The Twins have Arrived

Elise and Randy had their twins on August 16. 

Estell Marie - 4 lbs 10 oz

Elaina Mea - 4 lbs 7 oz

 

 

I got to do "Aunt Duty" throughout the night and the girls were so excited to get to know me that they decided NOT to sleep throughout the night. 40 minutes of sleep isn't quite enough for me.

 

 

 The girls are tired out after our night of fun and have FINALLY decided to sleep.

Great timing, ladies....

Solitary Paradise

This week we went to South Manitou Island for a bit of rest and relaxation....

 

..... while backpacking! 

 

The miles of beaches were pristine and made us feel like we were in Hawaii again. The fact that we were the only people on this side of the island made it even more perfect.

We had to remind ourselves that we wouldn't find whales when we were gazing out over the water.

 

The water was crystal clear.

 

Our luxurious accomadations on our private beach!

 South Manitou Island Lighthouse

Once back into civilization, we enjoyed seeing more of Northern Michigan's Lighthouses.

 

Grand Traverse Lighthouse

 

 The whole time "up north" provided amazing weather with great sunsets to enjoy.

Old Mission Point Lighthouse

Girls Day Out

One of the fun things about being in Michigan is hanging out with the family. I was able to go shopping with my mom, Elise, Aunt Chris, and Jill in Saugatuck while Kurt was working. (I am pretty sure he would not have wanted to come anyways!)

In Our Own Back Yard

What is in our "backyard" seems to be changing quite a bit for us lately.  We haven't decided on a permanent place to call home for this assignment yet, well, because so many people have been so gracious to us.  We've been lucky enough to "house sit" for the Hulsts and the Reenders families.  

Alan and Elly Hulst even let us use their mopeds to see a bit more of the lake shore.

West Michigan has so many different lighthouses.  This is the one from the Grand Haven harbor.

The Muskegon lighthouses after Trish and I got caught on the mopeds in a downpour.

There's never a shortage of sunsets to see with one another.

These never get old.