The ever dreading flight with a 2 year old came and went pretty quickly. The morning of the 27th when Aron, Kenadie and myself were boarding our first leg of our flight to Michigan, Kenadie walked around the airport telling the whole world she where she was going . It was pretty darn cute as she pulled her little Dora the Explorer suitcase through the terminal "Byee everyone, I'm going to Michigan!" Now... the real torture was about to start. The flight took off and the ears were ok, check! Then it was trying to keep her occupied through the flight so that we didn't get any glares from other passengers, mission accomplished! She did well. Ok, so 1 hour in and it was about nap time...ha, right! No, she didn't nap until the wheels touched the ground...in Chicago! This happened on the flight from Chi to Detroit as well... little stinker!
When we arrived in Detroit we hopped into Uncle Chris's truck with Nana and Grandpa and met up with the cousins: Addie, Elyse, Evie for dinner. Of course Uncle Chris and Auntie Neener were there too, but let's be real, the girls were too much fun for Kenadie to even handle. She loved them!
The first few days we were there, we spent a ton of time in the pool, going down the water slide and eating popsicles. What a summer! Kenadie was surrounded by so many friends and family that she was in heaven. She then got a bit ahead of herself thinking she was a big kid... but she's still little. Running in the same crowd as 6 years when you're not even 2 yet can have it's disadvantages... so we got a few boo boo's from jumping and running like a pro. But never was a boo boo going to keep little Miss Kenadie down. She kept on trucking through. Now as for Aron and I... we felt bad that she was getting hurt, but she didn't think anything of it. So we moved on to more fun...
Addie and Kenadie
Daddy tossing Kenadie in the pool
Uncle Aron tossing Addie in the pool
Mackinaw or BUST!! Now, on this road trip, I don't know who talked more? Gary or Kenadie? It's a tight race but I think Kenadie may have beat him out. She got a kick out of someone being able to keep up with her chatter. Good thing Nana was there to keep both of them under control in the back. I played dumb and worked the radio. Gary will stop talking and start singing to good old classics like Bob Seger or Elton John...Mission Accomplished.
Mackinaw or BUST!! Now, on this road trip, I don't know who talked more? Gary or Kenadie? It's a tight race but I think Kenadie may have beat him out. She got a kick out of someone being able to keep up with her chatter. Good thing Nana was there to keep both of them under control in the back. I played dumb and worked the radio. Gary will stop talking and start singing to good old classics like Bob Seger or Elton John...Mission Accomplished.
Tiring out Kenadie and Grandpa for the long drive
Mackinaw was beautiful, but cold. We took a ferry over to the island with Auntie Cami, Uncle Chris, Auntie Neener, Nana, Grandpa and the gang. When we got there, we rented the Bishop Semi of bicycles. It was Tandem bike with a baby trailer for Kenadie. We needed to get flashers for that thing it was so long. As we rode around the island each member of the family had their strengths and weaknesses. Auntie Cami was a sprinter, Uncle Chris and Grandpa were marathon riders, where the ASK Train (Aron, Sharus, Kenadie) definitely needed to stop. Or maybe it was the fact that I didn't have to pedal, so I made Aron do most of it...he was tired ;) But I have to say, the winner was Addie! She was a super star! I couldn't believe that she biked the whole island without whining or crying about being tired. She was a champion.
Elyse and Kenadie on the ferry to Mackinaw
Addie the Mackinaw Island Champion!
Kenadie riding along with Mickey Mouse
Evelyn and Elyse taking a tour of Mackinaw
After the bikes we walked around downtown and enjoyed fresh fudge, which was MMmm Mmm good. And of course a few bloody marys with the fam. It was a nice little day. One of my favorites of the day was the cute little butterfly house. Did anyone else know that butterflies eat banana's? Ok, I didn't and thought it was very cool! I always get nervous inside of the butterfly room. I can just hear it now..."CRUUNNCHH!" "Oh crap, that was the Monarch butterfly wasn't it?" Trust me, it crosses my mind about 50 times while we were in there. But all of the butterflies are so pretty and colorful.
Kenadie trying to abduct a butterfly from the banana's
The Fam at the butterfly house
You know it's bad when they dress alike and have matching butterfly stickers
Once it was time to leave we made everyone freeze while sitting on the outside of the ferry. Good old Californians...we'll drive with the top down at any sign of sun! The next day we were walking around down town with Nana and Grandpa and Daddy decided to buy Kenadie a new Mackinaw sweatshirt. She came running out of the store to show everyone her pockets and SMACK!! Busted opened her lip which sent us on a new tour of Mackinaw called "Where is the hospital!?" But don't worry everyone. After about 15 minutes of crying, Kenadie swore that she was ok and was ready to play again. We drove over the bridge only to find the smallest hospital in the world, but I've got to say, had the nicest people! She was sent home with 0 stitches and a prescription for popsicles. Now that's my kind of hospital! This little monkey looked rough, but acted like a champ. If anything we learned a lot this trip. The Bishop girls are no softies. They are tough, cute and lovable!
Just taking her medicine for her lip
On the way home, we stopped by Tawas to visit Great Grandma and Grandpa Hamilton. What a treat! They had a HUGE Christmas Tree in their backyard and a very spunky dog named Tike. Who knew their house would be so fun? The best part was the big swing in the back where Kenadie convinced everyone to hop on with her. It was a short visit, but it was fun!
Great Grandma and Grandpa Hamilton's Christmas Tree
Kenadie and Grandpa on the swing (burning energy for the ride home) There's a theme here ;)
More sucker's take to the swing b/c she said please!
Great Grandma and Grandpa Hamilton enjoying Little Miss Trouble
The last few days we were there, we hung out with Johnnie and Mary and their kids, Uncle Justin and Auntie Jen and Syd, Uncle Josh, Aunt Annie and Baby Ava, Cousin Jake, Gage, Tate and Liam and Gibbs. Because Kenadie was spoiled with ice cream and popsicles the whole vacation, she was treated to one last night of pleasure before reality struck. So Uncle Justin, Aunt Jen, Nana, Daddy and I all hopped in the car and headed over to Cooks Dairy Farm for all natural ice cream. It was delicious! We even saw big ol Bessy outside brewin' up a new batch of cream. Kenadie was petting the baby cows and Daddy was getting eaten by them. But that wasn't before Kenadie devoured an ice cream cone which didn't just get in her belly...it was ALL OVER! In her mind, it was worth being sticky all the way home!
Dirty little mongrels
Auntie Jen and Kenadie at Cooks Farm
Uncle Justin and Kenadie petting baby cows (this one later will like Aron)
Mmmm Utterly Delicious Ice Cream!
See... I told you. The calf is licking him!
Precious baby Ava!
10 days went by way too fast...but like they say, time flies when you are having fun! On the flight home I can report that Kenadie slept for almost 3 hours while laying on me. My bladder almost exploded, but we survived! We'll miss you all! :)
