St Patricks Day 2014

 St Patricks Day came so fast this year it is hard to believe that Finnley is a year older.  She was a dancing colleen this year as she tried to master the two step.  However she has the twirling down and will twirl  till she falls down.
 The parade was the Saturday before the big day and the crowd was large.  The Nolan Clan marched together on a sunny day... even though it was about 20 degrees with a cold north wind.  It was a fast parade as we could not get back to the warmth soon enough.  We had our gathering for friends of Irish heritage that evening and had a great time as  usual.  We did notice that every one drinks less and goes home earlier than 25 years ago.  It was our 31st year to have these same couples...quite a feat in that we are all still married!!

                                         Patrick and Michael ready to march into the cold.

                                                     Mike and Kathy decked out in green.

                 Heather and Finnley were ready to party.  Finnley was doing lots of people watching.
We returned a few weeks ago from our trip to Florida and the snow and ice is still here.  I think it has been below zero at night for the last 2 weeks.  No warm up in sight as we are to get some snow tomorrow night!!
We spent a few days in New Orleans area with some friends and the weather was great.  I can see the attraction for them at this time of year...not so sure about the summer.  The one nice thing about March in TC is that there is usually lots of sun...today is cold and  sunny.  We plan the weekend at the cabin as Sunday is our anniversary...40 years.  We were so glad to celebrate with the family while in Florida...it was a memorable trip.  I hope my next post has some spring flowers in it!!!!   Kathy and Michael

Fishing in Florida

There was not enough room on the last blog to do the fishing in Florida pictures.  Mike, Patrick and Timothy went fishing with a guide in the Everglades area south of Marco Island.  The guides name was Houston Brown  and he was a native of Florida, a 4th generation fishing guide and he had lots of great stories to tell.  The fish to the left was the star of the day...yes it is a blow fish and they do blow up when stressed...then it deflated when thrown into the water with a sound like burping frog.  Way weird!!

 Patrick caught so many fish that Mike, Timothy and the guide threatened to throw him out of the boat.
 The fish above is a red fish.  They have to be 20 inches to keep and a boat can only keep one fish per person.

 Here is Michael with his red fish.  They also caught some sharks, ocean trout, pompano and several Jack Kravels, ocean catfish, the blow fish.  They fished in the brackish water between the gulf and Everglades...its a shallow area (about 4 feet) with many species of fish.

The weather was beautiful...sunny and in the 80's.  The boys peppered the guide with questions about the ecosystem they were observing and he gave them great answers and information.  It is so stimulating to go someplace new and learn new information.

  What a haul on the dock before cleaning the fish.  We ate red fish that night that Patrick cooked...delicious!!!

 Timothy celebrated his 31st Birthday while in Florida and  we took a hike to a bird refuge, saw lots of birds and as you see below some alligators!!!  Creepy!

We traveled to Placida which is north of Fort Myers and stayed with Meg and Gary, friends from Traverse City.  Mike and Gary fished and caught many many fish.  For some reason there were no pictures taken so I am not sure what to think about the many fish stories!!  No really they did catch fish and Mike is always happy when he is catching fish.  It was a great visit and we thank them for their hospitality.  We are now on our way towards New Orleans to visit friends and then head back to TC.
Love to you all....Kathy and Michael

Marco Island Vacation

Well we did the Florida vacation this year...what fun we had.  Marco Island has great weather...the 80's.. and except for a few clouds at the end of the last day we had sunshine.  We rented a house with 4 bedrooms and a great heated (to 86 degrees) pool that allowed the little ones to spend lots and lots of time in the water because they did not get cold.
The beach was a few blocks away and Grandpa and Grandpa took the babies for a walk almost every day which was a real treat.  

 Patrick, Heather and Finnley at the beach.  We went for the sunset this afternoon and hunted for sea shells.

        Timothy, Casey and Seamus at the beach.  Timothy's birthday was this week also so we could                   celebrate him being 31.  We went on a hike to a bird refuge and even saw alligators!!

               I loved loved loved being with the two kids and playing in the sand was so fun for all of us. We made lots of great memories.

 What a GREAT picture.  Those sneaky kids got this one framed and surprised us with it and a delicious dinner with a decorated cake  for our anniversary...it will be 40 years in March so this was  our trip to celebrate with everyone.

                                            Here is the family... what a handsome group!!

 Deidre( Mikes niece) and husband  Stephen along with their kids Luca and Taj joined us for a couple of days.  Below are the newest Nolan cousins..Luca, Finnley, Seamus and Taj.  And if you think it was easy to get this photo you are crazy!!  Three toddlers in motion is like herding cats!!

Mike and I are now making our way north and are with friends in Placida.  Mike is fishing with Gary today and Meg and I are relaxing by the pool.  We will continue on and be home by March 2nd.  I know it is still snowing at home but we will be refreshed and ready to face it by the time we get home.
Kathy and Michael

Vacation in the WARM

Michael and I left a week ago and started our trip to the warmth of Florida.  We traveled the snowy roads of Michigan thru Ohio and Pennsylvania to Washington DC where Michael had meeting for his Cigar Association.  I spent several days on the National Mall visiting the wonderful Smithsonian Museums.  I went the the Natural History Museum and was lucky to visit  the butterfly house which was fantastic..the butterflies were everywhere.  I also saw the IMAX movie about the monarch butterflies.  Then I was lucky enough to get a free tour by a volunteer.  Great place to visit

 I also went to the American History Museum and saw many fascinating exhibits.  The one above is about cooking in America from 1950 to now and features various chefs...the kitchen above is the actual kitchen of Julia Childs that she used for her television show.

A sobering scene  for Black History Month...the lunch counter that helped start the civil rights movement.  We have come so far but the fight is never over.

Wednesday Mike and I were lucky enough to get an after hour tour with his cigar association  from a former US Rep.  We heard many insider stories and saw things that are not seen on the regular tours.  It was fantastic to be on  the House floor and sit in the seats that the Representatives sit in and learn how the room is arranged for the State of the Union address. There are no pictures allowed in that room due to security issues.

                           The rotunda with two statutes of important people from all 50 states was inspiring.

 We exited Washington DC in a snowstorm that paralyzed the city....but we are from northern Michigan and have snow tires so we left with no problems.  They are not prepared for a storm like that and the city was at a standstill. No traffic!!  We traveled down I 95 and did well till we got to South Carolina where large sections did not have electricity.  We did not find a hotel room till 8 pm and after going to many hotels and having them closed due to no electricity.  Yea for the last room at the Best Western!!!!!

 Our next stop was at our nieces house near Gainsville.  Deidre and her husband Stephen and sons Luca and Taj were gracious hosts for a night.  We got to meet the newest Nolan family member..Taj who is 5 months old.  He is a happy boy!!!

 So here we are on Marco Island with our grandchildren...Finnley and Seamus... oh and their parents too.  We are staying in a house with a pool and are able to walk to the beach. It is in the 80's and sunny.  What a change from the crazy winter we have been having in Michigan.  More in the next blog about the fun in the sun.

We are so pleased to be with our kids and grandkids.  However my heart is sad for the loss of a friend, Michelle, to breast cancer a few days ago.  We are thankful for every day of health and joy.  Prayers and love to her family.  More later....Love to you all   Kathy and Michael

Michigan Winter

 Michigan is the Winter Wonderland and this year is proving to be a challenge.
We have had lots of snow and cold temps as everyone has been hearing about on the news.  Our average winter snowfall is about 101 inches.  There are lots of different reports but depending on where you are in this area we are at 130 to 153 inches so far.  It is a challenge to find places to put it all.  Thank goodness for snow blowers.
The picture to the left is Finnley on our deck.  She is not in love with snow.  She has trouble walking except in shoveled areas and she does not like mittens.

                                                    Our little valentine with her Grandpa.

 We did have a few days with some sun...so uplifting to the spirit to see sun.  You can see the tunnel to the street.  It is about up to my chest where it is piled.  It was about 1 degrees the day I took these pictures.

 Deck picture and a picture of Patrick and Finnley in the alley...it is one lane now.  No place to put the snow.

 Finnley is in swimming lessons and is doing fantastic.  We leave for Florida, via Washington DC, on Sat and the kids and grand kids will be joining us on Marco Island.  We will have a pool so it will be great to relax in the warmth and let the babies play.

 I had to include this...a selfie of Finnley and Grandma.  Hope all is well with everyone!!  
Kathy and Michael

CHRISTMAS 2013

Happy Holidays to our Friends and Family

 We gathered in Traverse City this Christmas and had a great time with the grandchildren.  Finnley is 16 months and Seamus is 7 months.  Both are not quite old enough to really enjoy Santa and all the fun kid activities of Christmas but we enjoyed the children at the holidays.  It is the first time that they had met and Seamus had his first trip to Michigan.  We spent the weekend before at the cabin and then came back to TC in a snow storm where we had to tow Timothy and Casey's car on the unplowed back roads.  Exciting!!

 Finnley is a ham and such a sucker for the camera.   We were on our way to story hour at the Library.

 So here is Seamus...the smiling and laughing fellow who has his serious moments also...he studies you  and is not always sure of new people.  It was so wonderful to see Timothy and Casey as new parents.  They are doing a great job and enjoying every second!

                                                      Grandma and Grandpa with Seamus Patrick

                                                      Seamus hanging out  with the boys

                  Casey's mother , Kym, joined us for the holiday..how great to have                                                                                  two grandma's to spoil Seamus!

 The Christmas outfits before we got into dinner...they are so adorable!!  Seamus was not sure what to make of Finnley's fancy hat.   He looks so much like Timothy at the same age that is is spooky!  We are very blessed to have such healthy and beautiful grandchildren.
 All our best wishes for a great new year.        Kathy and Michael
                                                                     

November 2013

Greetings from a snowy Michigan.  We have  had tons of snow in November.  The view from the deck at the cabin looks like February.
 Nov 15th was the opening of deer season and the ten year anniversary of our fire at the cabin.  Hard to believe..I hope no one has to ever go through something like that.  Not fun.
We have spent weekend  time at the cabin this last month and were lucky to have the family out for Thanksgiving Dinner.

              Mike deep fried a turkey and Patrick did the carving...a good looking bird and boy!

                Grandma Deb (Heather's Mom) with Finnley...she is such a flirt...Finnley I mean.

        So who is laughing harder..Finnley was very entertaining all day and thinks Grandpa is really funny.

 Some  down time with Daddy and her favorite book.  She had not been to the cabin for awhile and so it was all new and exciting.  The dinner was wonderful and with  help from all it came off without a hitch.  We were so glad that Deb and Duane could join us for the day.  December is upon us and the Holiday season has begun with our first Christmas party to attend tomorrow!!  We hope this Thanksgiving finds you healthy , happy and spending time with your family.  Love to all   Kathy and Michael