July of 2014 Cousins Together

 So here they are...the two adorable grandchildren who are delighting Mike and I on a daily basis.
Timothy and Casey arrived in Traverse City mid July and are looking for jobs and a place to live.   They are staying  with us right now and we are really loving having them here.  Finnley and Seamus are getting to know each other and sure look like they are related!!
They are both busy toddlers but so much fun that I can hardly stand it.

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                              We have taken some wagon trips in the neighborhood and to the playgrounds.

                        Seamus is very social and to quote something my dad used to say  "bright as a new penny"!!!

                       We took a trip to the beach on the one hot humid day ...Clinch Park and the splash pad.

                                         Love this picture of these Nolans...it is a Cherry Festival picture!

       We took Seamus for his first canoe ride on Boardman Lake and had to mark it with a selfie.

   This is Seamus after his two day car ride to Michigan,sort of grumpy and tired and not too sure whats up.

 The boys...at Lake Ann checking out the water...not easy to keep Seamus out of it.

           

 Kathy and  Della went to the Art Fair in Ann Arbor ...our 30th year of going together.  We each missed one year due to surgeries or travel.  So we celebrated with a drink and dinner at Seva's...our traditional restaurant.  As some of you know I have been collecting ceramic vegetables for many years from one artist who comes from the Grand Rapids area.  She only shows in Ann Arbor so it is fun to see what the new vegetable is for each year.        

She let Dellla take a picture of us with her display.I splurged this year and got two to add to my wall..the celery and the adorable olives in the picture below.     

Here is the future Cherry Festival Queen...she is practicing her joyful look when she hears the news.  She also has the wave down perfect.  It was her first year to enjoy the parades and what kid doesn't enjoy them.  Popcorn, candy, sweet drinks and marching bands!!

Patrick is the proud owner of a tractor and the kids loved it...all three of them.  We are having a great summer with weather that so far has not been too hot.  Some cabin time with the kids and getting together with friends.  Mike just got back from the trade show in Las Vagas and is adjusting to the time change.  He had a busy time but  got to see his sister Fran and husband Harry which was great.  Hope all of you are having a great summer.  Love and hugs from Kathy and Michael

June 2014

June in Michigan is my favorite time of year.
The days are warm, but not too warm, and the nights are cool with great sleeping temps.  This  year has been a little off...a little cooler, a little more rainy than usual and then just to keep us on our toes a hot mid 80 humid day.  However it was still a very pleasant month.  Finnley now knows all about umbrellas and the pointy ends that can go in your eyes.  She loved playing with this umbrella in the light rain.
Mike and I have been busy cleaning the house and garage in preparation for Casey, Timothy and Seamus coming in mid July.  They are moving back to Michigan and he is applying for jobs like crazy. Patrick will be flying out to VT and driving the U Haul back to Michigan...what a great big brother!    We are confident Timothy  will get a special ed job and hope  that they will settle down close to Traverse City.  It is going to be wonderful to have them back in Michigan.
Seamus, Seamus, Seamus is all that Finnley can talk about.

A walk down memory lane for some of you...Huggy Bear (Patricks favorite) and the two Henry's from the Jackson clan.  One Henry has gone home with Finnley and the other is waiting for Seamus.

 Finnley and I kayaked on Fathers Day and of course Riggs had to come along two...best buddies

                                        A golf card ride with Grandpa and his horn...she loves it..and so does he!

                                     Ice Cream cone with Daddy...it must have got messier as they ate it.

 We went to a wedding in the New Orleans area (Dave and Karen Purvis  from TC who have been in NO for several years but still come back to TC and have a cabin on the Manistee River)  It was at a plantation which was beautiful.   It was a true southern wedding...  Erin and Richard( Karen and Dave's son) were on the way in for dinner to the music of The Saints Come Marching In...Lots of laughs and fun.  However it was VERY hot and humid!!!

 We visited with another family from TC who are transplants to the NO area..  Cathy (husband Kevin was gone on a brothers trip to Ireland) , Their kids Ryan( one daughter) and Leslie (four daughters).  We spent the afternoon enjoying all the girl play and catching up.  Two hot babes below, Cathy and Kathy...fun to be together with old friends and share good memories.  Lots of laughs!

 The second June wedding was Alex who used to work for Mike...and his bride Emily.  Fun to catch up at a pre wedding party at the Filling Station.

 Finnley had a chance to sit on Uncle Marks Bench and watch Grandpa fish.  We miss you Mark!!!!

                           Finnley and I have our vests and hat on and are ready for the Hex to Hatch.

We have had lots of rain and the grass and flowers are thriving.  The Iris and petunias are beautiful.  We have been at the cabin as much as possible as the Hex Hatch has been delayed due to the cold weather.  It should peak this weekend and the weather should be good.
I do not have any fresh Seamus pictures but will have lots to share soon.  We are so excited to have the whole family together.
 Happy Fourth of July to everyone...we are so lucky to live in this country.  I feel so blessed to have friends, family, freedom  and health.  I treasure every day.   Love to all  Kathy and Michael