Relay for Life

Our area has a "Event" every year at our county fair grounds for Relay for Life. This is when people join "teams" and team members sign up to walk continuously for 24 hours. Usually we are on vacation the weekend that this occurs, but since this year we moved our vacation a week before, I went ahead and signed up Nat & I to walk for a few hours (on and off).
The weather was in the 90's and humid. I think it was 85 by 10 a.m. So Natalie and I began to walk around and a man from the Red Cross was saying "donate blood at the fair office building!" I have never donated blood before and I was thinking this was something I could tick off my list of things to do before I get old and die.
So, I was going to do it while I still had the nerve....
I was doing very well, until Natalie started to describe every detail in the process of it all. OMG, Mom the blood is so dark. Mom, the tube thing is filling up.....
When I was finally done, I sat up and thought, wow that wasn't so bad. Until I got to the snack table. Let's just say I had to lay back down 2 more times before they would release me to go. UGH!
I hope my experience has taught Natalie about how important donating blood can be to save a life and that events like Relay for Life Event can make a difference in finding cures for cancer......

Ford Lake Vacation

We are back from our week summer vacation from Ford Lake. We go every summer to Fountain, MI and rent a cabin on the lake. This year, Anthony borrowed a bass fishing boat from a buddy and he fished about 90% of the time. I even enjoyed the boat as I layed out in the sunshine while Anthony fished away.
Our lazy days were mostly spent on the lake, as we had unusually nice weather. One day we made a trip "into town." Natalie and I walked on the river front in Manistee Michigan. Its a cute little town, it reminds me very much like St. Joe.

It was a great week, and I'm glad to be home. It's time to start planning for next year!

Class Trip

For Natalie's class trip this year, we drove 2 hours to Fair Oaks Dairy Farm, in Fair Oaks, IN. Mrs. Williams drove, and I and Mrs. Virsik rode along. The girls were really good on the road and seemed to keep themselves entertained.
Once we arrived, our group was checked in and we watched a 3D/4D movie about dairy farms and what they fed the cows and such. There were special surprises in this film, but I won't say to spoil the surprise. Next, we went on a bus tour to the barns where the cows were kept for milking. This farm has over 30,000 cows. These cows are spread over 10 individual farms that make up the Fair Oaks dairy. The cows stay inside the barns and are milked 3 times everyday.

Here we go round the merry go round

We were told that the cows enjoy riding on the merry go round. I guess it breaks up the day?

Yes, there was quite an odor in the air, Mrs. Virsik thought

After the tour, we had some lunch and they served there own brand of milk. It was the best milk I have EVER tasted. It was very creamy. Would love to buy some more.
After lunch the kids were set free in the play area. They had a trampoline, a train, a wall climber (Nat's favorite). It was a really great day. I was so surprised I had a great time.

Smile for the Camera....Way to go Mr. Steffens class! It's been a great year.

School's Out, An Official 4th Grader

School is officially done, and my baby is a 4th grader. How time flies, I remember her starting kindergarten.
To celebrate the last day of school, her brownie group decided to celebrate in style. School was dismissed at 11:30, and off to Chuck E. Cheese we went. The closet restaurant is in South Bend, IN, which is about a 40 minute ride. After we all arrived, we made our food order and the girls started to play! Then when all the tokens were gone, they were given their last badges and then it was off to Build a Bear!

Each girl got to choose their own "friend" and do all the "stuffing" that goes along with the process. Then they got to choose either a brownie sash or a brownie vest to go with their friend. It was a really good time, but a long afternoon.


Natalie called her friend, Scruffie. Its a tan/brown dog. Scruffie will be there to hear all her secrets this summer, and get her ready to start the 4th grade. I can't believe it!!! Let the summer begin.....