Last 6 months in Michigan- part 2: Fall Fun

Busy and fun, full of sunshine and then fall leaves- Michigan is a wonderful place to be in the early fall. Here are a few of the comings and goings from that time in our life . . . First Day of School . . . including Lillian's first day of full day Kindergarten! Cynthia started 3rd grade and Marcus started 5th grade- at Donald J Yack's Elementary in Harrison Township, Michigan. It is amazing to think back now- since the kids are in a completely new school here in Spokane, including only half-day Kindergarten for Lillian. Yack's Elementary was very good to us and the kids learned and had many wonderful experiences there.

Another fun activity that took up our time during the months of October and November is Upward Football and cheerleading. The kids had so much fun with their friends in this low-key sports setting. I can't say Marcus was overly fond of flag-football itself, but he did enjoy being there with his team and other friends. Cynthia absolutely LOVED cheerleading, especially since she could be on a squad with her best friend from church- Macey. So fun!!

Macey's brother and Marcus' friend Carter and his mom (my friend!) Erin. Posting this reminds me how much I miss them and their family!!

We had fun as a family cheering for them at their games! Best sisters ever . . .

This was taken the same day as the BIG Univ of Michigan and Michigan State game . . . Jon's wearing the green for Michigan State, and Tyler is wearing the amazingly cute Univ. of Michigan Blue and Yellow track suit Jon scored on at the thrift store. It has become our favorite outfit for him to wear! The best is that here in Spokane, Mead High School also uses the same colors and the big M - - I even think their fight song is the same. Cool, huh!

Some random family pictures at stake conference - - Marcus friend Zack is with us too.

A visit from my sister Laura (we had so much fun together always) - - again, something I really miss about living in Michigan- seeing my sister and her family often!!!

More fun outings which were typical this time in our life- walks to the school playground and to "Manilla Jumps"- a little wooded area with a stream that runs through our neighborhood, and to a "pets and people" event at the local college. It is important for me to note the extra boy that is in many of these pictures- this is Christian- Marcus and Cynthia's best friend who lived just around the corner from us. He spent many an afteroon playing with the kids! It about broke my heart when the day we moved he came by with tears in his eyes and goodbye gifts saying "why do you guys HAVE to move?" Every once and awhile Marcus and Christian still talk on the phone and play computer games together over the internet (Roblox mostly).

Last 6 months in Michigan- part one: Lake Michigan and Chicago

Back to our last fun trip of the summer of 2011- - we went camping at Lake Michigan at Warren Dunes, and then visited my brother Steve and his family in Chicago.

Finding butterflies/ and dragon flies with the park ranger . . .





Camping is always fun- - Daddy cooking breakfast, smores . . .






The beach was amazing! I can close my eyes and remember how it felt- - the warm sun, the amazingly soft lake michigan sand and dunes and the sound of the waves . . . We called the sand- Cinnamon and Sugar sand because that is exactly what it looked like. It was so soft that it was wonderful just to wallow in it- I caught Tyler "swimming" in it because it felt so nice. The lake is a deep blue color and looks like the ocean- but without the salty coastal smell I am used to. I can see why Lake Michigan (especially the Michigan side) is a favorite destination for people in the mid-west.
















Our next stop was Chigago- one of my favorite cities. We only spent one day there- with a short few hours seeing the city sky line and driving around the city center, and going to the nearby conservatory to see the wonderful plants. Mostly we had fun visiting with my brother Steve and his wife Natalie- and their two children Joshua and Kelsey.

Quick update

Family pictures from Easter!


Before I move on to blogging some of the last months in Michigan - - I will write a super quick update. Things are AWESOME here in Spokane. The flowers are now in bloom and the sun is shining today (after lots of rain last month)- - and as I hear the breeze blow through the pine trees I feel so at home. Needless to say, things are super busy now that we have been put to work at church. I am now in the Young Women's presidency- over the Beehives (12 and 13 year old girls) and so far have been loving it!! I am super excited to be working with these BEAUTIFUL girls. Jon is now in the Elder's Quorum presidency- and of course the kids are super busy with school, etc. Cynthia just started SYSA Track and had her first track meet yesterday. We have been out of town several times- Spring Break in Utah and then Yakima and Sunnyside last weekend. WOW- when I think about the amount of dearly loved family and friends I have been priveleged to see in the last month- it is mind staggering. I feel so very loved. More pictures to follow- - hopefully not too long from now. Things are starting to settle down a LITTLE, so I am hoping to do some catching up. I have to share the computer with the kids too- - making it even harder for me to really get on and post.