Hiking Hogsback Mountain - Marquette, Michigan.

A few weeks ago, while vacationing in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Brian and I headed to Marquette to do some hiking with my sister Michelle and her boyfriend Andrew.  Last summer, we hiked nearby Sugarloaf Mountain.  The views from the top were beautiful, and while the climb wasn't exactly a walk in the park, there were stairs to climb and wide paths to travel.

This year, when Andrew suggested hiking Hogsback Mountain, my sister was skeptical.  She suggested that Brian and Andrew hike the mountain while she and I hike something a little more manageable.  She's hiked it before and thought it was kinda brutal ... and she knows that she's in way better shape than I am!  The boys were insistent that we join them though, so I suggested that we give it a try.  The boys would go their pace, Michelle and I would go at my pace, and we'd see how close we could get to the top!

We took occasional breaks, and I took that time to snap some photos of the beautiful surroundings.  The way the light came through the trees was gorgeous.

The paths are sandy in some places, with lots of stones and tree roots scattered throughout.  It's funny to see Brian and Andrew just float across all of the obstacles, while I struggle not to trip on anything.  I'm definitely not as graceful at these things!

Of course, the sandy trails eventually gave way to pure rock.  While it was actually easier to climb up the rock than some of the sandy paths, all I kept thinking was ... how in the world am I going to get back down??

Then the rock became smoother and more vertical and my focus was back on the 'getting up' part.  Holy steep.  I am not a rock climber, but I managed!

It was a pretty cool feeling to make it to the top.  Brian jumped down to grab the camera so that he could take photos of me reaching the top.  To say that he was excited that I tried, and succeeded, was an understatement.  

The views from the top are a breathtaking mix of blues and greens for as far as the eye can see.  There were even some fall colors peeking through at the top of the mountain.

Brian had fun running around taking photos while we took a break before the trip back down the mountain.

I love how flippin' happy he is in this photo!

When it was time to climb back down the mountain, I did a lot of sitting and scooting like a toddler learning to navigate the stairs.  Ha!  But hey, I made it!

Do you see those people sitting on the top of the mountain?  Brian snapped this when we were just a small way down the mountain.  I think it's the last spot where you can actually see people before continuing the hike down.  

If you ever get the chance to hike Hogsback, I highly recommend it.  It was hard, but so worth it.

Brennan does Michigan.

Brennan has a slight obsession with Michigan.  Actually, it's a big obsession.  It's taken a long time for him to be able to understand why we can't go to Michigan whenever we want.  So when Grampy & Grammy offered to fly Brennan & I up for a long weekend, we jumped at the chance.  

Brennan was so.insanely.excited.  He loaded up his "pack-pack" with fun things for the plane and pulled his own little suitcase behind him through the airport.  The flight itself was bumpy, but Brennan entertained himself and wasn't really interested in me at all, so I was able to do a bit of reading.  I wish I could have captured his reaction when he saw my Mom get out of the car at the airport.  He took off running toward her squealing "GRAMMMMMYYY!" and didn't stop smiling the entire ride to my parents' house.

I left the next morning to see my friend and college roomie Heather and her newest addition.  Baby girl E was sweet as pie and the spitting image of her gorgeous mama.  It was nice to have a bit of time to myself that weekend.  I even took some time to visit my friend Steph for a much needed hair cut and color.

Brennan spent lots of time in Grammy's pool.  He's becoming quite the little fish ... only with the right floaties on though.

Mom, Teresa, and I took Brennan to Imagination Station in Toledo one day.  It's a hands-on science center for kiddos (and adults, really).  His favorite party by far was the little fireman area.  He drove the firetruck and put out fires and all kinds of fun things.  It was a blast watching him play.  Since then, he hasn't stopped telling Daddy & Brothers that they can go back with him someday.  

We also had a Monkey Party while in Michigan.  Not too long ago while we were on Skype, Brennan noticed my parents' house decorated with monkey decorations for some occasion.  Since then, he has been absolutely obsessed with having a Monkey Party of his own.  Only Brennan would get a party thrown for him - complete with decorations, cake, and presents - for no reason in particular.  He's so spoiled  intensely-loved.

Of course, the spoiling was not exclusive to the monkey party.  He got plenty of surprises and treats and paid dearly with lots of snuggles for everyone.

Luckily, our trip coincided with Great Grandma G's 101st birthday.  I was so happy that we were able to go and spend some time celebrating with Brian's side of the family.  That side of the fam is especially fun because there are 9 kids, 7 years old (I think) and younger ... including a set of triplet boys and my set of twin boys.  And only one girl.  It's lively and fun and all of us adults enjoy sipping adult beverages so that usually makes it even more fun.  Brennan had a blast running around with all of his cousins, playing with the car he got for Great Gram for her birthday, and even sipping his very own can of Mountain Dew.  Cuz I'm crazy.

Sunday was our last day in Michigan and we made the most of it.  Brennan splashed around in the pool for awhile and I relished having adults around so that I could take a break.  

My Uncle Joe worked his magic on the grill, as usual.  More than that though, he made these amazing cinnamon rolls for dessert.  I'm not exaggerating one little iota when I say that it made my tastebuds dance.  It was the best thing I have ever eaten.  Seriously.  I still dream about it.  

As we scooted out the door to the airport, Brennan gave everyone one last squeeze.  After kisses and hugs for Great Grama, Aunt Lynne, Uncle Joe, & TT, my parents drove us to the airport.  Once we got there, there were more squeezes and kisses and lots of sad faces.  

Brennan broke my heart in that airport.  Because his heart was broken.  He was so incredibly, genuinely sad to be leaving.  I promised that we'd go back to visit soon, and that we'd get to see Daddy and Brothers soon too.  But nothing seemed to cheer him up.  Poor sweet kiddo.  He loves him some Michigan and all the people who come along with it.  

I had to share these photos I snapped of my parents while I was there.  Both were just random, spur of the moment snapshots and I just love their smiles.  So natural and genuine.  I lucked out in the parent department, for sure.  And thanks to them, Brennan got a little fix of Michigan for a bit!

Michigan Trip {March 2013}.

**Warning**  Lot's of words ahead!  And pictures! **

There are few things as hectic as planning a 24+ hour road trip for our crew, not to mention packing for the 2+ week stay.  And when we're preparing for one of these trips, Brian is usually cramming in as much time at work as possible so that he can have himself prepared for a few days off.  This means that I do 90% of the prep work myself.

Which also means that we never leave for a road trip when we plan to leave.  EVER.

So it wasn't at all a surprise to either of us when we were still packing/cleaning/throwing kids in the car 3 hours after we meant to leave.  And since we planned to leave after dinner, we were dealing with tired kids.  And cranky spouses.  Because, you know, it's my fault because I didn't get everything done and it's his fault because he works too damn much.

So after a long night of driving, we arrived in Virginia to stay with Brian's sister Jen & bro-in-law Brian.  We met Jen and our friend Sala at the Museum of Natural History in DC.  The boys had a blast running around with Sala's daughter, and we were just happy to be out of the car.  That night we crashed at Jen & Brian's house.  I always forget how great of an artist my sister-in-law is until I see her paintings.  I love them.

If I could make out with inventor of diphenhydramine, I would. (I can't though. He's dead. I checked.)

Kiernan and I flew to Michigan on Wednesday and returned back home to FL today.  He caught a cold from his big brother before we left, but did surprisingly well for our entire visit.  Then of course on Thursday I started to feel sick.  Kiernan is pretty good on an airplane, but I knew from the way I was feeling that being in that pressurized tin can 35,000 feet in the air was not going to feel good.

So in an effort to keep the absolutely misery (both his, mine, and our fellow passengers') to a minimum, I decided to give him some Tylenol and Benadryl before we took off.  Honestly?  Best.Decision.Ever.