Back to Papa & Grandma's

Rounding out the tail-end of our Michigan trip, here are some photos of our day spent back at Gramma & Papa's before heading back to NC the next morning.

Ellison & Allie (my cousin, Shawn's 2 1/2 yr old)

While Allie was being sweet putting her arm around Ellison, Ellison decided to try to sneak in and steal Allie's sippy cup (Ell has the same one, so she kept wanting it). Interestingly, Ellison tried M & M's for the first time moments before and spit them out! Man, I wish that would happen when I would eat chocolate...

Me & Shawn with our two November 5th babies

Silly parenting photo op #637: first time having a sucker. There was no spitting out of anything this time.

Helping Gramma bake brownies

Enjoying the beautiful day in the yard, playing Polly Pockets with Aunt Carrie & Gramma while Uncle Jeff lounged.

Ellison totally dug playing Polly's.

This child has such intense focus when she's into something...

With Aunt Care

More awesome stuff to do with Gramma

Wow, our household should be interesting in about 10-15 years. Ellison's a pint-sized control freak, just like each of her parents (but more so her dad). I was trying to help her steer away from objects, like, oh, say the vehicles in the driveway. This child would push my hand of the steering wheel wanting to do it herself. You see me here holding on, but only for fear of my princess throwing me off.

I hope she's headed to the nearest carwash.

Ellison and her Great Uncle Phil. We missed Great Aunt Sheila getting in a photo.

The Final Leg of Mackinac Island

The rest of our Mackinac Island trip was spent eating good food and fudge, enjoying the downtown area, bike riding, playing golf, and playing cards. It all went by so quickly!

Playing around in G & G's bed one morning

The Pappenheimer clan with spouses & children

Of course Ellison's first ride on a bike seat couldn't go without being captured!

No, that's not a rag doll on the back of Jonathan's bike, it's our firstborn, fast asleep.

I guess thank goodness for harness seatbelts

Our bike-riding caravan

A (cold) view of the Mackinaw Bridge while we were riding around part of the island on our bikes

The 4 cousins taking a bath in Aunt Carrie & Uncle Jeff's giant jacuzzi bathtub while the adults played cards. (Minus Andrea & myself who were on kid-duty).

Wedding Dinner

After the ceremony and hors d' oeuvres, we all piled in a couple of horse-drawn carriages for a ride up to The Woods, the restaurant we were having dinner at. It was SOOO cold and rainy! But it was neat to see the gorgeous Victorian houses on the island, as well as views of the water. Ellison LOVED the horses! In fact, the next morning the FIRST thing out of Ellison's mouth when we got her out of bed was, "Horsey, horsey, horsey. On, on, on...", and we continued to hear this the rest of the time in Mackinac. She did awesome on the 40-minute-ish ride. She was snug as a bug, and with the clomping of the horses hooves, she soon fell fast asleep in my arms.

Ellison's first carriage ride; pictured with Gramma & Mama

Still as can be for the ride

The girls all took to artwork when we got to our table

First meal as husband & wife

After dinner, Papa was being silly for the kids (well, we think it was for the kids) by putting on Lucas' hat.

Tired little Ellison with Daddy after our outstanding meal. They're standing at Michigan's oldest bowling alley, which was at The Woods (it used to be a mansion).

You think someone's teething?

The whole clan before leaving The Woods.

Carrie & Jeff's Wedding

Congratulations, Auntie & Uncle Williams!!! Though not as they had quite planned, their wedding was beautiful. They were supposed to get married outside in a beautiful area that overlooks the water, but unfortunately, it wasn't to happen with 50-degree weather and rain! Nonetheless, their ceremony ended up overlooking the water, it just happened to be through windows. :) Carrie was a trooper - not nervous or anything before the ceremony. And she held herself together well - I think she was the only one with dry eyes throughout it all!

Lucas & Ellison awaiting the start of the ceremony

The Williams family with the handsome groom before the ceremony: Jeff, Heather, Lynn, & Dave

Getting walked to her groom by Papa

Jeff had the sweetest reaction when Carrie met him! It was so touching.

Christina (Matron of Honor), the minister, Carrie & Jeff, Josh (Best Man), Emma & Olivia (flower girls)

Ellison with her mommy & little buddies

Beautiful family: Uncle Josh, Aunt Andrea, Olivia, Emma, & Lucas

A rare family photo

Papa & Gramma with all of their grandkids (Elli obviously didn't want to be photographed)

The kids were happy to run around and play with bubbles while Carrie & Jeff were getting pics taken

Enjoying hors d'ouevres after the ceremony

I have to mention what a big month June has been for Jeff & Carrie: Jeff got hired at the prosecutor's office in Kalamazoo (which means Carrie now has more job opportunities since they can move), Carrie turned the big 3-0 on June 12, and they became husband & wife! We're so happy for you both!

Dinner with the Families

Jeff's parents were kind enough to treat us all to a wonderful dinner the evening before the wedding in honor of Jeff & Carrie. We enjoyed a delicious meal, and the kids had fun, too.

The happy little couple

Last evening of being single! And the last evening of Carrie getting a hand cramp writing out her last name!

The little mothers, Emma & Olivia, were so funny always trying to pick up Ellison and carry her. She thought it was funny most of the time. They were so sweet with her - trying to keep her entertained and doing fun stuff. She's definitely missing out on growing up with her cousins. :(

We had a good table right next to the balcony windows with a good ledge that served as Ellison's platform from time to time. Here she was orating the benefits of goldfish vs. Cheez-Its.

Aunt Carrie & little E

Another lift off, and another back strain for Emma

Livy's go at it

Lucas lent his harmonica to Ellison. When she figured out how to blow out hard enough to make noise, she was all rarin' to go and join (insert band-with-harmonica-player here).

The little bridie opening a bachellorette gift

Ellison then tried to take off with the loot and made a bee-line for the door. Yeah, like we wouldn't notice Little Half-Pint running off with a brightly colored bag almost as big as she. Honey, it'll go out of style before you get married since you aren't allowed to date until you're 30...