Michigan Bound...

We carved out 3 days to make a quick trip to Michigan. We left Sunday morning, September 11th and drove to Chelsea. We met Jake at Joe's Crab Shack and had a lovely lunch, his treat. Then we drove back to Chelsea and had ice cream at Twisters, Claude's treat. Jake looked good and seems to be doing well. Always love being with our son.

Then we left Chelsea about 6:30pm to go to Muskegon. As luck would have it, we encountered a wreck in a construction zone. The wait was 1 1/2 hours. Ugh!! We texted family that we would be in late and just go to the hotel. Every Michigan resident will tell you they have 2 seasons in Michigan: winter and construction. Amen. Lots of road construction and repair going on everywhere. Don't know how they will finish it before snow falls.

Monday, September 12th, we were up early and off to Katelyn and Drew's new apartment. They just moved to a 2 bedroom within the same apartment community they were living in. They had put lots of stuff already put away and still had the living room full of boxes. Raelyn had some breakfast and then we played a bit before her nap time. She has learned to crawl. We gave her a new ball we purchased in Berea. Mimi used to make these balls for babies. She has a game she plays with her Mother and Father where she scrunches up her face and makes a little growling noise. She taught Claude how to play. Raelyn won!! And, with moving boxes aplenty, she had to be in one and get pulled around the floor. Such a cutie. Her hair is starting to grow and it appears to be a strawberry blond color.

Drew worked all night Sunday night doing the jobs of two men. He was really exhausted. So we had him take a nap when Raelyn was taking a nap. Claude and I wanted to do something to help the kids in this move. We determined getting them a real bed would be a good thing. So while Drew and Raelyn slept, Claude and Katelyn went out to find a bed. Fortunately Katelyn and Drew had done some looking so she knew where to go. I set to work helping Katelyn finish unpacking her kitchen. It quickly became clear they needed a few things to help make this kitchen work. I started my list of things that might help everything have a place and what things might need to be paired down. I got a few more boxes emptied and had a plan in place about the time Claude and Katelyn came home. Bed purchased and set for delivery Monday afternoon. 

While we were with the Roper's, Nissa and Todd were at his check-up. He had cancer and this was a follow-up treatment. He is doing well and shows no signs of the cancer. This was the best news we could have heard all day. So very grateful and happy about this. Todd can now go hunting this season. He has missed the last two and was on cloud nine he could go this year.

Off to Muskegon we all went to meet other family for lunch at the Pita Place. This is a must stop for Claude and me when we go to Muskegon. Nissa, Paul and Aubrey joined us and we all had a nice lunch together. Seated around the table are Drew, Aubrey, Claude, Nissa, Paul and Katelyn. The next two pictures are Raelyn's feet and Raelyn eating Greek fries. She does take after her mother, father and Claude in that regard. 

Then we all went back to Nissa's house for a visit. Katelyn and I snuck out for a bit to go to K-Mart. I really wanted to get the items that would help her finish putting her kitchen together. We found those and headed back to Nissa's. We took some much treasured family photos. With Nissa's kids all grown and out of the house, it is nice to get the pictures when they are all together.

First, Nissa's kids: Katelyn, Paul and Aubrey.

Then, Nissa with her kids: Paul, Nissa, Katelyn and Aubrey.

Then us with the Grandmonsters: Paul, Sandi, Claude, Katelyn (on the ground) and Aubrey.

Claude got a quick picture of me with Raelyn. So fun to have a baby around again.

The kids all left and Claude and I took Nissa and Todd to dinner. After shutting down the Pizza Ranch (we are such happening people), we all went to our hotel room for a visit. 

Tuesday morning we checked out of the hotel and met Drew, Katelyn and Raelyn for breakfast before we hit the road. This is a picture I just love. Raelyn holding Claude's finger. I posted it on Facebook with the caption: Bye Grampa. I love you!

It was a very quick trip. So happy we were able to see everyone for a bit. Getting hugs is the best. Catching up face-to-face is the best. Very happy we were able to make this quick trip.