Paul Bunyan

 
You might have thought that Paul Bunyan was just a story....but....I am here to tell you that 2 of them were in my backyard chopping down the dead Austrian pine. When I asked what killed it to the daughter who is a Natural Resource Environmental Scienc resource major and got a 100% in her dendrology class....her answer..."we don't live in Austria"..
my rsponse....really?

Take me for a ride

 
I have been gone so much lately that this is the only way this little guy seems to think he can see me. ...He LOVES the car but he is IMPOSSIBLE to drive with......

A Graduation Day

The Graduate
 
Graduation for our second son ....and the first son is home from Beijing for the week and the daughter is home from India.....all the children in Illinois at the same time.....that is very unusual!!!

 

You'd think you would get used to how tall the kids are when you see them with others...not so much! The poor little guy in the back was totally obscured by Eric....These were the recipients of the Bachelor Degree....there were 30 who received their associate degree.



 

They were given a rose to give to the person they felt helped them the most during their schooling.

I have never seen this boy smile so large....

 

 

Always nice to have a Cake!!



 

See who got the rose......:)

 

His diploma.....
The man who spoke at graduation kept it short and sweet....the theme was network network network.....we liked his talk ....if not only for the brevity but because of his theme.

Michigania family portrait 09

 

Getting 30 people ready for a family portrait is an heroic effort!

 

The final result!

Woodpeckers marks

 
While on a nature hike, we found this tree that had been used by a woodpecker. I was amazed at the design of the holes as they work to get the insects out of the dead tree.

The Unicorn

 
The family camp we attend in Petosky, Michigan caters to the 3 and 4 year olds and the 5 and 6 year olds. The 5 and 6 year olds sing a song that goes:
"fives and sixes are the best
the very best kids in camp.
And if you think you can mess with us
we'll show you that you can't, uh -huh!"
and they tell the kids about the unicorn. One of the horse staff, dresses up and rides the unicorn by the kids. It is amazing to see the faces of the kids.....

An organic garden

 
This is an organic garden in Petosky, Michigan. It is on an acre and they have volunteers come and pick the produce. It was pouring the rain the day we were here but it was a lovely place to visit......