A Day Out With Thomas

I thought Davey was a boy who was crazy about Thomas the Train, until Charlie was introduced to Thomas. Charlie is really, really crazy about Thomas and his friends. He rarely talks or seems to think about anything else, even in his sleep (as I learned sleeping in the room with him on our recent vacation).

When I checked the Thomas website for dates and locations of the Day Out With Tomas I was very excited that we would be able to take the boys while we were in Michigan. I knew they would love it and I was right.

On a Saturday while we were up at the cottage, we headed down to the Huckleberry Railroad in Flint to see Thomas. My parents met us there and spent the day with us as well.

There were so many fun activities for the kids - a hay-maze to wind through, Thomas bounce houses, video viewing and story time, and of course train tables and trains to play with...

Charlie was in his element

Luckily we had some of our own trains along as there were not enough to go around for all of the train-loving kids.

Charlie couldn't miss playing with any of the tracks even though he could barely reach this table

Anticipating the ride on Thomas!

Both kids were mesmerized watching Thomas pulling us...

A good view of the beloved engine.

Davey and I enjoying the ride

Sir Topham Hatt made a special appearance...

Davey was excited to greet him though Charlie was a little less sure

Us and the big man

Posing with the engine

For sale were these huge, way overpriced, Thomas-shaped helium balloons that my mother really wanted to buy for the boys. I thought it was a waste of money and thought it would be better spent on a train they could play with for a long time. But I kept my mouth shut and saw that Grandma knew best... the boys loved the balloons and wouldn't let us throw them away when we left the U.S. We had to carefully deflate them bring them back to Bahrain with us! They still insist on us blowing them up every once in a while so they can play with them. I never would have guessed :)

It was a really fun day for all of us and it was nice to get to sneak in another day with my parents. And Thomas, we'll probably see you again next year!

Mackinac Island

This summer we decided to take an overnight vacation to Mackinac Island. I had never spent the night there and was excited to spend more time on the island. It is so beautiful. Most of it is a state park and its historic homes have been beautifully preserved and restored. It is home to the only state highway in the US that doesn't allow cars.

We stayed at the Murray Hotel, where Dave's family stayed for years when they used to go up and stay with their extended family. In fact, it is the place where I first met the aunts and uncles and cousins on his Mom's side.



We had a wonderful time. It is such a beautiful and relaxing place.

You have to take a boat to get there; no bridges

Dave's parents joined us for the day the first day and we enjoyed a lovely bide ride along the 8 mile perimeter road.

Our family :)

Charlie slipped in a nap

Davey and Dave stopped to build a cairn

Davey is sporting his self-named "skunk smile"

We found a great spot for lunch on the water

Dave and his mom

A natrual rock arch along the ride

After Dave's parents left we enjoyed a nice dinner as a family and played around on the grass at the park before heading to the hotel for an early sleep.

The next morning we headed to the Mackinac Fort...

It had to be one of the cushiest posts in the US when it was in use. So beautiful and quite quiet as far as battles go.

The volunteer "soldiers" getting ready for firing a salute.

Cute soldiers, huh?

The kids loved the cannon-firing deomonstration

A glimpse of the beautiful view of the fort.

Another view.

And another. Just so pretty.

The MI Governor's summer residence.

The kids also enjoyed a playground at the island school, ice cream and the island's famous fudge. I did too! Mmmmm....

We had fun throwing pebbles at the beach

Sweet, loving Davey

Headed home... see you next year!

We'll definitely stay again next year since we have a free night at the hotel thanks to them not getting our luggage to the ship on time. An inconvenience worth the trouble in my book!

Darling, exhausted Charlie fell asleep on the boat ride home.

Please ignore how silly I look!

Up North!

The day after everyone left to go home from the Paulson family reunion (boo hoo hoo), we headed Up North to see Dave's family, which was Davey's actual birthday. The drive was beautiful (we stopped at a beautiful rest stop and had some fun running around and enjoying the scenery) and we were excited to see Grandma and Grandpa Adams. Davey was greeted with a table-ful of presents, balloons and a cake - round 3 already of celebrating and it was only just now his birthday! (Pics to come.)

The boys loved the lake and got to know Dallas the dog again. The weather was beautiful most of the time and I just couldn't get enough of the fresh air and green scenery. There are so many pictures in this post because all of our days were spent just relaxing and enjoying the vacation and family together time, which makes for a lot of picture taking.

The boys' days were never complete without a boat ride of one kind or another. Of course Davey liked the speed boat best.

Driving with Daddy

On the first weekend we were there, Katie and Carrie came for a visit. It was so nice to see them and the boys had a blast being entertained by their aunts. And of course there was a fourth 4th birthday celebration for Davey when they arrived. It's no wonder that Davey still is so proud to tell everyone he meets how he is four now - saying it like it's the most wonderful news and they will be amazed and excited. We celebrated it so much he thinks it was the biggest deal ever.

Trying to capture Aunt Kiki and Aunt Kate jumping around like dolphins to entertain the boys.

Giving Dallas a drink with Aunt Kate

There were lots of fun wagon rides with Grandma.

Enjoying a beautiful day for boating

Charlie and Grandma - Davey and Grandpa

Beautiful blue sky and water

A little unsure about driving, but they'll be pros soon!

Cute brothers

We also enjoyed the kayaks and paddle boats

Enjoying some good skiing...

Dave

Lovin' the hair!

Katie

I skied too but didn't look quite so graceful... no picture needed.

We enjoyed so many beautiful sunsets

The boys still can't get enough of this huge airplane Grandma and Grandpa bought on a day trip to Harbor Springs

The second weekend we were Up North, my parents and Ben stopped by on their way back from a family wedding in the U.P.. We really enjoyed seeing them again for an afternoon.

Charlie and Uncle Ben

Ben loved driving the boat as you can imagine a 16-year-old boy would

My parents

Charlie was freaking out until Davey finally put his glasses on him...

A good look for him, huh?

A nice pic of my mom

And a one of Dave's dad (minus my face!)

Dave's mom and me