It Really Is A Wonderful Life!: Michigan

Last weekend Noah and I flew to Michigan with my dad and Diane. My 96 year old grandmother still lives in the town she was born in, and where my dad and his 2 brothers grew up. In early April, my uncle Arlo lost his battle with cancer and this past weekend he was buried next to his dad. Although the trip was for such a sad reason, it really was great to spend time with family. It was the first time my grand mother had all but one of her grand children and ALL of her great grand children in the same place!

Noah is such a great traveler..and it didn't hurt that we flew first class. Since my dad just had hip surgery, he called to upgrade his ticket but since all our tickets were purchased together, all of them had to be upgraded! There is something to be said about having a few glasses of FREE wine before you even leave the gate. Okay...maybe not free since you pay for it in the upgrade but go with it...

We got to Michigan a few hours after Uncle Bubba and Aimee got there from Florida and we met them and my cousin, Elliot at the Corner Bar for some hot dogs...

Friday morning was the funeral service and it really was beautiful! Arlo touched so many lives with his huge personality and it was nice to honor him is such a great way! It was also really great that my Aunt Anne flew in from California! Anne was married to my dad's oldest brother until he lost his battle with ALS a decade ago.

While we were in Rockford, we walked around the town and enjoyed the awesome weather! We could not have asked for more perfect weather that weekend!!

This picture of Asher cracks me up! Asher is my cousin, Alyssa's, child and it looks like he is doing some amazing trick....

Noah LOVED playing with his cousins....

Over the weekend, Rockford held this HUGE Relay for Life event and we all got to go....

on Saturday, we all decided to head to Lake Michigan to the kite festival...Alyssa, don't get mad when you read this but i have to laugh when i look through pictures of this day because Noah always asks me now, "Mom, was that the day we waited on Alyssa all day?" haha, Yes, Noah!...this day has been renamed "The day we waited on Alyssa"...but we are glad she finally caught up with us!!!

the family photo...minus Alyssa....we can just pretend Alyssa took the photo instead of some stranger who ended up sicking my camera down her shirt...don't ask!