Michigan has Great Lakes!

We made our third trip to Michigan in the last three years this summer!  This time, we went to the lower peninsula, but we got there via the upper peninsula again!

Brett decided not to go.  Camping isn't really his thing, and it seems like skipping it was an adult choice I should allow. After all, Bryan doesn't like camping either!  So they stayed home and worked and then took a quick trip up to Bryan's parents' over July 4th. 

It was hard to string together even a long weekend with all the work and practice schedules and we ended up driving through the night to get there.  We arrived at the park in the rain in the middle of the night and drove around aimlessly until the headlights finally spotlighted on the camper cabin that we would claim for four nights.  

We stayed at Onaway State Park and the cabin was right on the lake.  It had a large deck and fire pit area, and the cabin was divided into 3 very tiny spaces - a front room and two rooms just big enough to walk in and have a set of bunks.

We daytripped to PF Hoeft State Park. It had the most amazing beach! Then we traveled down the coast to a little beach town. We stopped at a gas station for bait and a fishing license and asked the cashier where to fish. He said, "Gottah boat?" and then laughed. We fished off a pier and caught nothing but sunrays.

We hung out at Onaway and enjoyed a smalltown fireworks display on the 3rd. On the 4th we headed west toward Petoskey State Park. Turns out all the wealthy folks of Lower Michigan migrate to that area of the state for long summer weekends, and we were turned away from a few state parks along the coast of Lake Michigan. We went north and discovered a more secluded area - Wilderness State Park.  By then, we were practically back to Mackinaw City, so we went there for dinner and more fireworks.

It was time to make the trec back home the following day. I'm so grateful the Reggie and Lydia enjoy these adventures with me. I know each roadtrip could be the last, so until then I will cherish each one!  

summer fun

June brought some fun events, starting with the Special Olympics USA Games hosted in the Twin Cities!  Brett didn't get to participate as an athlete, but we volunteered at two events- flag football and track.

On Juneteenth, we ate lobster and went to a community event in the Rondo neighborhood.  Reggie made the front page of the Pioneer Press!

Lydia was awarded a scholarship to Materials Camp at the U of M.  They presented their projects on the last day.  It turns out she has no interest in materials composition or analysis, but she learned how to get to the University on public transportation, so it wasn't a complete wash.

Reggie had football camps, including one to the U of M - Duluth.  He played legion baseball and took a job distributing flyers for a local contractor.  Lydia continued working for Woodbury Parks and Rec for the third summer!  She was even given a supervising position for peewee sports camps.  And Brett worked at Central Park. Success!

let's celebrate

Brett was so excited about the all-night party at the high school after the graduation ceremony.  I let him get an energy drink- and after about ten minutes - I started pouring a little down the drain every time he stepped out of the room.  He managed to stay up the whole night with half the caffeine in his system and have a great time.

The grad party was the following weekend.  We rented a shelter at a city park, and it was a lovely celebration. So many family and friends from school, sports, church, and our community came out to honor Brett's accomplishment!  We had most of the food catered by a former football teammate of Bryan's who owns a BBQ food truck business.  MeeMaw made the desserts, and Papa helped with all the last-minute tasks! Lydia painted some rocks to help with the wind.

Grandpa built this display with some help from Brett, and Grandma made the tableclothes.  Both will be used again soon!

My parents hosted an after-party cookout for family at their house.

 

It ended with watching some home videos!  I'm smiling just thinking about how everything came together with the help of those who love Brett!

Brett got a job as an event attendant at the city's public venue.  It's a large building that contains the library, an indoor playground, a gym, a small amphitheatre, an indoor garden, and various spaces to rent for meetings and events. He likes it, and it could lead to more opportunities through the city.  He is also attending a transitional school through our school district.  He continues to participate in Special Olympics and has initiated attending the young adults ministry at our church.  He remains a passionate fan of the Timberwolves - a love that he shares with his girlfriend. 😊Yes, we are actively progressing toward adulthood at his pace. I'm proud of him.

Congratulations, Graduate!

There was some drama over the graduation venue this year.  It was supposed to be held at an arena on the U of M's campus - as it was held the previous year. However, due to security concerns, the U of M canceled all high school graduation bookings without much time to pivot. The district was able to secure the Vikings' practice facility as the venue. What worked out in our favor was that each graduate could have up to 10 guests, but the disadvantage was that it was an outdoor facility, and there was rain in the forecast.  There wasn't a rainout plan.  It did rain - just enough to create a rainbow for a breathtaking backdrop!