The morning we were leaving for Michigan started normal enough... I walked out of my bedroom to let the dogs out and Ketcher was screaming "I HAVE TO POOP!!!"
We rushed to the potty and he had explosive diarrhea. At the same time Kenzie walked in the bathroom, grabbed the teal waste basket and started puking into it.
We wrapped the car in plastic and I brought 4 changes of clothes for each of them. I was praying for no sickness on the plane, but it might have made the security line in Denver a little faster. Either way, we were lucky enough to have neither kid sick until the car ride to Flint.
A few days into the trip we went up north (Michigan style) to hang out at The Ranch. This place rivaled the ritziest place I've ever been... except maybe The Louvre for obvious reasons. If that's what going up north is count me in!!!
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| This is The Ranch at night... imagine the day time pic! Which I forgot to take... |
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| A giant elk was the first thing we saw at The Ranch. You know it's real because he's peeing. |
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| Beautiful setting where he can fish from now on. |
It was very serene and could have been emotional until, without thinking, I handed the ashes to my nephew and said "So do you want to do a ceremonial ash shaking?" If you didn't find that line funny, say it out loud. Hear it now?
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| Thanks Dad for sending me the line "ash shaking" while we are trying to do something serious. |
We headed over to one more location. It was a camp ground with the most beautiful, unfiltered view of the sunset we could have ever asked for.
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| If this doesn't say Heaven, what does? |
I managed to keep my mouth shut at this location and I took some great pics. This is after the scattering with my mom, sister, and nephews Brandon and Wes.
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| Unfiltered Michigan beauty. |
The downside to staying at this luxury location was my daughter, who was both tired and sick, decided she would channel a demon. I know she is only 3, and we all know 3 year olds are like earthquakes, leaving devastation and tears in their wakes, but I know she CAN be a really good girl. Apparently she didn't want anyone to know that about her, so she refused to eat, she made high pitched barking noises, wouldn't keep her feet off the table, and had a threenager attitude.
My sister and her family were classy, loving, and gracious to us despite my little terror. They taught my kids how to fish, took them on tractor rides, played with bubbles, colored pictures together, and were just wonderful people to be around.
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| Auntie Stacy teaching Ketcher how to fish. My Dad would have been so proud. |
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| They really got into looking at the bugs living under the dock. |
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| Ketcher going for a tractor ride with Uncle Anthony. |
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| Kenzie's turn! |
My niece, Alayna, who is equally as goofy as she is beautiful.
My nephew, Wes & his fiancé Ashley, who are complete opposites in nearly every way, except they are both old souls that probably knew each other long before this life.
My nephew, Brandon, who grew into such a compassionate gentleman. I just wanted to kidnap him and bring him back to Colorado with us. Kenzie put up the picture he colored for her in her bedroom to remember him... since she couldn't seem to remember his name in person.
My brother-in-law, Anthony, rough around the edges, but made sure to give my kids the full ranch experience. I know he will be the one to teach them why their Papa loved the outdoors.
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| George Washington hair compliments of Alayna! |
She also, hand sewed this pillow from one of my Dad's favorite shirts for me.
Thank you Best family, I am beyond grateful to have you in my life. Dad lives on through every one of you.
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| Just thought this pic was funny. |
