School Starts

Wow, school has started, with more than the normal challenges for some. The class of 2011 has a new state-wide requirement (seen on the shirts).
I have questions about the blanket formula set for all. What about those who are much more creative than mathematical? Our school seems to be the place to be; we have added 41 new students in the first 2 weeks. Classes are filled, more than we would like. But as a family grows bigger, you just can't tell some they have to live elsewhere.... or that we won't adopt them:)

Retirement for Some

So a whole bunch of friends got together and celebrated the first couple who are 'setting out' of the world of work. Dang, how lucky is that; to still be young and active, with the one you love, and have fun ALL DAY (and night!)
Good thing I love my job!

August Storms

We went sailing, and raced back to the dock just before the lightning started. The world is beautiful!

Land Yachting

I bid on a motor home last year at a fundraiser, so we and another couple went "Land Yachting". They usually take us on their boat, so we 'sailed' off on wheels. Wheels that were 30 feet long! Andy was the master at the wheel, and we really didn't kill or maim anything. We explored 3 campgrounds, each with it's own uniqueness (but all on Lake Michigan).

Orchard Beach, north of Manistee, was great, mixture of tents and RV's, clean restrooms, shade trees and a beautiful beach. We could bike into Manistee for icecream - round trip only 10 miles.

Nordhouse Dunes was the best, remote, primitive, with biking trails through the woods. We spent hours exploring on our bikes. I had never done any 'off roading' on my bike. We even went geocaching and discovered a hidden public beach. We never would have found itif it wasn't for tracking the geocache. This was Sheryll's first find:)

We ended at Mears State Park, a really RV packed spot; but again we could experience what it's all about. Again the beach was awesome. And the best - we could walk into Pentwater for dinner and live jazz!

Lisa Leaves, Brett's Birthday,Coast Guard Party

The sun is hot, and the activities never stop! Between beach and golf, a few other things happened.

Lisa stopped for a last visit, and we found the perfect carry on that Aniken could 'ride' from terminal to terminal.

Then I took the easy way to celebrate Brett's birthday; we took him and Jamie to breakfast in the CG Cutter Mackinaw.

Saturday we had a small party on the front lawn for parade watching.

Whew, it's fun during the CG Festival!

Kid's Day Parade

Andy and I organize the GH Coast Guard Kid's parade, and this year was another great experience!

Thanks to a great group of volunteers (some who wore costumes) the parade went on without any major hitches.

Over 1000 children lined the streets and everybody smiled!!