Mackinac Island

Ryan and I helped drive some of the youth group kids up to camp in MI this past week and were free to vacation while they were at camp.  So we jumped on the chance to go to Mackinac Island.  I was afraid I'd built it up too much in my mind, but I was not disappointed!

"Mighty Mac"...headed to the U.P. 

Ferrying over to the island...loved the old lighthouse!

Our hotel from the ferry

I was in love before we even pulled ashore!

Our view from the front porch rockers.

The Island House
We loved where we stayed: great view and just a short walk from
the busy downtown area of shops and restaurants.

There were some pretty impressive private homes on the
island and TONS of very impressive flowers.

One of my favorite things was the sounds of horses hooves on the pavement.

The Fort

The Grand Hotel
We had to wait to take a tour in the morning, as we were not dressed for the 6:00
evening dress code when we first rode by.  Ryan forgot his suit coat, and I my dress.

Another cool hotel and restaurant.  We decided we might as well
celebrate our anniversary a little early with dinner here.  Well worth it!

One of the big things to do on the island is to tour the
8 mile coast by bike or carriage.  We chose bikes.

Beautiful!

Pit stop on Huron

There's just something about no cars!

We went up to the highest point on the island and got a great view.
For those who are familiar with the North Shore of Lake Superior
it was very Pincushion-like...a picture just can't quite capture it all.

A trail straight from the highest point to the fort
...smart British army!

Relaxing on the lawn by the fire with an awesome view.
What a way to end a day!

Thanks to mom and dad and the kids for keeping Jack so we could 1. survive the 12 hour drive, and 2. enjoy some time just the two of us!

Animals

It was Ryan's idea to take Jack to the zoo on the 4th...nice work Ryan!

Monkey cave

"Smile at the camera Jack"...yeah right...not with a giraffe that close!

The Sea Lions were a hit

Checking out the monkeys with Alisa

We said no animal pictures, but I couldn't resist these colors

Little Joey

Jack's other recent animal experience was/is with "his" new kitten, (it's really for the mice :)).  I don't necessarily care for cats, but I care much less for mice.  We're hoping she keeps the field mouse population away from the house.  Here's Jack and his new buddy...

The cat remains unnamed, though Jack calls her "Ditty"

He wanted the kitten to eat right out of his hand

It comes right up to Jack...brave little cat!

And this has nothing to do w/ animals, but I think it's adorable...Jack wanted to sit up at the table with Alisa while she worked.

Jack

Jack likes to have Ryan show him pictures of himself and family on his computer and the other day I heard Ryan say, "We have to scroll a long way to find pictures of you".  I later saw that they were looking at the blog to find pictures.  So apparently Jack has been ousted by gardens and parties.  So here you go, Jack...it's ALL about you again! :P

Watching "movies" with Alisa

Sweet Corn season!

Peanut Butter!

Lessons from the Garden: Year 1

I could not be happier to finally have my own garden.  Things are growing nicely and the deer have only gotten a few sweet corn plants thus far, (knock on wood).  However, I am just now beginning to realize the extent to which I do not know what I'm doing!  So here begins my series of "Lessons from the Garden".  This is mostly for me, so I can look back and be reminded of what to/not to do next year. However, if you happen to read this and know something about gardening (including "deer-X"...I know...just build a fence!), please feel free to send suggestions.  Thank-you.

I am sensing a need to expand for next year!

1.  Vines need space...LOTS of space...MUCH more space than I gave them!

Notice the onions and basil plants being taken over by the squash.

Cantaloupe on the prowl...look out carrots!!

2.  I think ONE zucchini plant would be sufficient.

I was shocked to find so many and such large zucchini yesterday...
they were little green hotdogs just a few days ago!

3.  Compost DOES help plants grow...let's shoot for gettin' it in the garden next year.

Potato plants on the right, and I believe that's more zucchini (oh great!) on the left...

4. Sweet corn is NOT worth it in a small garden.  Especially when your dad and uncle grow about an acre of it every year.

5. Start your broccoli from plants.  If I had a picture of Grandma's plants vs. mine, the reasoning would be quite clear!

6. I just read that vine cucumbers apparently do best when trellised--this would have been helpful in keeping the cucumber vines from being eaten alive by the the pumpkins & gourds.

Hopefully we'll get more of these little guys before they're swallowed up alive!

I expect some more good growing days over the next week with this heat; which will probably mean more lessons learned.  So until next time...

Guys' Weekend

Jay, Mitch, Joel, & Luke spent the weekend w/ us...baseball, boating, swimming, movies, etc.  Oh, and some food! :)  We really enjoyed having them...now it's time to start planning the girls' weekend.

"A Man's Meal"...(no plates, no forks, just hands)...
...in contrast to the recent "Outdoor Dinner Party" :)
(Don't worry...this is just the first of the meat to come off the grill.)

Hangin' w/ the guys

I tried to avoid too much photography b/c I figured that wouldn't be "cool".  I also made sure not to sound too much like a mom and am sworn to "What happens at the Helmkamp's stays at the Helmkamp's"...just kidding mom! :)

Welcome to Iowa Alisa & Linda!

Alisa is moving back to Iowa (yeah!) and her friend Linda drove out with her for her first trip to Iowa so I threw them an outdoor dinner party.  The outdoor part was almost thwarted by some much needed rain, which ended up holding off until we'd thoroughly enjoyed the party and brought everything back inside.  We were all thankful that the rain held off...and just as thankful that if finally did come!  Here are a few pictures from our evening...

"Pick-your-own appetizer"

Beverages

Salad Bar

"The Dinning Room"

Mason jar lanters...I love jars

Sisters

...and friends

Thanks for coming!

Such good friends!

Sparklers lit in the lanterns :)

And here's some proof that it just plain wouldn't have been the same inside.  I was set up to have it indoors based on the weather forecast and about an hour before the girls pulled in I check the forecast again, just to make sure...and sure enough, no thunder storms until later!  So in a hurried hour, the party was moved back outdoors.  Yeah!

The toy room as it was intended to be used

A little different feel with drywall as the back drop

"It needs to be at least THREE TIMES this big!"

Every once-in-awhile, lately Jack will try to ride one of his small toys.  One morning I came around the corner  just in time to see him squat over a small car, trap it between his knees, and then "knee walk" across the room with it.  His perception of size is apparently underdeveloped at this point!

Loading himself on the flatbed...oversized load??

Whoops...missed.

Putting the tailgate up.