Birthday Week Part III

Birthday week was great -- I was able to have a special dinner with my wonderful husband, get gifts in the mail from family that lives too far to hand deliver them, receive phone calls and emails that reminded me of how blessed I am to have such a wonderful family and group of friends. Thanks to those of you that played a part in birthday week!

I spent the last few days of my 28th year (sounds so depressing but it's really ok...hahaha) in Michigan! Nathan and I took Friday off work and spent the weekend with great friends who went above and beyond what we expected. We are so thankful for their hospitality and friendship! THANKS, UTHE FAMILY!

Day One -

Nathan and I left Louisville on Friday morning at 5:50 - yes, I got up at 5:00am! I haven't been up that early in a LONG time. He got up even earlier than me so that he could finalize our "journey." He is quite the navigator so he had mapped out a way that would best allow us to see the fall foliage. We took the back roads/highways most of the way there and it was gorgeous!

I was really excited! I love road trips!

We arrived in Michigan later that afternoon and made our first stop at a park that was surrounded by Lake Michigan. This was GORGEOUS!! We spent about an hour to an hour and a half taking pictures, rock collecting and just enjoying the scenery.

Nathan did something VERY sweet. He is going to hate that I am bragging on him and showing this off but I thought it was very thoughtful...and creative! There were lots of pretty rocks on the shore so we decided to make a rock collection - I had lots of decorative ideas running through my head. =) Nathan had a different idea with the rocks....PRECIOUS!

After spending time at the beach we had a picnic at the park. There wasn't much to it but it saved us money...there's nothing like peanut butter and jelly, peanuts, pringles and bottled water! =)

We left Lake Michigan and headed towards Hudsonville which is where the Uthes are from. Marisa was SO KIND in allowing us to stay at her house all weekend. We went to her house, hung out for a little while then headed to dinner at Logan's.

Brennan & Nathan

Me & Marisa

After dinner we went to the mall to shop for Michigan gear. Remember those tickets I got in the mail during birthday week? Well, they were being put to good use!

Nathan, that might be a little small!

Crazy Michigan fan...

GAME FACE!

Remember, this has all happened in ONE DAY...we left Friday morning, went to Lake Michigan, had dinner at Logan's and shopped for Michigan gear. What a long day!!! We ended Day One at Marisa's house -- games and BIRTHDAY DESSERT!!!!

I have never played a game with someone that laughed so much...how fun!

CATCH PHRASE! The girls beat the boys 3 out of 4 games! Oh yeah! Way to go, Marisa and Jill!

APPLES TO APPLES...we only lasted one round of this game because Chris was no fun to play with. Hahahaha kidding.

Then came BIRTHDAY DESSERT -- birthday sundae! So yummy!

Day Two -

The Michigan game was at noon. Brennan and his family were supposed to meet someone at the stadium to get their tickets at 10:00. So, we left Hudsonville at 7:00am to make our way to Ann Arbor for the big game.

Ready for the game

Our seats were separate from the rest of the crew but we had fun cheering on the Wolverines from our side of the stadium. Unfortunately, Michigan lost to Toledo by a score of 10-13. The Toledo fans were SO excited for their big win while Michigan fans were just reminded that they were having a not-so-good season. No worries, y'all! Being a Tennessee fan, I feel your pain!

The "Big House"

Us at the game

It's not the Marching "T" but they did good! =)

The Michigan Wolverines

The Toledo fans were so excited that their team was able to defeat Michigan 13-10. The team rushed to the Toledo fan section of the stadium.

After the game Nathan had to talk football with his friend, Mike.

So, I just sat on the sidewalk and waited for everyone else to get back to the car.

Brennan was not too thrilled with the outcome of the game.

We drove back to Hudsonville after the game. Nathan and I decided to spend the evening watching the Florida vs. LSU game. We ordered take out from Famous Dave's and enjoyed a quiet evening at home. It had been a very tiring two days!

Day Three -

We got up Sunday morning -- HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME! -- packed and went to church with Marisa and her parents.

Ready for church on our last day of vacation

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME...but so sad that we had to go back to Louisville

After church we went to lunch at Arnie's which is a cute little restaurant in Richmond, Michigan. Brennan had to head back to Louisville after the game on Saturday because of his commitments at church on Sunday. Lunch was SO quiet without Brennan there. It was kind of nice! hahahahahahahaha

After lunch we walked around the park in Richmond. It was so nice!

But all good things must come to an end, right?! We left Richmond and made our way back to Louisville. Unfortunately, it took A LOT longer getting home due to heavy traffic outside Grand Rapids. But, we made it home safely and I had a GREAT BIRTHDAY WEEKEND! =)

Thank you, Nathan, for taking the time to plan our trip. You did a great job! I love you!

Meg