We made it back from Michigan(most of us anyway). We went to visit Grandma and Grandpa Bozyk on Lake Charlevoix last week, and left Allison behind for the next three weeks to keep Gma and Gpa entertained. On the way there, we stopped by MSU to visit the children's garden, eat ice cream at the dairy and have lunch at El Azteca, besides stocking up on great MSU souvenirs.
In Charlevoix, we started the week off with a kayak/canoe ride down the East Jordan river. Tom and Scott ended up in the river in their canoe at the same spot Dan B went in last year. That water sure is cold! And our weather was not terribly warm either. Mostly it stayed around 74 degrees for the high. Monday we headed out to pick cherries and strawberries. Last year I made strawberry jam so this year it was strawberry pies. The kids braved the lake and went for a swim and Monday night we headed into Petoskey for a round of pirate putt putt golf. Tuesday we all (including Gma and Gpa) decided to drive to the Upper Peninsula to visit the Soo Locks in Sault St Marie . Not only did we visit, but we took a boat ride through the canal ourselves on a tour boat. It was quite amazing to see how quickly the canals filled and empty, and how we rose up above the canal, and then dropped about 30 feet alongside the cement walls. There is only about 2 1/2 ft clearance on each side of the canal walls for the big freighters to fit through, so they have to do a good job steering! Weds was a bit rainy so we had movie day-the kids caught Ice Age with Tom and since he already caught Harry Potter with Allison the week before, I went on to see it myself. All 2.5 hours of it! Thursday we decided to spend the day in Charlevoix for the kids activities to celebrate Venetian Festival. We had a picnic on Lake Michigan beach and watched the drawbridge go up and down as the big boats came through. Scott got brave and went swimming in Lk Michigan while Allison and I looked for Petoskey stones. Most of the crowd was busy in the park at the kids activities, but we opted not to pay the $8 for the rides since the lines were so long. Allison would have liked the elephant ride though but she probably would have spent the whole day standing in line! Instead we headed into town for a few carnival rides and games and set up our blanket at the band shell for the evenings concerts. We stopped into dinner at a local restaurant and then caught a few bands before heading home. We also took a tour of the new Charlevoix library which was absolutely beautiful. They rebuilt and remodeled an old school building with a bit of a nautical theme and old mission style. They even have a wonderful small garden and some great statues around the building. While we were busy in Charlevoix, Gma and Gpa were busy entertaining old school friends, Larry and Isabel Smith up for a day visit after dropping off their granddaughter to the Interlochen Music School near Traverse City for a few weeks of camp. We had a quick chance to chat before leaving. We kids used to spend alot of time visiting and playing with their kids since we were all about the same age. Hugh who is my age is remarried to another girl named Kathy for the second time and just adopted a little Korean girl. They all live in San Luis Obispo in CA. The Smiths oldest son is in Oregon and their youngest daughter, Claire is in Pennsylvania. Mrs Smith gave me a quick run down on their 50th Wedding Anniversary Party that they held last year. They renewed their vows in a small church in Franklin with 6 priests attending followed by a reception at a nearby Country Club. Mom and Dad Bozyk attended so I got to see photos of the event that the Smith kids had bound in an album. Mom and Dad also watched the video. They all had a terrific visit and enjoyed mom's spaghetti dinner. Friday we decided to try out Dad's fishing boat for a tour around the lake, however, the boat motor did not cooperate. Instead we packed up and went hiking in Boyne Mt, climbing 460 steps to the top and then following the ultimate frisbee golf trail all the way down. We then headed into Boyne to check out the street fair. Friday night we enjoyed fireworks over Lake Charlevoix from the deck of the house before getting rained out. When we weren't busy doing some type of activity, we were enjoying eating at all the local ice cream shops and stocking up on our favorite salt water taffy. Then we had to sample a Mich. blueberry/peach pie from the local Farmer's Market.
Tom spent much of his time at the house connecting the speaker system to the stereo. He hooked up 24 speakers all through the house(and there are still more to go!). He also attempted to hook up a front door bell, but couldn't figure out the complicated wiring system-too many programs running through the place including internet and cable wiring and a security system, possibly an intercom system. Next year he will have to study the wiring diagram! We also had a few leaks to deal with which the builder fixed-one under the kitchen sink and another that Tom found behind the fridge. He also attempted to repair the old dishwasher in the basement kitchen but it looks to be done in. Then there was the dock that needed to be put in and some furniture moved and the boat motor to be hauled out and put on the boat. Dad B managed to get it going on Saturday morning with a little starter fluid so we all got a ride. The kids were just a bit too cold and it was a bit too breezy on the lake though for a ride in the innertube.
We also enjoyed our entertainment choices which included watching movies on the big walls with our new projector, playing Wii video games on the big projector and watching movies on our old big TV which Dad took up in the Spring. And we introduced Gma and Gpa to the Apples to Apples game which led to many interesting conversations around the kitchen table. Mom and Dad enjoyed it so much, they even played with Larry and Isabel.
All in all we had a great week. I would have liked to have attended the Venetian night boat parade and fireworks on Saturday night, but we couldn't stay that long. I also wish it had been a bit warmer for more swimming, or that we could have gotten more fishing in than just casting off the dock. Tom even picked up a couple of BB guns to let Scott and Allison get in some shooting since the guns are illegal in Howard County. So are their sling shots I hear.
But Allison is staying there for all of us for the next 3 weeks and I am sure she will get in lots of swimming and fishing with Gpa. She is also scheduled to take a 4H sailing class on Lake Charlevoix next week along with a picnic at the end of the week. And there are plenty of Art Fairs and Antique Car shows and Flea Markets going on every weekend. Not to mention the Polish Festival in Boyne and some great programs for teens at the library. And if they get bored, they can always catch a concert in a local park in the evenings, or attend the nature programs at the State Park in Boyne. I am sure that Allison will not get bored.
And we can stay in touch even easier now with Mom and Dad B since Tom set up our old laptop computer so they have email access at the Lake. Unfortunately, their main computer was fried in WB, so Tom brought it home to see if he can rebuild it. But feel free to email-they will receive your messages up at the lake now.
So we are back home and Tom will head to Mich in 3 weeks to pick up Allison. Meanwhile, Tom is in Salt Lake City this week, Scott is at camp at Howard Community College and I am back to work.
Feel free to drop in on Allison and Gma and Gpa at the Lake Charlevoix house if you have time! Like the kids say, It just isn't summer until you visit the lake house!

(Oops-guess I did not send this one out-I keep waiting to catch Tom so he can put in some photos). It certainly was quiet around here with Allison gone to GS camp. Tom and I caught the Public Enemy movie with Johnny Depp Friday afternoon before Allison came home. Tom was disappointed that they didn't spend more time getting to let us know more about the characters. Allison arrived home on Friday evening very tired and dirty. But she had a wonderful time at Assateague. Her and her friend Jenna went crabbing and caught a crab, they caught creatures in a net in the bay, they went on a birding hike early in the morning through the dunes, swam in the ocean, played mini golf at Ocean City, but most of all they were just in awe of all the wild ponies roaming freely around their camp and the island. I was sure Allison would have loved to have packed a foal in her backpack and brought it home with her. So she definitely wants us to go back. Even the bugs weren't too bad she says but her legs look pretty eaten up by mosquitoes. She is busy recuperating this afternoon. Not only from a long week of communing with nature, but also from her camping sleepover birthday party that we had last night with 8 of her friends from school. Of course , noone actually slept. We set up a tent in the backyard for the girls, but since we had threats of Tstorms we decided to move them into the basement to "sleep". But the camping theme went off well-they went on an alphabet scavenger hunt through the neighborhood, looking for items that began with every letter of the alphabet. They are very creative(so are our neighbors apparently) and they all did very well, each earning their very own marshmallow roasting stick. Allison and I bought a big fire pit and Scott collected wood from our neighbor so we could have a bonfire in the driveway and roast marshmallows. After eating hot dogs and hamburgers, they each made s'mores(to go along with the s'more cupcakes that Allison made). We found a great recipe in the Woman's world magazine. The girls also played Grandpa Seitz's bean bag toss game and Allison won(naturally). And to keep the girls occupied, we bought a movie DVD player for outside. The girls all watched RV on a homemade screen that Tom set up in the backyard while munching on popcorn. It was a lot of fun(and surprisingly quiet). They actually put down their cell phones to watch the movie! We just had a brief interruption when I discovered the cat had gotten out of the house and a fox was stalking her in the front yard! I found her when we all heard the fox screeching. It sounds a little like someone is killing your kid. Pika was sitting outside our fence, safe and sound though, (much to Tom's dismay). She quickly returned to the house.
So after making all the girls pancakes and bacon, we sent them off so Allison and I could get a nap! Scott had his own sleepover at the neighbors house and they spent the next day playing. The boys can't get enough of each other. They only get to see each other in the evening since Scott is gone during the day at camp. He really enjoyed another week at the YMCA, this time taking extra swim lessons. He loved all the extra time in the pool, and then a carnival on Friday with sno cones(he was missing out from the 4th of July concert), bounce house, kettle corn and face painting. He'll be back this week with a science theme.
Allison will be heading to her intermediate field hockey camp in hopes of getting better prepared for the fall tryouts at Mt Hebron. I was up to her school this week talking to the counselors about her classes. They have the whole building tore up since they are remodeling. It should be done by the time Allison graduates. The school district fought for a whole new building, but the county decided to save some money and just remodel. What a mess. The high school was originally built as a jr high building and is over 40 yrs old. Over the years they just added on and it looks like a mish mash of building styles and dead end hallways. They still have chalk boards in the classrooms! But I hear so do the catholic high schools where most of Allison's classmates are going in the fall. Her new school is supposed to get an update, including the technology.
And as if the kids weren't busy enough, I dragged Scott and Allison off to a cub scout fishing tournament on Sat morning. We fished at a local lake in one of our parks. I have taken the kids there before to fish and we caught a whole bunch of sunfish, but that was in the fall. The fish just weren't biting that well(we needed Grandpa Seitz and Mark and Eric's fish guide I think!). But this was strictly shoreline fishing and I think most of the fish have moved off where the water is cooler. Anyhow, Scott still caught 4 small fish and Allison 2 and Scott's Troop took 5th out of 10th place for most amount of fish caught. For those that caught the biggest fish, they had very nice fish trophies and prizes. The grand prize was a half day fishing trip on the Chesapeake Bay! All for 5bucks registration. Not bad. Maybe next year I will have to get a fishing license. I was just too busy this time pulling fish off the line and baiting the kids hooks. Meanwhile, Scott discovered they also had a contest for most amount of trash collected at the lake at the end of the tournament, and he took home 2nd place! He won himself a very nice handyman tool set, and they gave him a second set for picking up the most cigarette butts! That is definitely a contest he enjoys since he usually loves swapping in trash at the Y camp for candy bars at the end of the week.
So now I am off to do laundry-Allison brought home a whole bunch! And I need to do laundry so I can pack for our trip to Michigan next week! We are looking forward to our visit to Charlevoix and the lake house. Allison will be staying there for the 3 weeks afterwards with Grandma and Grandpa Bozyk. She is looking forward to her 4H sailing lessons that she will be taking in August. Tom will then be picking her up since he has to travel to Uof M to teach a class.
Doesn't look like we will be having any family or friends visiting at that time however this year. Well if anyone changes their mind, you know where we will be!
Happy 14th Birthday Allison and Cousin Nicholas Bozyk!

Happy 4th of July! I just got back from Girl Scout camp, dropping off Allison and her friend Jenna. The two are spending the week on a travel camping trip to Assateague Island. The island is just off Virginia Beach near Chincoteague and Ocean City. Assateague is full of wild ponies(ever read Misty of Chincoteague?). The horses are said to have come from Spanish exlporers whose ships capsized with the horses on board. The horses swam to shore and have lived wild on Assateague island as well as up and down the North Carolina shore for hundreds of years. Each summer, the fire dept in Chincoteague swim the wild ponies and foals over to the mainland from the island to auction off the foals(hence the book Misty of Chincoteague). This helps to keep the population from becoming too overwhelming for the environment. And they can monitor the ponies that are left by tagging them. Our family has always talked about camping there on the island at the Nat. Park, so now Allison is going to have chance to scope it our for us. The GS counselors say they plan on taking the girls to the Park Ranger presentations -they will learn all about the marshland and the wildlife, including the ponies. They will even have a chance to go to Ocean City-the beach and boardwalk. The girls will be camping on the beach-a small group of only 6. I am sure they will have a terrific time. I'd like to go there sometime for a dune buggy tour and kayak tour. I just heard the bad thing is that there are lots of bugs, especially biting flies. I hope that the girls are spared.
Last week Allison had a lot of fun learning all about field hockey. Tom enjoyed buying all of her equipment I think. Allison told the instructor that she was interested in trying out for the high school team and they recommended that she continue with the intermediate class to learn more about strategy and game playing. So now Allison is scheduled to attend the intermediate class next week before we go on vacation. I am glad she is enjoying the new sport. She is still doing her karate and piano this summer too.
Scott and his Dad however have decided to take a break on karate. We are having a hard time getting Scott to his lessons-they only meet during the week and the ride is a bit far. The classes are earlier in the day and I cannot get off work to get him to his class-mainly Tom has been flexing his work hours to get him to the classes. And Scott would like to try gymnastic lessons next school year, so we told him we would give it a shot.
Last week he spent his day at the YMCA summer camp and loved it. The camp traveled to the National Zoo in DC which he enjoys, however, he was disappointed they did not get to see more of the animals. This week he will be at the Y again taking extra swim lessons. Scott's favorite time at Y camp is when they go exploring the pond back behind the Y. He loves to catch newts.
He also experienced his first cavity last week. I had to get the kids new dentists because noone at our clinic would fill cavities in kids under 18yrs old! That is just crazy. So I took both kids to a family dentist and it turns out Allison did not necessarily have a cavity, but Scott had two. Both of the cavities are in baby teeth but close to the root, so they decided to drill. Scott had his first experience with novacaine in his mouth and drilling-he thought the drilling tickled! I don't think many kids would laugh during a trip to the dentist! He is actually looking forward to having the second cavity filled! I was just glad to see that the dental hygienists were so nice. The dentist was OK. Not overly friendly. And they are dropping our insurance by the end of the year, so we will be right back in the same place we are now-looking for a new dentist! Or maybe a new dental insurance!
Cookie survived her cone and tshirt combination following spaying last week. I noticed however that she seemed a bit swollen at the surgery site so I asked if the vet could take a look at her. He agreed that she was swollen and said it looks like she is allergic to the sutures! How is it that a hypoallergenic dog has allergies?! Go figure. He took the stitches out right away since it had already been a week and she was healed enough. She certainly was happy to have the cone and tshirt taken off and to get back to running and rough housing with the kids. And I think she has been enjoying her new haircut(that only took 4 hours!). I don't spend that much time at the salon! And it must have taken me an hour last week to fill out all the paperwork on her now-county registration, rabies vaccination, lost pet ID for the microchip implant we got her while she was having surgery. (Why can't we have our kids microchipped in case we lose them?). Cookie was even happy to walk up to our local park on the 4th to visit with all the neighborhood kids and dogs dressed up for the neighborhood 4th of July bike parade.
We actually did most of our celebrating on Friday the 3rd when we went to see our Baltimore Symphony Orchestra concert and fireworks at a local outdoor music theatre. We have gone quite often in the past and they have a very nice fireworks show complete with music. And the guest conductor was a native Detroit boy. He mentioned that he loved the tv series Dallas as the orchestra played the theme song, and that it was a bit unusual for a Detroit boy to have an interest in cowboys. I can only imagine. We usually pack a picnic dinner when we go and often run into someone we know. This year we spotted my GS coleader and her kids and father in law. They had arrived very early and sat way up front so we could not squeeze in next to them. Instead the kids and I visited long enough to share their brownies before heading back to our spot on the lawn. We had to mooch off their dessert because Boston Market had sold out all their desserts with their dinner special. I usually pick up a Boston Market chicken dinner for our picnic during the concert. You can also bring in wine-our favorite part. So no Boston market dessert; I figured I would just buy a little something for the kids at the food booths at the concert. Half way through the concert, we stood in line for ice cream and sno cones. While we were in line, they ran out of ice cream, and before we got to the front of the line, they ran out of ice for the snow cones. Thank goodness there is a recession, or we'd all be fat from all the stuff we buy! Oh wait, we couldn't even buy our dessert! Or maybe it is a dessert conspiracy. Anyhow, the kids did not want kettle corn or cotton candy, hence the reason for mooching off my friend and her fine brownies. I think we got the better end of the deal.
We were also feeling very patriotic that week as I ran off to the BWI airport with my coleader and her daughter and Allison to finally pass out our 250 boxes of Girl Scout cookies that were donated to the servicemen and women returning home. We join an organization called Operation Welcome Home and they organize a welcoming committee for each flight arriving at the airport along with goodie bags-and sometimes GS cookies. My girls spent 2 hours during a meeting making thank you cards and we tied each card to a box with ribbon. Allison and Jeannette were there to lead us all in the pledge of allegiance before the troops got off the plane and made their way through our cheering group. Each soldier received a box from Allison and Jeannette, so if you contributed to our cause, thanks again. The soldiers really appreciate it-and there were a lot of women on this particular flight. Not to mention dogs and cats being brought from overseas! We were just sad that we only had 250 boxes of cookies to pass out since 300 soldiers got off the plane that night. Never fear, we will be busy selling again in September so keep us in mind.
Hope you are all having a great summer!