Go Ape Treetop Adventure!

This year, I had to go back to school earlier than ever before...August 6th! (Kiera doesn't start until August 22nd.) To mark the end of our summer vacation time together, Kiera and I went on an adventure. We did a high ropes course in the metro parks. We had fun but it was hard (well, hard for me anyway!) We treated ourselves to a smoothie at Robeks afterward. 

 We made it!

Concert Time!

Nostalgia hit hard when I heard that Hootie and The Blowfish and The Bare Naked Ladies were coming to Blossom! They were two of my favorite bands growing up...and they still are! Emily and I went to a BNL concert together about 20 years ago, so of course I wanted to do it again! We also brought Mimi, Kiera and Baby Shapiro (in Em's belly!) along. This was Kiera's second concert (Taylor Swift was her first). We got lawn seats, brought snacks, sang along and had a great time! 

Fishing at Aunt Sally's Farm

We took our annual trip to Aunt Sally's farm today! Kiera's friend, R

came with us. The forecast called for a beautiful morning and then

 afternoon showers. The fish were biting non-stop; as soon as the girls

put their poles in the water they got one...Grandpa and I couldn't unhook

them fast enough! Grandpa always gives a little prize for first fish and

biggest fish. R got the first and Kiera got the biggest. 

Silly girls kissing their fish

  

 Three cheers for a great day fishing!

 Eleven year old driving school 

 As we were swimming in the pool, the storm clouds came rolling

in...thankfully it didn't thunder or lightening so we stayed in the 

pool during the storm!

 'Merica!

Bridge of Dreams

Last weekend, Kiera had a volleyball tournament in Columbus. We stayed in a hotel Friday night and Saturday after the tournament, we headed to the farm. On our drive to the farm, we stopped at the "Bridge of Dreams" an old railroad bridge that was converted into a covered bridge.  I asked Kiera her dream, and she said "To find another turtle."

Sunflowers

For the second year in a row, the Sunflower garden honoring Maria and the "Prayers from Maria Foundation" was planted along route 90 in Avon. The crazy spring rain wiped out the first planing of the seeds, but that didn't stop the lovely tribute garden; dwarf sunflowers were planted to ensure late summer blooms. While we are saddened by the loss of Maria, we are reminded that life is precious and we should cherish each day. In true Kette fashion, we cherished the day by stopping for chips and dip on our way home so we could have our favorite snack and play games together. 

Sand Dune Climb

 We had a little bit of time to explore "Pure Michigan" on Saturday morning 

before the wedding. We went to climb the sand dunes. 

Our crew (Mimi and Paul stayed behind)

 Enjoying the view from the first platform.

Sadly, we didn't have enough time to climb all the way to the top.

 

KJK 

 EMB

 DEB

 TJK

 DPK

 REK