St Patrick's Day 2012

St Patricks Day 2012 was a one of a kind!! The sun was out and it was in the 80's...unbelievable for March. We celebrated at Northpeak Brewery and that is where the parade kicked off with tons of people participating and lots of spectators along the parade route. Never has a St Patrick's Day had so many people in attendance or had such fantastic weather. Usually it is raining,sleeting, snowing, blowing or doing all of the above at once!!

Heather and Patrick joined us along with Heathers brother Jim for the parade and festivities.

Mike was one of the Hibernians of the year along with Tim Smith and his father Lou for their work in getting permission to hold the Father Fred Dinner from the state of Michigan. A great feather in all of their caps as it took lots of networking and strong talk. (and a few cigars)

We had our annual party with the group of friends that have been getting together for the last 28 years and enjoyed happy hour on the deck...definitely a first...and lots of laughter with our Irish Auction. Pictured is Colleen (Clancy)Zanotti with "the parrot hat" that has made several appearances as a gift. She says she will be wearing it at next years parade!!!

Congratulations were abundant for Patrick and Heather with their recent announcement that a new Nolan is on the way.

Mike and I feel so blessed to have great family and friends here in Traverse City.

Love to all of you...Kathy and Michael

Springtime and a Denver wedding

This last weekend Michael and I traveled to Denver Colorado to a wedding. Mikes cousin Dennis Ahnen and his wonderful wife Carol had a wedding for their daughter Gina and her new husband Andy. We went for a 3 day weekend and really enjoyed seeing family and friends in the Denver area. Carol and Dennis have 3 daughters, Megan and Nicole , and they are the bridesmaids seen in the picture with Dennis.

We also met up with Quinn Carney in downtown Denver to walk around, have lunch and go to REI. It was a sunny day and in the mid 60's to 70...we enjoyed seeing where the Platte and Cherry Creek come together, a park with lots of outside activities going on...kayaking, biking,walking,dog walking and just plain enjoying the weather. We got back to TC with no problems other than an early flight and not enough sleep. I am having a St Patricks Day party tonight for my PEO sisters and we will have our friends party on Saturday...the actual day of celebration. March came in like a lion here in Traverse City with the snow storm of a week and a half ago...18 to 24 inches. Lots of people did not have power or heat for up to a week. However today is in the mid 50's and the flowers are starting to pop up their heads. The first flower in my back yard...an adorable crocus!!! I hope we do not have more snow to cover up natures attempts at spring. March is usually a sunny month that we appreciate so much after winter.

Kathy and Michael

quilts

I have been busy the last few weeks with quilting projects. The quilt on the bed is for the wedding in Denver we are going to next weekend...Gina Ahnen. It is made from batiks and beautifully quilted by my friend Lynn. It makes me want to make one for myself!! The baby quilt, bag, burp pads and duck is for a friend at work who had a baby girl a few weeks ago and

we are having a shower tomorrow.

The weather has been very winter like the last few days and we are to get a big storm tonight and tomorrow. We are ready!