We saw a lot of this on our trip...especially when we got lost and accidentally took M-22 around Michigan's pinkie instead of staying on US-31. We were bewitched by the bay!
This picture, however, is from MSU campus. We were not lost at that time.

We both ended up giving each other cast iron dogs for our anniversary. Funny! Mine holds cards and RJ's is a nutcracker.

I spent part of last week in Michigan visiting family. I planned the trip so I could spend a few days at our cottage, hanging out with my dad, sister, and grandmother. My mom happened to be in MI at the same time, so my dad and I stopped at my aunt's house for a couple of hours to see mom, aunt, and grandparents. And then my brother happened to be in the area that weekend, so he drove up to the cottage to spend a few hours with us. Family!
Western Michigan is SO pretty. We spent a lot of time in Ludington and Pentwater, looking at Lake Michigan. No one ran into me on the sidewalks. I didn't see any litter in the street. No one talked about the Eagles game. But! You do spend a lot of time riding around in a car.
I had a nice time and I'm looking forward to going back next month, though it's only for a couple of days.

I love him. He's cast iron and has beady little eyes.

My dear friends Missy and Karl visited last week. We strolled around Philadelphia, took a day trip to New York for lunch, ice cream, and the Strand Bookshop, and just hung out and chatted. Missy has been my friend (BFF!) for 22 years! I could spend every day of my life with her and never grow tired of her...though I could do without those pregnant lady hiccup-burps. They are loud! haha
See how geeky happy I am in this photo?! That's how she makes me feel. Like that, or calm and relaxed and happy. She's my Pentwater, MI in human form.
Note Mickie's sassy look. This photo was taken shortly after I saved her from a drunken plumber who practically patted her on the head because, poor ignorant girl, she thinks Pearl Harbor is in Hawaii, when actually, poor thing, it is in Florida.
BONK.

RJ and I went to DC to meet my cousin's babies. We went down Friday afternoon to do some touristy stuff on our own (Museum of American Art, walking around to gawk, drinks at the National Press Club, etc). We met up with my cousin Meredith and her husband David and their twin girls, Evelyn and Sylvia, Saturday morning. We had some lunch and enjoyed some more tourist fun before heading to their place to make dinner. We had a wonderful time! It's nice to get out of town, but it is even nicer to see family and hold cute babies.

They ice down their babies in NJ!!