We're hoooome

We had a great trip. As always it was too busy, too much driving, too many people we love to see, and not enough time. We were able to see my mom, Dan's parents and grandma, his brother and sister-in-law (SIL) and neice and nephew and my brother and SIL and my nephews. We have the cutest family. Seriously.

I was so happy to be able to attend my nephew H's first birthday party. I felt bad since it was our lateness that pushed back the fetivities into his naptime - but he was a trooper and was precious as always.

I think we packed well on this trip - although I actually forgot a couple of things, but I didn't feel drowned in clothes and excess like we had on other trips. It will however take us 3 weeks to unpack the van.

On our trip we visited Spicer's Orchard, and had a picnic lunch of Jimmy John's, and then the kids played at the playground, and we got to pet the prettiest little cow I've ever seen, and you know I love me some cows.

We also went to Birch Run where Dan and I tackled a BLT made with 1 lb of bacon (picture to come - and we are proud to say that we couldn't eat the whole thing!) and then did some shopping. Later that day we headed to Frankenmuth (aka, "Michigan's Little Bavaria") and did about 70% of our Xmas shopping at River Place and Bronners. The girls just loved Bronners - and really, what kid wouldn't, there are a million bazillion christmas lights and decorations. One employee told me their electric bill is $900 a day.

We spent an afternoon in Chelsea with my brother-in-law and his family. My SIL, T, made this cheeseball mix that was soooooooooooooooo good. It's Lemon Cheesecake by Wind & Willow. We dipped graham cracker sticks into it - and it was delicious. She made the mistake of telling be where to buy the mix - and I bought quite a bit of it for future use and gifts.

My other SIL, M, made the cutest little cake for H's birthday. I think she should go into business making cakes (I'll share a picture later once I find the camera and download some). She's really good at it - and it was super tasty too!

I'm committed to finishing out NaBloPoMo even though our travels left me unable to accomplish my goal of everyday. :)