Mountain Top Cherry Cupcake!

I finally had a chance to go through my photos from Colorado!  When I was looking at them, I thought of one time when the girls where little and playing with,  I don't know, Tinker toys or something and Maria said in her sweet little voice, "Mountain Top Cherry Cupcake" and that became one of those phrases that you repeat through the years to remember how wonderful it all really is.  That is all.

Lunch on Eddy Street

After we drove through the Notre Dame campus, we found a very nice area to have lunch with Ed.  We ate at Chipotle, which is like his favorite restaurant, Qdoba.  Wouldn't you know, we were on Eddy Street and the area is known as Eddy St. Commons!  We had a nice lunch and finally got to hear more about Europe - his job, church in Koblenz, the Tour De France, the Olympics and the Eiffel Tower to name a few of his highlights.  Great photo-opp!

Notre Dame

John & I made a quick trip to Notre Dame this weekend since Edward had rushed down for orientation Thursday. He had not even had a chance to decompress after coming home from Germany Wednesday night after midnight.  We brought him his clothes and a dresser and other things and got him a bed for the house he's living in with friends.  We took a quick ride around campus and took a few photos in the midday sun!  

Ed in front of their huge football stadium.  How can you not go to a football game there?  It's such a huge thing.


Ed in front of the library with the giant mural known as Touchdown Jesus because you can see it from the stadium.


We stopped by their huge bookstore for some spirit.


And got a bed...


And showed some spirit in front of the house where Ed is living!

Flash Back Friday

Little Backpacker, 1997

Love Thursday

Maria at Yesterdog's, August, 2012

Here Comes the Sun!

Adios, Maria!

Nothing like a few Yesterdogs to say good-bye!

  

Maria packed all of the things she'll be needing in Peru for the next 4 months in a big suitcase that weighed in at 48 lbs., a carry-on, and a backpack.  She stood for a couple of pix and another with her friend and traveling partner, Mary.... and they were off. She is going with a group of 20 from Calvin College and they will be studying at the Universidad Catolica San Pablo in Arequipa, Peru and living with host families.

Ready for Peru!

This past weekend, we have been getting Maria ready to leave for Peru Monday morning.  It involved a lunch at Yesterdog's and Ice Cream at Housman's in between the shopping and packing and these outings have been thus duly instagrammed!

Flash Back Friday

Edward in Germany, June 2012

Not that long ago but I am just thankful he has had a good summer there,  I just helped him solve a minor banking crisis via the interwebs.  He will be home this Wednesday!

Love Thursday: Sizzling Kansas City

John speaking at the Sizzler

John had to talk at the conference he went to in KC and they took some pretty nice pix of him.

Tigers!!!!!!!!

John & I went to see the Detroit Tigers this past Sunday.  They beat the Cleveland Indians in the most stunning come-from-behind victory this season.  It was the bottom of the 10th inning and there were 2 outs and they were down by 3.  People had started to leave in droves BUT WE STAYED!!!  It ended when Miguel Cabrera hit a 2 run walk off home run and the Tigers won.

My friend Cathy went with us because her friend Tina's son was the Honorary Tiger for the game.  I stood behind the Tiger dugout right before the game started to take pix.  That was an amazing experience, too.  Here are a couple:









Such a fun day, we were still cheering at the end...

Circle Tree

Jeanette, Allison, Julia with Circle Tree paintings (instagram)
This past weekend, I went to Brush Studio with a couple of friends and we were walked through the steps of making a painting.  Such fun!!!

The Nellies

Colorado, July 2012

The girls were happy to be together for a few days when we were out in Colorado a week ago.  Love this pic!  Maria will be coming home this week on Wednesday for a few days before she leaves for Peru.

Flash Back Friday 263

September 2010, Bridget & I on the Kelleys Island Ferry