Michigan Bound...

Thursday, May 2nd, Claude and I loaded the red Buick and pointed it northward to Michigan. We would stop in Chelsea to pick up Jake and then head to Muskegon for the weekend.

While driving into Michigan Claude pointed out the compass in the car might not be right. As he drove north, very clearly north, the compass said we were going south, west, south west, north, east. It was all over the place. We got to Jake's a little before he was to arrive from work. Claude drove to the parking lot of a car dealership/repair place. He spent enough time going in tiny little circles very slowly until I was actually getting dizzy. That recalibrates the compass but it sure looks funny to those watching and wondering if that red car with the Kentucky plates may have possibly lost their minds.

With Jake loaded in the car we began the last leg of our journey to Muskegon. We  checked into the hotel and changed our clothes. Then we headed to the Tyler home so that Jake could change his clothes and we could connect with the Tyler family to go to Katelyn's graduation. Our evening would be spent at the L.C. Walker Arena in Muskegon watching our oldest grandmonster walk and receive her Associates Degree from Muskegon Community College.

Can you see that grinning face in the middle of the graduates? That's our Katelyn.

When it was time for Katelyn to walk, I turned to Nissa and said, "I'll get the video. You get the still shots." She nodded her okay with that plan. I set my camera to video and moved to a place on the steps so my video would be better only to find I couldn't get the best picture there. The lady next to the step on which I was sitting told me to reach across in front of her as far as I needed. I still couldn't get the best picture. She handed my camera down three more people and, whoever that kind person was, they took an excellent video of Katelyn walking across the stage and accepting her diploma. Hence, I only have video and I have not the time now to extract a picture from that video. Trust me, KTNik did walk and did get her diploma.

 

I did get pictures of Katelyn hugging her family.

 

We ended our evening with McFlurries and burgers for anyone interested in either or both of those things.

Friday meant school and work for all but four of us. What to do? What to do?  We opted for a walk on the beach at Lake Michigan. It was a delightful morning for us and very refreshing.

After the beach, Jake treated the four of us to delicious smoothies at Apple Bagel. Then we headed back to Casa Tyler for a rest before Aubrey and Paul got home from school.  It was at this point we realized Katelyn did not have the keys to her home or her car. No key ring. We went through my purse three time and found nothing. We drove to where Nissa and Todd work and got their key to the house. Katelyn had extra car keys in her bedroom.

Aubrey and Paul made it home from school and did their chores so we could take them to dinner. The Pita Place was our destination. We had a wonderful dinner with Aubrey and Paul and then back to the house. Aubrey was to perform in the school's production of Thoroughly Modern Millie, Jr. Friday night was the first of two performances. We got Aubrey to the theater two hours prior to the performance.

Nissa, Claude, Jake and I would go to see the Friday night performance. We enjoyed our balcony seats. Aubrey was a natural and you could tell she totally enjoyed her venture into theater. After the play, the cast came out in costume and talked to the audience who stayed to give them their attaboys. Claude gave Aubrey his program and asked for her autograph. Can you tell this pleased her no end?

Aubrey's performance was followed by a trip to Burger King for after theater dining.

Saturday Nissa and Todd had the day off. Katelyn, Paul and Aubrey would spend their morning swimming in the hotel pool. Then we all headed back toward Lake Michigan to dine a Max & Marley's. This is an exceptional hot dog stand that we have heard rave review about. They serve a huge menu of every kind of hot dog you can think of. Claude had the 'Ripper'. This is a hot dog that is fried until the skin bursts. I enjoyed a polish sausage hot dog. It was yummy.

Back to the Tyler home to watch the pictures of our Ireland trip. And then get Aubrey to the theater two hours early. The rest of us would go back to the Pita Place for salads for dinner since we all were still too full for a big meal after our hot dog feast. Alas it seems it is impossible for me to go to the Pita Place and not have a falafel. I did choose to have the smallest version for this dining experience.

Todd, Nissa, Claude, me, Jake and Katelyn would all go to Muskegon High School to watch Aubrey again shine as Gloria in Thoroughly Modern Millie, Jr. It was great fun. No ice cream and/or hamburgers that night. We were all just too full. Plus, our plan was to have breakfast together before we left to head home.

Sunday morning we all met at Big B's for breakfast. This is the restaurant that Paul scored a t-shirt after eating this HUGE omelet made with 50,000,000 eggs (that is a bit of an exaggeration). Breakfast was big and truly good. We were all happy we didn't eat ice cream and/or hamburgers the night before.

After breakfast hugs were given and received, Jake's stuff was transferred to our car, and we began the return trip to drop Jake off and then get home to Sadieville.

EPILOGUE:
Upon returning home I emptied my craft bag while putting things away. Guess what fell out. Yep, Katelyn's car keys. I sent a quick text to Katelyn and she replied "LOL". I mailed them to her on Monday with a CD of all the pictures and video of the trip.

Great trip...Love my family!!