Owen eating pop rocks.

So I thought it would be hillarious to see the dogs reaction while eating pop rocks. Owen and Ziggy loved it. No special entertainment. Owen got it all over in his fur. So if you look closely you can see it.

our time with Finn

Finn is so cute. Michael and I have really enjoyed our Friday's with him. I love the picture of him covering his eyes when he is eating. Looks like he is getting ready to sleep. Our dogs are very curious but sweet with the baby. Finn is now trying to touch them. So cute.

Time with grandson Finn

My honey

My love, thank you for being my best friend. You have made my life richer.

Photographer Aidan

Aidan and Abby took some pics while I was away. I won't post the one of the floor or of Abby's flip flop. Hee hee.

other moments of fun

Some of the fun events we did, we went the 5th annual, Traverse City film festival. We saw Waterlife, which dealt with pollution of the Great Lakes. It was a great show. Got a little long at the end, but still well done. The 2 guys played some live entertainment while we waited for the film to start.

One of my favorite memories as a kid was eating Blue Moon or Superman ice cream. The kids had to have some. Aidan got so messy but he looked so cute.

The kids also went on a corrasol ride at the mall. We went and saw Harry Potter, because lack of other options. Our last day there we went to Frankfort were I grew up. Michael was sick this day. So it was just the kids and me. The kids went to a pottery class, that my cousin Corey teaches. They did a great job. We all got to see one of my Dad's passions, remote control airplanes. We got to see him fly one of them.

Unfortunately, we were not able to see all of the things I would have liked to we had a great time and have something to look forward on our next trip.

Smelt dinner

A northern Michigan tradition is a smelt dinner. They are just like eating popcorn. Melts right in your mouth. They are a small fish that remind of what a minow fish looks like. They deep fry him and enjoy. The kids liked them, Michael not so much. At the restaurant we went to the tradition is to kiss the mouse and they ring a huge bell for you. Abby, Aidan and I did it. Fun times

Elliana's 1st bday

Proud parents, Jeremy and Lynda, throw a nice party for their sweet baby girl, Elliana. She had her first bday party. She was busy looking at the balloons. She loved them.

My Grandparents made it. This is also my Grandmom's 80th bday. Way to go Grandmom. Also, in attendance was my Mom. Plus lots of other family.

A little detour

So I am cursed when I travel. Normally my luggage gets there a day late but this was a whole new experience. We had a lay over in Chicago and we got boarded on were setting on the plain. Well the flight attendant called, "Nielsen's party of
4." My thoughts are this cannot be good. She continued to tell us that they over booked the flight and since we were the last to check in we were getting bumped off of the flight. They gave us compensation, plus, breakfast and dinner plus our flight the next day. We thought this cannot be so bad. We had dinner at the hotel. The restaurant was Harry Carey's, I guess, he is a baseball comentator. The kids got their pictures in front of some jerseys.

Next morning we were off in hopes to Traverse City. Well we got on the plain in Chicago and the smoke detector went off and we had to head back to Chicago. Come on for real. When we get back to Chicago, I am getting a little worried because we are trying to make it to my neice Elliana's 1st bday party.

Well we get to Detroit, Michigan, we are so close at this point. The ticket agent explains that all flights into Traverse are sold out and we are not sure if we would even get into Traverse. We were on stand by all day. Gratefully, we made it that day and in time for the party. Though we were wearing yesterday's clothes and none of our own toiletries. It was worth it to be home.