Da U.P. (part 2)

Aloha.

Last night I took Ava, Angel and Gage to the church near our house to ride bicycles around. So Ava on her tricycle tried to keep up with the bigger kids on their 2-wheelers (Gage has training wheels). I encouraged her, as she said "We're doing racing daddy." I told her she was doing a great job of racing. The next time she she came around, Ava said to me "You let me know when I'm doing fantastic daddy!"

It's times like that I love my life.

Now, back to our St. Ignace/Tahq Falls trip.

Ava decided to instigate a sit down protest to the deforestation of vital rain forests abroad.


Or, she was having a fit. Look at that face!


So it was daddy to the rescue.
"Get that camera out of my face!"
"Please."


I thought this was a cool sign.


Here we are at the lower falls.


Peeking over Ava's shoulder as she learns about waterfalls and minerals.


"Yes daddy, I know you're back there with the camera."


I love capturing Ava as she witnesses the world around her.
We wanted to get her on one of these rowboats, and out to an island at the lower falls. Ava wanted nothing to do with it. So we tried to coax her slowly. This was as far as we got. She sat/stood in the boat and played with the oars on the boat landing. Maybe next time.


Another nature shot. This time, the upper falls.


Still more to come. We'll talk soon.

Cheers.
-Ava's Daddy

Life is Good

Aloha.

So we're back to "normal" at home. The Waterfront Film Festival is over, and I'm home once again. And we're busier than ever. Kristi, Angel and Gage are headed our way, and Ava's super excited. Becky and I are, too, but Ava's positively giddy. And when she's giddy, we laugh.

I thought I'd share something, then get to the photos. This is Ava's bedtime prayer.

Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
I love go with me through the night
And wake me in the morning light.
Amen

Notice it's "I love" ... instead of "Thy love." It's really quite cute. And she says it all by herself. I'll try to help her, she'll giggle and put her hand over my mouth and say "I can do it on my own Daddy." Then she asks me to say "amen" with her. I love bedtime with Ava.

On with the show!

We took a trip to St. Ignace for a day. Becky taught a class for the Michigan Design Team on make up. It was wild. I'll share the make up later. But the gist here is: Ava and I went, so we made it a free vacation. While there, we checked out Tahquamenon Falls. And yes, Ava can say that.

Arrival at the hotel. Ava made fast friends with the staff. They loved her.


What a beautiful scene. As always, the picture doesn't do it justice.


Enough scenery, here's the real beauty!


Just look at those ladies.


I'm no Ansel Adams, but...


"Psst, Ava. Look."


"Daddy!"


"I'll show you! Gimme that camera!"


That was just the first hour. Wait till we hit the trail!

Cheers!

Random Update

Aloha.

I'm "remote blogging" today. I'm the office manager for the Waterfront Film Festival office. I'm in Saugatuck. A great day for it, too! So with a few minutes, I thought I'd pop a few pics up for you.

Check out the curls.








Our little reader. From wake-up time to bed time, we love stories!


So there you go for now. We'll talk soon.

Cheers.