FINALLY!!!

I have my wireless internet back!!! A month of having only one computer in the house with internet and today my awesome Dad hooked up the wireless router so I have my computer fully functional once again!!! YAY!!! Can't wait to start downloading songs again! And letting Ethan play his games! And getting online whenever I want! OOOOO, I'M EXCITED!!!!

Vacation

Every year, at least once, Ethan and I go up to Michigan for a vacation. Usually when we go up I have something to do every day. This year, I didn't have anything planned. To start our week of vacation we went camping up at Indiana Dunes. Not at the state park because by the time we got up there, there were no campsites left. So we found a different one and it was fun. The only thing that sucked was that Randy and I had to set up our tent in the rain. We had no fire on Friday because it was rainy and wet and was rainy and wet all night. We did alright. Ethan and I woke up...well Ethan woke up because it was daylight and we just kinda laid around the tent and hung out outside the tent while Randy slept. We made campfire doughnuts (i burned them...but luckily we had more than one can of biscuits) and decided it was time to wake up Randy. He suggested we go to Chicago so that's what we did. We were only 45 minutes away so it seemed like a good idea. We played tourist...went on a double decker bus ride/tour of the city, took lots of pictures,

Trump Int'l Hotel and Tower

John Hancock Building

Sears Tower from the Bus

went to the Sears Tower Skydeck, took some more pictures,

Skydeck South View

Skydeck North View/Chicago River Y

and then hopped on the bus again and rode around to Millenium Park where we hopped off,

"Sportacus" in Millenium Park

got our free souvenir hat/visor/shirt (we got to pick) and took some pics under the bean.

Under the "bean"

Mandatory self portrait


Since it didn't rain on Saturday night we actually got to camp. We had fire, roasted hot dogs, and made s'mores. Ethan played with his pop gun that Randy got for him at Cabela's and went for a "night hike" with Daddy.

Playing with his pop gun and being like Daddy

Back from the "night hike"

Hanging out at the campsite

Ethan was pretty tired from his busy day so he ended up falling asleep in my chair.

He had a busy day

It did storm about midnightish, but when we broke down camp it was sunny. We hung out for a few more hours and then headed our seperate ways.

Monday and Tuesday we went to the beach and just played and had fun and relaxed.

Baywatch Baby

Check out those waves!

Ridin' the waves

Relaxing in the hammock

Wednesday we went to Grand Rapids to see my friend Emily. I managed to not pay attention to where I was going and missed my turn and thought I was going the right way when I figured out I hadn't gotten to my exit yet. I think I managed to get us about 15 minutes off course. But we made it so everything was fine. We went to John Ball Zoo and then Meijer Gardens. Both were fun places to go. Ethan's not one for watching things for very long. The longest we stayed anywhere at the zoo was in the frog exhibit and the petting zoo.

Poison Dart Frog

Brushing the cow

Meijer Gardens was wonderful! There's a waterfall that's just beautiful, a huge 24 foot bronze horse, and a Children's Garden. We spent about 2 hours there and we all had fun.

Waterfalls

Yep, it's pretty HUGE

Look out!

Come find me!

Emily and Me

Thursday Ethan and I went into Saugatuck, played at the park, had some ice cream and went back to the house to await the arrival of my mom and aunt. Once they got there we went out for dinner. Friday we went into Douglas and had lunch then came back and went to the beach for a little bit...at least I did because I had to come home yesterday. So here I am, once again at work during the weekend and wishing I was still in Michigan with my family. But at least my Daddy has someone to keep him company and talk to in the evenings. It was a great week and I can't wait to do it again.