Middle of the West--and we survived!

B and I just got back from a 10 day trip to the Midwest including Chicago, Wisconsin, and Michigan. B was actually there for two weeks as she helped her parents pack up their home of 30 years to move to Florida on July 3rd. After tough times in the real estate market in Michigan, they finally sold their house on the lake which was a bit difficult to see go. It was a great set up and a beautiful location. But Florida it is for retirement and whatever adventures come their way. Miss B was most certainly saddened letting her childhood home go.

The family farm was just as it ever was seeing as not much changes there from year to year. This was the year however that I finally gathered all my things from childhood that I wanted to keep and take with me. It was hilarious looking at year books, pictures, letter jacket, trophies, bridesmaid dresses and shoes, you name it! Eventually some of it got packed up in a trunk which was brought back from Africa from the whole Peace Corps experience and is now on it's was to our home. My room had remained the same since I left for college so I guess it was time to let this all go. And rightfully so.

We did spend time at a 4th of July celebration which has been going on for at least 80 years and we went every year when I was a kid. My parents have been going since they can remember and their parents before that. See the link to the pictures. Very funny I must say! Saw a lot of people I hadn't in many years, always good to reconnect. The most frightening but appropriate float in the parade was the one for the local taxidermy shop. Check that one out, yikes! Oh, and we spent an afternoon wine tasting in my home town. Their tasting selections list was two pages long! Nothing like Wisconsin to go for quantity.

Miss B and I eventually make it over to Michigan where we spent time with her brother and his family. Those kids wore us out! Lots of kickball, running games, basketball, all sports all the time. One day we took them to a go-kart track which also had a climbing wall and trampolines. They LOVED it making us of course the best aunts in the world! Haven't gotten those pictures posted yet but I will.

Every time we go to the Midwest it reminds me of where I came from and why I ended up here. Not anything bad, just points out the obvious in that we all have our own path and take it as life unfolds. Family is family and they are wonderful. And we all have grown to appreciate our differences, respectfully so. Thank goodness.