Marquette

We got to spend two days up in Marquette this week! Thursday was a chance for Daddy and Grandpa to climb a mountain with the twins. They did almost all of the two hour hike themselves, but we sure took our time. They really liked throwing rocks into the lake too. I asked them if they would like to live in Marquette one day and they said yes! On the way home we went searching for crayfish in the Rapid River.

Yesterday was our anniversary, so Naomi and I had a whole day to ourselves in Marquette! What a treat! We explored a bit, had some great food, and spent a lot of time on the beach. The water was comfortable (Lake Superior?!) and the sun was shining.

We took the girls for a swim in Lake Michigan this morning after playing a bit of tennis. We had the beach to ourselves. The little fish were nibbling at our feet which sent the twins packing for the sand. Amelie started to get sick and at dinner she threw up into a trash can. Figuring that Abigail wanted to see the little bits of tomato, she brought it to the table for show and tell. Hopefully she makes it through the night alright...

My dad and I got the shelves built in our basement bedroom so I can get the mess down there sorted out. Also got a slide into a wading pool put together. The golf course is, of course, up and running. That lawn sure takes a long time to mow!

America!!!

We made it. Barely. The trains stopped running on the way to the airport due to a broken power line and a bomb threat. We were fortunate enough to get a hold of the only available taxi...the other people on that train probably missed their flights. Managed to make it to the terminal just before gridlock set in, but the lines were insane. Amelie especially was not a fan of having to stand in lines for three hours before making it to the plane in the nick of time.

Arriving in Detroit was, most welcomely, the opposite extreme. No lines. Everyone was friendly! The girls got to play on the moving walkways for most of the enjoyable layover. They didn’t sleep until after we met Grandma and Grandpa in Marquette during the car ride home! That was nearly 20 hours of being awake for them. They did really well.

After a day at home, my parents and I hopped in a car headed for Grandpa’s funeral. I am really grateful that I got to be there. It was a really special event. All eleven grandchildren were able to make it! Seeing the family again was really good and all the other people and the stories they told about Grandpa Jack made for a really memorable trip. Grandpa even brought back a bottle of Irish whiskey and wrote a song for his wake over 20 years ago. Quite something to experience that plan in action.

Yesterday was a quiet (relatively) rainy day around the house. It has been a couple months since I have seen rain, so it was a welcome change. This morning we took the girls to the playground and the beach. We had the place to ourselves! Magnificent. Abigail even fell in the lake, and didn’t bother to cry! We will need to spend lots of time down there.

School's Out!

This was the final week before summer vacation. On Friday there was a farewell to the colleagues who are leaving. Three of the teachers had been there for about 40 years, so it was interesting to hear some of their stories. I am really glad this year is over. I think next year will be much better!

The girls also had their last week of daycare. There was a party for them on Friday. Naomi made some banana boats. They were a bit sad to leave, but excited about starting school. We took them out for pizza to celebrate, and they got some ice cream yesterday.

Now it is time to start thinking about the big trip! I hope everything goes alright on Tuesday. A lot could go wrong though, and it makes me worry a bit. At least we have a friend who is willing to get up really early and bring us to the train station!

Auntie Claire

This has been a really busy week. On Monday I got quite sick with food poisoning or something. Didn't recover completely until yesterday. Thursday was a 14 hour workday and I had to go back in for a meeting on Friday morning. Naomi came with and we had a nice lunch in Zutphen. Then Friday night Claire braved the traffic and drove up from Switzerland. We had a really nice day with her yesterday.

The girls are pretty wiped out. They traded off between either daycare or school this week - trying things out for the first time - so every day they were out of the house. It went really well and they like school a lot, but it was definitely a bit much for one week.

Today I feel the first touch of Fall in the air. We haven't seen rain in a long time and a lot of plants are dying. Nice that things cool off slightly. We will go to the Bosrand, have some quesadillas, wash cars, and eat dinner with our Turkish friends. Curious how that will go with their naughty boys...

Zutphen.

Summertime!

The first day of trying out school.

Grandpa Jack

Last night we had a tasty dinner in honor of Grandpa Jack, who passed away this week. Beer, fish, and french fries. I am sure he would have like it. We will miss him, but it sounds like it was the right time for him to go. Incredible that they made it to their 60 year wedding anniversary!

These last few weeks of school are quite busy for me. I am working more like three days a week instead of two, including a lot of evenings and dinners. Definitely ready for the summer holiday.

Had a nice time in Zutphen with an old friend from Mali, Joost. He came to visit my school and then we had some Moroccan food for dinner at our favorite restaurant. Friday night there was a class party that didn't finish up until 11. Way too late!

The girls also have a busy few weeks. They are going to daycare a bit extra as we had some leftover days and they will also be trying out the elementary school where they will start after the summer holiday. We are really looking forward to America!!