We left on a Tuesday after closing the Family History Center early. We were packed and ready before going to Lexington. However, leaving from Lexington added an additional 30 minutes to our drive. We still made great time even if there were a ton of crazies on the road. Everyone was changing lanes a lot and I do believe my dear hubby felt like he might be getting into Egypt traffic. Not quite as bad but concerning anyway.
We met Jake at his apartment in Chelsea. I went to the door and knocked to tell him we were there. For some silly reason, when he opened the door I jumped as it scared me a bit. Why, I do not know. We both got a chuckle out of it.
Jake in the front seat and me in the back, Claude drove us to Ann Arbor where Jake treated us to dinner at Joe's Crab Shack. Yummy!!! Then we went back to Jake's apartment and collected the Christmas presents we sent home with him in December and he and Nissa never were able to meet to make the transfer of gifts. Then Jake went to our hotel room with us where we viewed the Egypt pictures and talked till it was time to take him home and us go to bed.
Our plan had been to sleep in Wednesday morning because we thought all the Muskegon branch of the family would be at work and school during the day. Nissa sent us a text Tuesday saying Todd switched days off for her so she could be with us and shuttle Aubrey around in preparation for all her singing practices. So we got up and hit the road early so we could enjoy some time with Nissa.
We met her at her home and took her to lunch. What fun to have one-on-one time with our daughter. Then we visited Todd at the work where we purchased new wiper blades for my car and a battery for Claude's key fob. Thank you Todd!!
Nissa had to pick up Aubrey at practice for Festival at Muskegon High School. She would be singing for it. Claude and I headed to the hotel for a shower an a little rest before the kids got home and we were to return to the Tyler home.
This was the first night of Aubrey's performance a Showcase.
Showcase is a competition between the schools in Western Michigan. Each school is allowed to pick two acts to perform. Aubrey was one of the acts chosen from Muskegon High School. She would sing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow". There are lots of other pieces of Showcase, like the arts portion, the literary portion, the athletic portion, etc. Each of these types of entries compete for cash prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in their respective categories.
Claude and I were blown away by Aubrey's performance. She was next to last on the program. Her voice was pure and full and she even had a cold. Her presentation was exactly right for the words she was singing. She just nailed it. She did not win but she nailed it. She was simply beautiful. So proud of this young lady.
We had some rest time until the kids got home from school and Katelyn got home from her test at college. We had Paul and Aubrey do their chores and then we scooped up these grandmonsters for a run to Big Apple Bagels for a smoothie treat. Then we drove around to find the best birthday cake. Nissa, Paul and Aubrey have birthdays in March, Todd has his birthday in April. The plan was to have a family dinner and birthday celebration for everyone while we were in Muskegon.
Nissa and Todd managed to get home early thanks to a co-worker who agreed to cover closing the store. So we headed to The Pita Place for family dinner. Such good food and a nice round table all of us could sit at to visit while we ate.
Then back to the Tyler home for present opening, family time and watching of the Egypt pictures.
It was great fun and we prepared to head to our hotel and let this family get some rest before school and work the next day...then we remembered...we had purchased a birthday cake. So we paused to have a very sugary cake before we all would retire to our respective beds to the night. I did not sleep well at all. I wonder why???
It was such a good visit. Loved seeing all our Michigan family. Grateful for this opportunity and the ability to make this fun trip.
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