Snow

This morning we woke up to this!

Fresh, fluffy, beautiful snow.
Goodbye fall, hello winter...

Reunion

Monday we had an "island girl reunion". It has been planned for a while now and I couldn't wait to see these girls again. We drove about an hour and a half south of Saginaw to Bloomfield Hills where Chelsea lives. Her husband started rotations there about 2 months ago and after seeing pictures of the adorable house and town in which they live, we just couldn't wait to check it out. Nothing makes me happier than a chatty, girls lunch and some shopping.

It was also great to finally meet these guys (Tuck and Finn). Of course baby Dara, Anna's little girl, was an adorable snow bunny and as smiley as can be.

Till next time ladies, whenever that may be.

Thanksgiving

I made my very first Thanksgiving dinner all on my own!

It was a lot of work, but I think it turned out great. We had very few leftovers (always a good sign). The turkey tasted moist and delicious. Aesthetically it wasn't as great...the skin tore while being turned (courtesy of Kyle) and it broke my heart to ruin my beautiful bird.

We also had mashed potatoes, apple and sausage stuffing, green bean casserole, Pillsbury croissant rolls (courtesy of Chef Luke), and pumpkin chocolate cheesecake pie (recipe here and highly recommended).

Kyle and Luke (as well as the 4 other students not pictured) gobbled it all up.

We finished of the weekend with a little bit of Black Friday shopping and watched the holiday classic Home Alone to get in the Christmas spirit.

Michigan: Game Day

My second weekend in Michigan, Kyle and I decided to take a little road trip of our own...

just the two of us.

First we rented a car. I couldn't help but laugh hysterically when I saw Kyle pull up in this thing. Not sure why, but I just think it's the goofiest looking car (no offense to anyone who sports this baby while driving around town).

We drove down to Ann Arbor and spent a day tootling around there, checking out the University of Michigan campus.

Sunday we went to Detroit to watch the 49er's/Lions game. This was my very first NFL game and I was excited that San Francisco was playing. Ever since Kyle was just a little guy he's been a die-hard 49er's fan. You could tell by his room, his clothes, and even his Christmas stocking. Not to mention, he can tell you every statistic about the team and its players. I was excited to share this moment with him at a 49er's game.

I was, however, a bit nervous considering we were extremely outnumbered by the Detroit fans, their stadium is very loud, and their fans can be brutal.

Everything turned out great. We won, we were only heckled by a few sore losers, and we made it out of Detroit alive! I would say the weekend was a success.

Michigan: Dinner Time

During my 2 week visit to Saginaw I had plans to not only cook for the guys while I was there, but make some meals to freeze that they could use over the next 4 weeks until I come back again.

I spent nearly 2 full days, shredding chicken, making green chili burros, pot pie, enchiladas, and pasta. I definitely sleep more peacefully knowing that frozen pizzas are no longer a staple in their weekly menu. I hope they're enjoying the home cooked meals each night I'm away.

Michigan: Ford Museum

When most people talk about the Ford Museum in Michigan, they are referring to the Henry Ford Museum just outside of Detroit. When it comes to Kyle, the only Ford Museum he wants to see is the one for President Gerald Ford. If you know Kyle, you are aware of his love of history, facts (both useful and useless), and just plain knowledge. In our travels he's always looked for presidential libraries and grave sights. It's sort of his thing.

While driving through Grand Rapids there was no way we were going to bypass the Gerald Ford Presidential Museum. So, here's Kyle outside of the museum chomping at the bit to go inside and explore the walls of information and artifacts.

On the grounds of the museum

Where President Ford and Betty Ford are buried

A view of Grand Rapids

Michigan: Reconnecting

Something I was really looking forward to when visiting Saginaw was catching up with island friends. Some of these girls I haven't seen for over a year. Some have added little members to their family and others are expecting.

We reminisced about our lives on the island, talked about what we love about living in the states, shared where we plan to go next, and thought about what the next year may hold.
When I return to Michigan in November I hope to visit with the ladies again and hopefully get to see a few more.

We have a unique bond that very few have. We just understand each other and I feel so fortunate to be able to spend time with them.

Michigan: Mud

I failed to mention one small detail about our road trip:

a mud run!

I have never heard or seen anything like this and I must say it doesn't seem appealing in any way and it might be the most redneck thing I've witnessed. Driving through deep puddles of mud, windows down, getting slapped in the face with glops of wet dirt, and getting stuck...I don't think so!

Michigan: Road Trip

Little known fact:

I have been to ALL 50 states.

My mom on the other hand had only been to 49 with Michigan being the state she was missing. That is until our recent trip to Saginaw. She tells Kyle she wanted to see him, but we all know her real incentive for going to Michigan, haha.

So, Congratulation Mom and welcome to the club!

The weekend she was there we decided to take a road trip and explore Michigan.

We, of course, saw plenty of beautiful fall leaves...

went walking through some parks in Bay City...

swung on the swings, like little kids, at the park...


had some local brews in Traverse City (as well as a few other places)...


felt the breeze off Lake Michigan while driving along the western coast...


and indulged in a little bit of Midwestern goodness, a Steak n' Shake burger and shake.

Michigan: Frankenmuth & Bronner's

About 20 minutes from Saginaw, where Kyle lives, is the tiny, picturesque, and slightly hokey, German town of Frankenmuth. In this town they love their cheese, sausages, beer, and schnitzel. It was a great place to meander through boutiques and of course check out more of that fall foliage I love so much.

Our visit to Frankenmuth wasn't complete until we stocked up on beer...all made in Michigan of course.

Set on the outskirts of Frankenmuth is the largest Christmas store in the world!

Who knew???

This place is so large it attracts tour buses from all over.

Welcome to Bronner's!

Need ornaments, tinsel, lights, or a $3000 hanging Santa?

This is the place for you!

Good thing I love Christmas and I come from a family who goes crazy on the lights and decorations. Otherwise, I might have thought this store was a bit much. Instead, I hummed to the Christmas music, scanned every ornament, and got butterflies just thinking about the holiday season quickly approaching.

Michigan: Seeing Fall

Ever since I landed in Michigan I haven't been able to get over the sights of fall. The colors of the leaves are picture perfect, but that's not the only thing I'm talking about.

It's also the pumpkins scattered about...

The brights mums in bloom...

Giant, juicy apples being sold in crates at roadside markets...

And anything you can imagine made from apples like apple butter, cider, apple donuts...
I don't know that I'll ever enjoy another apple as much as I did while I've been here.



I can also certainly see why when people move away to a place like Arizona they say that they miss the changing of the seasons. It's truly something spectacular. A hot AZ Halloween just isn't the same feeling.

Michigan: Bowling for Strikes in Saginaw

Our first night there, the guys decided to show us a good time and welcome Mom and me to Saginaw with a few games at the bowling alley down the street. These Midwesterners, if that's a term, take their bowling seriously. With their own bowling balls, shoes, wrist braces, and team shirts they really showed us up. We had a great time and it was fun to hang out with the guys from the island, Kevin, Pat, and Luke.

I think we need to work on our form...what do you think?

Michigan

These last 2 weeks I've been in Saginaw, Michigan enjoying the cool breeze, changing leaves, island friends, and of course some much needed time with Kyle.

My visit has come to an end and it's now time for me to return to AZ, get back to work, and get ready to make a move to the Midwest at the end of November. I have plenty of pictures and stories to share from my visit so keep your eyes open for those in the days to come.