Seeing friends in Michigan

We are sitting at Fredrick Meijer Gardens-

behind us is a beautiful church made of all natural nuts, bark, leaves and twigs etc... It was absolutely incredible. They had an entire area where a small hobby train traveled through above us and through wooded areas. The model homes, churches and building were so intricate. The buildings were replicas of Grand Rapid's businesses and homes. It was amazing! I wanted to sit down right there and start building one of my own.

Scott, Andrew and Daraby- We attended Fredrick Meijer Gardens with Scott, Alicia and Taylor. The gardens were all decked out with trees decorated with international themes. We had a wonderful time walking around seeing everything and catching up with Scott and Alicia. They've been a terrific mentoring couple for us. They got married 6 months before us and had Taylor more than a year before we had Dara. All the baby stuff is fresh in their minds so I ask them what is "normal." After the gardens we went out to Quiznos for lunch and then headed over to Scott's parents home to relax and chat. Alicia is a kid person and soon Daraby was sleeping on her shoulder. Thanks Scott and Alicia it was great to see you!

At the Gardens there are bundles of planted orchids everywhere. (Various colors and sizes.) They smell so good. They are such a delicate and beautiful flower. I absolutely love orchids. They are my favorite and in case you didn't know I have two of them that I have kept alive for years. One orchid I received from Andrew almost 6 years ago for Valentines Day. I've not only kept it alive but I've got it to bloom everyone year but one. It blooms from April-October. I don't know what the normal blooming period is but it brightens my day. This year it is going to bloom early because the blossoms are ready to open any day.

This is the train that traveled around the glass rooms. Our college is located right across the street from the Gardens. So when we were in college I would visit the Gardens several times a year. Back then we got a student discount and Andrew was a lab teacher so we would take the students in his labs there.

This is a statue of Mr Coyote at the Gardens. I have a huge irrational fear of coyotes. I hate when they howl and boy do they howl out here on a daily basis. In fact, they will walk up to the pasture in broad daylight. I'm always shooting at them but I'm such a terrible shot that I haven't killed one yet. One night while watching TV at 7 pm one coyote walked within petting distance of our big living room windows. I was feeding Dara and couldn't believe she was that gutsy to walk up to the house and pee in the yard. I think she was scouting to eat my cats.

Long time no see- just joking! Although we just had Aaron and Jessica out we always enjoy being with them. We have a ton of great laughs. We are going to miss them when they leave for Germany in just a few days. It is a total mental thing because we don't live near them now. It is just the reality that they will be across an ocean experiencing so many new things. That means we won't have any game competitors for an year. That is OK since I won't have to listen to all Aaron's smack talk about winning every card game against us girls. By the way, the boys always talk big but like I said it is mostly just talk. Besides playing games with Aaron and Jess while we were back in MI we did go out for a yummy lunch at The Real Food Cafe. I think it is the best place to eat in GR! It was great to see you-Aaron and Jess!