Jan 5-7 Until Next Time

Jan 5-7, 2013

After a week of food, family, visits with Nana and Boppa, its nearly over and time to get back to reality. Do we really have to go home?

Much of the extra 30 feet of ice has receded, leaving some ice islands near shore.

Sunrise on Jan 6.

Footie pajamas, playing with your sister on the floor. Priceless.

After everyone left, Ryan and I took on a massive cleanup and some last minute projects. Sunrise on our last day, how I will miss this view!

Until next time…back to Ohio.

Jan 4 Cave Point and Sledding

Jan 4, 2014

After we got back from snowmobiling the wind picked up dramatically and overnight created another 30 feet of ice on the shore.

The waves pounded all day on Jan 4, creating keyholes, arches, blowholes and then destroying them.

In the process of digging the cars out from drifted snow, the crew created a snowman mascot.

We took a mini trip about 10 miles north to explore Cave Point County Park.

Cave Point is lined with limestone cliffs that are carved by the lake. Its as pretty in winter as it is in summer.

Mady and I.

Kevin, Lindsay and Mady sitting on the edge enjoying the view.

Monkeys in the tree.

Ryan relaxing, about 1 minute later a huge wave rolled in, he jumped up in time but Kevin was not so lucky. Just glad he didn't get washed in the freezing lake.

Later on outside our back door, I think the adults enjoyed sledding even more than the kids.

The San Diego Cantzlers. Julia, Isla, Chris and Coraline.

Lindsay getting some air.

Isla braved sledding down the big hill on her own.

Isla about to 'sled bomb' the end of Sean's run.

Classic Kevin. Hours of fun in our own backyard!

Jan 2-3 Exploring the Winter Beach and Snowmobiling

Jan 2-3, 2014

I am not sure yet if the summer sun is as beautiful over Lake Michigan, but these winter blues are stunning.

Sunrise on Jan 2.

Sunset pink sky on Jan 2.

I was trying to catch up with Ryan on a winter beach walk and fell in the snow to my knees at this spot.  Its pretty from down here.

The beach is a little wider now with ice.

We are only missing our Olivia!

Courtesy of my sister Leah, tonight was filled with hours of laughs playing Cards Against Humanity after the kiddies went to bed. Its a vulgar, wrong on so many levels, but hilariously entertaining version of Apples to Apples.

Good morning on Jan 3. The fog rolling across the lake and warm colors is beautiful today.

Time for a little snowmobiling.

We are bundled up and ready to go.

Brayden and Mady.

We warmed up with some hot chocolate at a local pub along the Ahnapee State Trail.

Uh oh, three sleds are sideways, no worries soon we were out and back on the trail. 40+ miles over 4 hours. Thanks Ryan for a fun day exploring southern Door County.

Dec 30- Jan 1 The Road to Wisconsin and First Couple Days

Dec 30, 2013- Jan 1, 2014

After a quick trip to Detroit to see my nursing buddies, we made our way to Wisconsin through northern Michigan.

The snowiest part of our ride. 

Crossing the mighty Mac.

We are back in the sunshine traveling on Route 2 along the southern coast of the upper peninsula.

Worth the wait. The classic UP pastie. Judy at Three Seasons Cafe in Manistique served it up with a smile. All this plus soup and salad for 8.99!

Awoke to this sunrise Dec 31. Winter on Lake Michigan. 

Ahh the game of Life. My mom and I just found my old game in their barn, it got hours of use this week! Thanks Mom! Now only if the real deal was this easy... Get married: collect presents. Congratulations you have a son. Collect $50,000 for climbing Mt. Everest.

 Time for presents. We had some excited little girls :)

Dec 19-25 Christmas in Detroit

Dec 19-25, 2013

I was lucky enough, for the first time in years, to not work over Christmas and got to spend some extra quality time with my family. Ryan joined me for the weekend for some Parak family fun.

The Archs' being silly. 

Travis and Nolan playing Santa's elves. 

Uncle Mike, Olivia and I. 

Grant, Megan and Aunt Patty. My little cousins are turning into adults!

Kiddies indulging in a bedtime ice cream snack. My mom knows how to spoil :)

My family gift exchange is the next day…we can make a pretty good mess. 

Lila and Ceci on Christmas Eve. 

Luckiest godmother in the world! 

My dad and Pinkie in a duel. 

Christmas love.

In addition to a lot of fun family time, I got a chance to catch up with my best girlfriends too. Hope your Holidays were filled with sweet moments, smiles and love.

Nov 28 Thanksgiving and Snow

Nov 28 - Dec 7, 2013

Ryan and I spent a quiet and peaceful Thanksgiving in Columbus. We boycotted all travel and enjoyed at day at home. It was lovely.

Thanksgiving dinner for two. On the menu: salmon, mashed potatoes and gravy with stuffing. Weird combination I know.

A bright snowy morning. 

Olentangy River.

One snowy day I chose cross country skiing over a trip to the gym.

While making Christmas treats for the neighbors, I looked up and found 4 deer in our backyard!