Day 28- Canoeing down the Huron and hanging with Deb Rose

We got up early this morning and headed down to the Huron River to rent a canoe and take the kids down the river. It was a gorgeous morning and the kids had a blast. They even got smaller paddles and "helped" row the boat. Note the "helped" should be defined as sticking them straight down in the water and slowing us down so we had to work harder. About half-way down we stopped a t a cute little park and enjoyed the view. This is the second time rowing on this trip and it is quickly becoming a favorite activity. It may be time to look into a kayak or canoe to use on Lake Norman.

After the canoe trip we headed over to Deb Rose ( Jahnke) house to hang out. Deb was Jen's babysitter growing up and now has two VERY successful children of her own. Kate is studying at Stanford and Sam is a rising junior in high school and football prospect at center in Ann Arbor. It was great to catch and watch the kids have a blast. Sam brought up all the old playmobil train from the basement for Jake and they are now best friends. Meanwhile Deb broke out all0 and I mean a bunch) of Kate's old American Doll stuff for Emma to enjoy. She fell in love with them instantly and this is going to cost me much money.

The day ended early, as we are trying to rest up for the trip to the Detroit Zoo tomorrow.

Link To Today's Pictures:

July 10

Day 27- YARD SALES!!!!, more fruitless searching, kid free night

Today was awesome for those that know Dane. Jen did not sleep well and needed rest, so Dane loaded up the kids and went yard sale shopping in Ann Arbor. They all start on Friday, which was awesome, because nobody was there but us. It was also very cool because you could by great Michigan stuff for low prices. Dane made the deal of the day on a clock that looks like the Michigan scoreboard for Jen's classroom for only $2. (We saw it later that day in the M Den for $100- need I say more.)

After much fun and unneeded junk for the kids, Jen was ready to go and everyone headed downtown to shop in Ann Arbor. There are so many cool little local stores and again all kinds of great U of M stuff. We continued from there for more wasted searching for Dane's stupid jersey, but enough about that.

The night was excellent as once the kids headed to bed all the adults went out for a night on the town as Owen watched the kids. Nothing like a nice dinner at the Mongolian Grill and some stops at the local pubs (although we were a little older than the majority of the crowd). Alas we gave up at 1:30 am and called it a night- amateurs.

Day 26- Domino' s Petting Farm, the elusive Tigers' jersey and Cookingout with the Powers Clan

Today got of to a very slow start, as everyone slept in until almost ten o'clock. However, this was planned and quite nice. It seems like we have been on the go so much that we have forgotten that children need sleep.

After everyone got going, we headed to the Domino's Petting Farm outside Ann Arbor. It was actually quite nice and the children got to interact with and feed llamas, goats, rabbits, ducks and geese. Emma is basically fearless around the animals and wants to feed them all. On the contrary, Jake usually wants you to feed them for him. I am pretty sure he pooped his pants when he went in for a closer look at a goat and it bleated right in his face. I almost peed my pants too because I was laughing so hard. The trip ended with a hay ride around the farm that was abruptly cut short by a pounding rain. Unfortunately, "WE" forgot the camera again.

The rest of the afternoon was spent on Dane's now fruitless efforts to find a Detroit Tigers Jersey at a reasonable price. Everywhere we go, the either have ugly ones in his size or great ones in smaller sizes. Jen has not enjoyed this portion of the venture and has now taken to the opinion that it is a sign and he is not supposed to have one.

The evening ending with Leah's entire family coming over for a cookout in the back yard. Of course it began to rain right before it, but with the mens', and Jen's, quick thinking, we put up a patio tent with added cover so all could stay dry. It was great to see Leah's mom who is enjoying her first summer of being cancer free after beating non-operable stage 3 lung cancer this last year. She looks great and is such an inspiration.

Day 25- Bowling, Swimming and the Detroit Tigers

Today it is hotter than blazes in Ann Arbor Michigan. It topped out in the mid- 90's. The friends we are staying with do not have air conditioning (most people don't up here), and the indoor thermostat reads 90 degrees in the house right now at 11:00 pm.

As a result, we kept most things indoors early today. We began with the first annual Perry Family Bowling Challenge at Colonial Lanes in Ann Arbor. It was actually quite difficult to beat the kids, as they had bumpers and these really cool launch things that helped the kids. Dane came out guns blazing in the first game and took early lead which held until the final frame when Jen needed 18 pins to tie. She managed 19 and won the first game 130-129. Incidentally, Jake bowled a 115. In the second game, Jen feel apart and bowled an 85 to remove herself from contention. However, Emma caught fire early and bowled a 119 (beating mom) only to be blasted by Dane's 153. In the end it must be noted that Dad had the highest combined score.

The family split up for the evening as Dane and Scott heading into Detroit for the Tigers game at Comerica Park and Jen and Leah took the kids swimming. The baseball game, and seats, were awesome as the Tigers lead the entire game, winning 4-2. Jen and the kids had a great time at the pool with Leah, Katie, April, and the kids.  Jake was jumping in the pool like a maniac, and Emma was loving the little inner tubes that we brought.  They swam until 8:30, when we finally decided we needed some dinner.  It is now 11:00 and the kids are finally in bed!

Link to Today's Pictures

July 7

Day 24- Marquette to Ann Arbor

Started today's drive in a foggy rain as we left Marquette around 9:30. Not much going on except some beautiful scenery for the first 2 hours until we hit St. Ignace by the Mackinaw Island Bridge.

We ate lunch at a place called Clyde's Drive-IN, which is an absolute must if you ever have reason to cross the mackinaw Bridge. It is on the north side of the bridge and has the best hamburgers I have had in a long time along with some awesome onion rings. It was an old place that literally just had a Waffle House style grilll with a giant tub of raw meat beside it and she patted your burger as you ordered.

From there, we crossed the bridge- little shaky I might add- and headed to Ann Arbor. We suffered a few disappointing moments on the drive as we missed the only viable putt-putt course in the northern half of Michigan and then to our great dismay, Storybook Land was closed until 2011 (although we did take some pictures of the outside).

We rolled into Ann Arbor around 6:00- first daylight arrival of the trip- and had a nice pizza dinner with the Powers family.

Only negative is the heat, as it is 90 degrees with no air conditioning. However, we don't plan on sitting much so all will be good.

Link To Today's Pictures:

July 6

Day 23- Last Day in Marquette

The weather finally broke and was 70 and rainy most of the day. Not much activity today, although we did spend the morning at the Upper Peninsula Childrens Museum. The kids had a great time and enjoyed running through the various systems of the human body. Emma was most taken with the hairstyling center and Jake, of course, could not be peeled away from the trains.

After the museum, we went downtown for a great lunch at a local Irish pub and some shopping. Marquette is one of those classic little downtown areas with neat little shops and things to see. Bought a few knick-knacks and some stuff for thee kids.

The evening wrapped up with a trip to Jilbert's, the local dairy, for some fresh ice cream and a viewing of the massive cow statues. They were a little disturbing, as they were so life like that they had veins in the utters.

Back on the road tomorrow as we head to Ann Arbor for some R & R with old friends.

Link To Today's Pictures:

July 5

Day 22- Independence Day

Happy 4th of July everyone!!!

It was another scorcher here in Marquette as it was over 90. I know this doesn't sound that bad to you southern folks, but nobody has air conditioning here.

Unfortunately, Dane took a Zyrtec which knocked him out for five hours and wasted a large portion of the day. Once awakened from his slumber, we went to a really neat place called Lakenenland. This is a park designed by a metal sculpture artist. Not knowing what to expect, we were blown away by the skill and creative nature of the artist. The comical part was that the artist has been in a long standing feud with the town council. The park is open to all citizens, with the exception of town council members, who will be charged with trespassing. At first we thought this was a joke, then we saw the official trespassing signs and court order... too funny.

We wrapped up the day with beautiful fireworks over the south harbor of Marquette. We took a bit of a long distance approach and the kids really enjoyed the reflections off the water without quite so much noise. Marquette doesn't get dark until almost 11:00, so both kids passed out before we got home, which was only one mile.

Link to Today's Pictures:

July 4