didn't even know it was there!  There were some amazing views along that trail.  It actually was the very first State Park!

 Arch Rock is one of the scenic spots that we hadn't seen last time we had went. 

 After all that hiking we found an awesome pizza spot right on Main St.!  Loved it!

 Then we headed here, to rent some bikes.

 Breathtaking views, you just can't do them justice with pictures.  But what cool memories!

 Most of the 8 miles around the Island, we again reminded the 2 oldest to wait on us.  Donovan had William on a tandem and I had Suzy in a bike seat.  Funny how 6 years ago we were cursing ourselves for even wanting to bike around the Island, now our oldest can out-bike us. :)

 We stopped for just a while to check out the beach and skip some rocks.

 Jack wanted to take some pictures...while we waited for Donovan to check the bikes back into the rental store.  The picture above was one that turned out well. 

 And then Isabella wanted to take some.....:)

 The last ferry left the Island at 5 p.m. so we had one more stop before we got on the boat.  I think this was the first time my kids had tried fudge. 

 That evening after supper, we drove the bridge.  Of course the kids had a one track mind since our hotel had a pool.  So after the bridge, a bite to eat, we let them live the dream~of hotel pools and eating snacks while on the hotel bed, watching some t.v.  My dream would've been to walk the bridge, maybe a nice sit down meal, and then a magazine or kissing my hubby while snuggled into bed.  But I've seen how fast 6 years can go...and I've plenty of time for those things when I'm gray.  (No offense to the gray haired people.)

Quote of the day:

Jack:  "What is a french kiss again?"

Donovan: "Well........."

Jack: "Is it where you stick your tongue in someone else's mouth?"

sauce it up

 After reading my cousin's post about apple day it reminded me that I had never posted our apple day pictures.  SO here it goes. 

 For the last 9 or so years~we have always called in the troops for apple sauce day.  Including parents, grandparents, and sometimes aunts.  In 2003 we did 5 bushel and begged for anyone and everyone who would donate their time.  At that time Isabella was 3, Jack was 1 and I was pregnant with William. We went through a ton of sauce.  So we made a lot of it, and used it often for a "filler."  A cheap alternative for buying  a lot of baby food.   

 Last year we did 4 bushel and while we used it a lot in lunches and at meals we still had close to 40 jars left.  So this year we scaled back and did only 1 1/2 bushel.  The kids have always been so disappointed that applesauce day in the last couple years have happened while they were at school.  So this year~it was us.  Just the 6 of us.   On a rainy Saturday morning~makin' sauce.

 It was such a shock to me how they worked together.  How each had a job, enjoyed it, and felt so important.  Funny how usually doing dishes, dusting, and sweeping does not bring the same results. 

 Some played more than others, and needed more "encouragement" to stay focused on the task. 

 But overall they were a big help, and enjoyed the process.

Isabella at her age is the most diligent.  She enjoys seeing a task until the end.  She worked on filling the jars, and labeling.  And any other job that she could squeeze in while waiting for more jars to fill.  She reminds me of her dad more and more every day.  :) 

Quote of the day: 

Jack:  "I don't feel "right" about sleeping in my room tonight"

Donovan: "Well change your "feeling" about it."

and the winner is......

 For those of you that left a comment on my last post....your name went on a little piece of paper & into a coffee mug this morning. 

 Because I had such a good response from this post and because I love you all so much for leaving comments we picked 2 names.....

So~Nicole and Jewel....If you will facebook~inbox me your addresses I will mail out your goodies tomorrow.  :) 

amazingly easy grape juice......my secret recipe

Last week we went to Corey Lake Orchard and picked some grapes..... 

..... o.k. actually A LOT of grapes.  A little over 200 lbs. of grapes.  It took Donovan and I about an hour and 15 minutes to pick.  It was a perfect morning for picking & it sure was nice to have his help.
Interesting fact I learned on Corey Lake's web site...their orchard is one of the many that Welch's comes to ~to make their juice.   

We took Suzy with us.  And yes, she helped pick to.  For about 5 1/2 minutes, flat.  Then she took over the photography.  Which was fine with me, since we only had 2 pair of snippers and she is a little on the small side for reaching the top of the vines. 

It was interesting to me to see things from her angle.  This kept her entertained for a good 30 minutes. 

So I thought I'd tell you how exactly I make the grapes into juice.  It's a super easy process people.  So this is the steamer in the above picture.  I bought mine at a local Amish store, but I found out a friend of mine bought her juicer cheaper on Amazon.com.

#1

Wash the grapes.

#2

Put water in the bottom pan of the steamer.  Put on stove. 

Seriously-step by step people.

#3

Set the next part of the steamer on top of the previous part.  This is the container that holds the juice as it is steamed out of the grapes. 

#4

Put the washed grapes into the last container that fits right into the previous part of the steamer.  And put the lid on. 

And seriously if you can put this together: 

You can handle this steamer. 

So as the steam rises from the boiling water in the bottom container, it "juices" the grapes.  It comes out the tube in the front of the steamer.  You simply let the clamp lose and the finished product~Grape Juice comes out of the tube/steamer.  It is boiling hot so I fill the jar and put the canning lid on.  The lids I have soaking in warm water to soften the seal.  And  “Voila"...... 

#5

Grape juice concentrate.  When I open the jar I simply add an equal amount of  water and 1 cup of sugar.  More or less depending on your sweet tooth taste buds.  It averaged out to about 30 cents a jar~which would be 2 quarts of juice.  A very inexpensive and delish treat.  Last year we put up 80 quart and were completely out by April!  This year we got 95 quarts.  Which if we ration this out better this year, it will hopefully last us all year. So leave me a comment & let me know if you'd like to try some.  I will pick a random winner October 1st & mail you a jar along with some popcorn for your next movie night.  :) 

Quote of the day:

Me: "What did you do at recess today?" 

Side note: I usually ask "What is your favorite part of your day?"...but  inevitably the answer is always recess.  So now I cut to the chase.

Isabella: "Play football.  Well not really playing football just throwing the ball back in forth with my friends."

Jack: "spin people off the merry-go-round.  Isabella, if you try it you would find it amusing."

And an apology to you~ if your child goes to school with mine.

special people in my life.

How we spent part of yesterday.

And today we got dolled up....

and went to spend some time with my favorite 89 year old ~Aunt Esther. She's been ill, and it was so very nice to see her smile with/at Suzy. While there she gave Suzy 2 little figurines that years and years ago my mom (Aunt Esther's sister) gave to her. Now she gave them to Suzy who was as pleased as punch.
Funny how you set out to bless someone~and they bless you even more with their gentle spirit & tenderness towards you and your child.

I love you Aunt Esther.

And on our way home today...the most heartbreaking call came. My sweet cousin Joyce who had her baby girl born to her this morning~Quinn Ruthie, her little newborn died just hours later. My soul aches for her. Can not imagine her intense pain right now. If you know Joyce & Jason please lift them up in prayer.

I love you Joyce & Jason. My deepest sympathy to you tonight~as you learn to live with this hole in your heart.

honey do list (3 of 3)

Awwww....can you tell that's Isabella? Kinda looks like my Suzy doesn't it?? This picture was taken exactly 6 years ago. Same time of year, Isabella is holding a doll car seat with her baby strapped in and a blanket over the top to keep her sleeping. See how she even has a purse packed? That was holding the baby bottle and toys for the doll. Mimicking what I would do with William at that time. :) Loved how she would mama. I still remember that morning...feeling quite accomplished to get Isabella, Jack, & William up, dressed, fed, and out the door while still morning. I think I took a picture just because I was just so proud of myself. Not sure where Jack is in the picture...but how's 2 out of 3?

So anyways....I put the picture on to show you the bench....the progression of the bench. See it in the back ground? Back in the day it was taupe.
It served us well as a place to keep shoes, and one basket with hats & mittens.

About 4 years later we painted it black and used it various places in our house. When we moved back in December, I decided to use it in our entry way. It now is used for toys & books. While I still love it, I really wanted to give it a re-do. Rather I wanted hubby to redo it.

So last week he got to work. Building sides for the bench, while I worked on a cushion.

He also......used some leftover wood from the lockers & he built a matching shelf.

Completely in love with the new lighter look this entry way has. (Sorry for the dark picture~should have taken it during the day)
I added one basket to the bench, and was in shock that Target still carries the same baskets. Although the 2 I had were pretty worn~they still match. Love to hide those books now. And the shelf at the top~is a complete improvement to a the mirror, in my opinion.

Tomorrow I think I will copy myself from the first picture and make another bittersweet wreath to hang from the coat hooks on my new shelf. Which looking at the ages of those little people in the first pic~I wonder how on earth I even had the time to pick the bittersweet and make a wreath 6 years ago???

quote of the day:
William: "I can smile bigger than anyone. Except for God. He has a really big mouth."