Michigan, Part 2

In mid-August, we were road-tripping, heading for Uncle Caleb's wedding. On Thursday of that week, we drove to Vicksburg, MI, to Bibi and Babu's cabin on Indian Lake. There is also a Nazerene camp ground on Indian Lake that Brandon attended as a child. It was fun to walk around and see what things have changed and what looks the same. We had some free time on Thursday before wedding craziness began, so we made our way to the swim beach.  The kids spent some time digging in the sand, then hit the water. We took a brief swim break when a huge water snake swam into the swim area....but then they were right back out there again.

Cora is technically a little small for a puddle jumper, but she loves to do whatever Jonah does - so we went ahead and got her one of her own. She has picked it up pretty well, and can even kind of propel herself in the water. She's a little water bug, just like her brother.

Later that evening, we took Babu's boat out for a drive around the lake. Jonah even got to drive the boat!

On Friday, there was lots of set up/prep for the wedding and reception, but we tried to keep the kids busy. In between hauling tables and chairs, Brandon took the kids swimming again and to a little playground. After naps, we got everyone ready and headed to the rehearsal. The kids were both in the wedding, as ring bearer and flower girl. At the rehearsal, Jonah was acting really shy and not wanting to walk down the aisle - and there were not any people sitting in the pews yet! Cora, however, dropped her flowers and walked down the aisle like a pro. After the rehearsal dinner, we got back to the cabin and attempted to put the kids to bed a decent hour. .....Two and half hours later, I think everyone was finally sleeping.

Wedding day! Saturday finally arrived, and the kids woke bright and early, even after such a late night. Babu took Jonah fishing in the morning, and Jonah reported they caught seven fish! Slowly, everyone left to take care of wedding day responsibilities (Brandon was also in the wedding - Best Man), until it was just me and the kids left. I got everyone ready and we left a little early so that we could drive around a bit and hopefully get a nap for Cora. It worked like a charm.  The kids ended up doing great at the wedding, and it was a beautiful ceremony. When it was the kids' turn, Jonah took off, but at the last minute, he turned and grabbed Cora's hand as the walked down the aisle. It was very sweet, but left Cora without a hand to drop flower pedals. So when they got to the front of the church, she climbed up the steps, sat down, and proceeded to toss all her flower pedals until the basket was empty :)

Kylie, the bride, surprised Caleb (and everyone) by singing him a song during the ceremony. She is a great singer, and it was beautiful!

The new "Mr. & Mrs." :)

In between the ceremony and reception, I drove the kids around a bit more so Cora could nap again. Jonah never did fall asleep. He doesn't often go without a nap, and it was showing by the end of the evening. At the reception, Cora spent some time with Daddy at the head table. Jonah was also at the head table quite a bit, but he was making new friends :)

She left her bow in all day - it's a miracle!

I'm pretty sure both of my kids' dinners consisted of a dinner roll and a large quantity of dinner mints. Parenting win! 

It was a very long, but very fun day of celebrating Caleb and Kylie. Welcome to the family, Kylie! 

Somehow, I don't think we managed to get an Alleman family picture with it's newest member :(

Sunday morning, we took off bright and early.  Saying good-bye to the cabin and Bibi and Babu.

We all drove as far as Grandma and Grandpa's. The kids and stopped for the night, but Brandon had to keep driving on to Wichita so that he could work Monday morning.  Once again, I think he arrived shortly before midnight. The kids and I had a pretty uneventful drive back to Wichita on Monday morning. Then we set about the task of decompressing from our travels - lots of laundry, lots of whining....then, eventually, lots of catching up on missed sleep (for the kids, at least). I think we are finally adjusting back to routines.  

......We leave again on Friday :)  Two more trips to go!!