Hey all! I apologize for my lack of posting... Since returning to Germany, I've been rather distracted with all of the things happening between here and home, and I've been seriously slacking in the blogging department... My apologies! But, my goal is to get back to blogging on a more regular basis, starting today... And, believe me, I've already got about 5 blog posts lined up for all you... So, no worries dear readers, I'm back to the blogging world.. Yay! :)
Let's start out with my recent trip back to the U.S.... I had so much fun! I loved being able to spend lots of time with my family and hang out with good friends... Things that I've really missed since living over here. So, rather than bore you with all of the details of my trip, here's some pictures I snapped during my two wonderful weeks at home... Enjoy!! :) (Oh, and let me be the first to apologize... The quality of the pictures I take are definitely not as good as the pictures Brian takes... I tend to simply point and shoot, while Brian lines up the pictures perfectly before snapping away... :) And, in addition to that, I was learning how to use the new camera Brian bought for me... For those of you that know me, you know how well I do when it comes to trying to teach myself how to use new gadgets! :) Needless to say, I still don't really know how to operate the camera all that well... I simply just snap away! :))
My first day back in the U.S. was spent shopping in Traverse City... of course!! We all know how much I love shopping, and how little shopping I actually do over here... So, I attempted to make up for lost time while I was home! :) And, in doing so, my sweet little nephew wanted to participate and "try on" outfits too... Too cute! :)
Kaden in the Troutarama Kiddie Parade... Isn't he just the cutest little recycling bin you've ever seen?! :)
And, after many years, I finally won the title of "Miss Lake County"... It was like a dream come true! :) Just kidding... I was actually helping my sister, who was in charge of organizing the pageant... :)
The Super Volunteers!! :)
The Moore siblings, with our Troutarama volunteer t-shirts, taking a break in the beer tent... Fun times! :)
Jason and Kaden in the Grand Parade on Saturday... Kaden was loving the fact that he got to ride in the parade!!
Watching the parade...
And afterwards, we stopped at the infamous Jones' for some delicious homemade ice cream... YUM!! :)
Stacy, Nicole, and I watching the Scottville Clown Band... :)
Mom, Dad, and I at Troutarama... :)
Nicole and I...
We've been friends for as long as I can remember! :)
Ludington Beach...
I love this place!! This is definitely what I consider "pure Michigan"! :)
He's such a little model!! :)
Mom and Dad on Ludington Pier...
Me and my buddy on Ludington Pier... :)
Chillin' at the beach... Brings back so many wonderful memories or our summers at the beach!! :)
I spent some time at my grandma's house learning how to make peanut butter fudge (YUM!!) and wandering through her many flower gardens (so pretty!)... :)
And a trip home wouldn't be complete without a visit with Kory!! :) And, fortunately for me, I got to meet her newest addition, Griffin, for the first time!! He's such a little cutie!! :)
Dinner with Steph and Kory (and Lucy and Griffin, too! :))...
We decided that times have definitely changed since our days of being single and living in Lansing! :)
Griffin's such a happy little guy! :)
I was also able to hang out with my friend, Sherry, and her daughter, Norah, while I was home! Isn't she adorable?! :)
Sherry and I...
She's a wonderful friend and the best hairstylist anyone could ask for! :)
Kory and I...
One of our "infamous" self-portraits! :)
I was so happy to be able to visit with Brandon while I was home... Can you believe that I used to nanny for him 10 years ago?! Time sure does fly!! And, the craziest part of my visit with him, was when he took me to see my old dorm room at Michigan State (he actually works in the dorms during the summer...)!! :) In this picture, we're standing in the dorm room I lived in when I was a sophomore at Michigan State (that was 14 years ago... yikes!)!! How crazy is that?! :)
While I was home, I was able to watch my brother play softball... Go Jason! :)
My little German soccer player! :)
These were all of the goodies I brought back from Germany for Kaden... A Deutschland soccer jersey, a Germany visor, a Germany soccer ball, and everybody's favorite (or not!)... a German vuvuzela (which makes ALOT of noise)! :)
Me and my favorite little buddy! :)
Spending time with my sis! :)
The Moore siblings... :)
This picture makes me laugh... My family was on a mission to beat the rain (one of the few rainy days we had) and head to Silver Lake sand dunes while I was home... Well, needless to say, the rain won... So, we decided to head to Grand Haven to check out the Coast Guard Festival, only to find when we arrived that it hadn't officially opened... Ooops! :) So, we then decided to head to Grand Rapids for some retail therapy! In the meantime, my sister, Kaden, and I were packed into the back seat like sardines! :) So, we decided to capture the moment on film! :)
After our day of shopping in Grand Rapids, we headed out to Beltline Bar (one of our all-time favorite Mexican restaurants!!) for a fabulous family dinner... Yum!! :)
And, afterwards, my brother and I headed home seperately... We decided to make a few extra stops along the way... This is us at the end of the night at Na-Tah-Ka, one of our favorite places! :)
A trip home wouldn't be complete without a trip to the ballpark... yay!! This reminds me of a true American summer!! And, it's something I've really been missing since living in Germany! :)
Kaden was ready for a foul ball! :)
Stacy and I at the Whitecaps game... :)
Mom and I watching the game! :)
And, during the entire time I was home, I couldn't get enough of the American flag... It's one of the things I really miss about home! :)
Mom, Dad, and Kaden enjoying the game! :)
Stacy and Kaden... Too cute! :)
Kaden and I... And, yes, I had to bribe the kid with ice cream in order for him to take a picture with me at this point in time... He's a tough bargainer! :)
After the game, Kaden was able to run the bases... Look at how focused he is! :)
Too cute! :)
A day at the ballpark! :)
I spent some time paddelboating with my Aunt Karen, around the lake that they live on... How fun! :)
And, afterwards, we enjoyed a fabulous Mexican fiesta she made for us!! So yummy!! :)
My last night in the U.S. was spent hanging out with my family... And playing the German version of Old Maid while drinking some Middle Sister wine... I couldn't have asked for a more perfect end to my vacation! I love quality time with my family! :)
Stacy and her Middle Sister wine! :)
The German equivalent to Old Maid! :)
I had two excellent helpers as I prepared to head back to Germany! :) And, needless to say, it was so hard to say goodbye! :( But, I look forward to seeing everyone again in December!! :)
