Bonnie Visit...

Bonnie, Claude's mom, arrived very late Tuesday evening, May 9th. We had Wednesday morning together, then Claude and Bonnie went to Lagrange so she could visit with the Marx family. I stayed to get Papa to the doctor, then the nursing home, then teach my Institute class. 

Thursday, May 11th, we visited in the morning and then all three of us drove to LaGrange. We would enjoy a nice visit with the Marx family again and attend Hayden's end-of-year band concert. Hayden received a lapel pin for his award for participating with three other young men in a mixed quartet of instruments. 

Andie, Bonnie, Hayden & Claude - 4 Generations

Andie, Hayden & Michael

Hayden and his award

Hayden, Bonnie & Bailey

Andie, Hayden, Bonnie, Bailey & Michael

Andie & Bonnie

We were able to introduce the family to PeePee Bear. This was a treasure we purchased in China. Alan McKay, our tour guide, gave me the name of a beautiful flower on a tree beside the Li River. He told me the flower made a very nice herbal tea that was great for sore throats. Latter he was having some and gave me a taste. It was good. When visiting the Terracotta Warriors, we had lunch at a restaurant there. They placed flyers in front of each guest naming all these teas and offering free tasting. I told Alan I didn't see the tea he mentioned on their list. He asked me to follow him, which I did. He introduced me to the lady in the lobby area with all these teas and asked if she has osmantis. She said she did but it was not on the list they gave out. She prepared a taste for me and I told her I would like to purchase some to take home. We picked a big, lovely can. Then Alan asked if she had a PeePee Bear. She smiled and said she did. He asked if it was ready and she smiled and reached under her counter and pulled out this adorable little terracotta bear. She sat him on the counter and poured really hot water gently over his head. Immediately he began to pee a stream that arched way over the counter. Claude and I were in stitches. I asked if she had one to sell because I knew my grandmonsters would love this part of our trip. While visiting the Marx family, we had a PeePee Bear demonstration. As expected, it was a highlight.

Friday, May 12th, I quickly went to Papa's in the morning. Made sure he had bananas and his pill things were filled. Tried to be sure he understood we were leaving for Michigan and I would be home late Sunday. The repairman was there to fix the door handle on his fridge but couldn't because he needed the part. Ugh...I called Ball Realty May 1st to tell them the handle on Papa's refrigerator came off. It broke at the top of the door where the screws are and then the bottom just slips over a screw and that easily slipped off when the top part broke off. They didn't respond. I called again on the 2nd of May and left another message and asked for a response. They called back later that day and explained they had ordered the part and it would be installed as soon as it came in. The repair man standing in front of me Friday was headed to Lowe's to get a part. I told him the main office already ordered a part. He tried to call the office. They seemed confused about the part and if it was ordered and when it was ordered and who I talked to, etc., etc., etc. I just smiled at the poor repairman caught in the middle and assured him if he would get the part and install it we would be very happy. Not a problem. He said the office did have it and he would pick it up first thing Monday morning and install it first before doing other things. He didn't come until Tuesday but Papa does finally have a door handle on his fridge again. 

After all this fun and games, I returned home and Claude, Bonnie and I hit the road for Michigan. We stopped for lunch along the way and for gas just before entering Michigan. We picked Jake up at his apartment at about 6pm and then headed off to Muskegon. This time I had us all booked at the Shoreline Inn. This was the view from Claude and my room. Claude pronounced this hotel great and assured me we should always stay here and have this room. 

Saturday, May 13th, was a family day from beginning to end. We gathered at Nissa and Todd's home. Katelyn picked up Paul and brought him over. We just enjoyed time to catch up with each other and visit. Raelyn took her morning nap. Claude and I went to the garage to see all that Todd had done with the yellow Jeep. He has really perked it up and he and Nissa are loving long rides on the weekends. Claude was so very happy it has a good home and knows that Todd will love it and care for it just as he has. 

Todd and Raelyn play the piano

After Miss Raelyn awoke from her nap, we were off to Max and Marley's for lunch. This is a really fun hot dog place right along Lake Michigan in Muskegon. Fun place to eat. And...as an added bonus...the Emporium is next door which is a candy shop made out of an old gas station. They have homemade candies and are also stocked with the old fashioned candy bars Claude loved as a kid. He got several Rocky Road and Big Hunk candy bars to bring home.

Raelyn awakes from her nap

Claude, Jake, Paul, Drew, Katelyn, Nissa and Aubrey

Paul holding Raelyn

Todd led our little caravan of three cars to Lake Michigan. Our hope was to walk out to the light house but they haven't opened the pier to it yet. So, we opted for family picture taking with Lake Michigan as the backdrop.

Todd, Aubrey, Jake, Nissa, Paul Bonnie, Drew. Katelyn & Raelyn in front.

Nissa and Bonnie

Jake and Bonnie

Nissa, Katelyn, Paul, Bonnie, Aubrey and Claude - 4 Generations

Nissa, Sandi, Jacob, Bonnie and Claude

Drew, Raelyn and Katelyn

The above picture is so cute. Drew and Katelyn will get down on either side of Raelyn. They count to three and then they both smother her with kisses on either side of her face. She loves it. When they are through, she reaches up and pushes their faces together so they kiss each other in front of her. Clearly they do this a lot as she knew exactly what was coming and exactly what to do with them after her kiss.

Nissa told us about the 'Block House'. We had not seen this before so we caravanned over for a visit. This has been restored and would have been an early fortification to protect the area.

Paul in front of the Block House

Claude, Sandi, Nissa & Jake

My Boys: Jacob & Claude

Nissa (trying to get a higher view for her camera) held up by Katelyn & Aubrey

Katelyn (If Mama can do it, so can I!)

Raelyn and her blue sucker.

We returned to the Tyler home so Raelyn could have another short nap. Then we all had dinner at the Pita Place. Aubrey drove Paul home and our car followed the Roper car to Grand Haven to see their apartment. After that visit, our car load returned to that lovely hotel for a good nights rest.

Sunday, May 14th, was Mother's Day. We had a light breakfast at the Tyler home and then took a few more pictures with the Lilac bush as a backdrop. When Nissa and David bought this home, Bonnie gave her money to purchase some Lilac bushes. This is one of those bushes.

Bonnie, Katelyn holding Raelyn, Nissa & Claude - 5 Generations

Bonnie, Katelyn holding Raelyn, Nissa & Sandi - The Mother's (except for Raelyn, she is just proof of motherhood)

Nissa and her Lilacs

After a little more visiting we loaded up the Envision and pointed it East to take Jake back to Chelsea. It was a good visit. 

Aubrey, Drew holding Raelyn, Katelyn, Nissa & Todd

Monday, May 15th, I went back to Georgetown and purchased groceries for Papa and visited with him a bit. Then Claude and I took Bonnie to the Ark Encounter. She totally enjoyed this outing.

Claude standing with Bonnie

Bonnie & Claude

After a nice lunch on the veranda of Emzara's, we were totally worn out and came home and crashed for the rest of the evening.

Tuesday morning I got up early and headed to the basement to put all my pictures on CD's for Bonnie to take home. Then Claude and I drove her to the Cincinnati Airport. It was wonderful having her visit and I know it did my hubby's heart good to have his Mom visit one more time.