The Catch "U.P". Edition

I've made a mid-year's resolution: to blog more...at least once a week! I know I know, you've heard it all before, but I really do enjoy updating the blog, and sharing Paige's progress. And what progress she's made!

We'll start waaay back on June 14-16, when Paige and I (Nicki) went with Aunt Susie and Grandma Buning to the U.P. to visit our dear friend Mary Ellen, in Houghton! That's right, 10-hour road trip with baby! We drove straight through Sunday, made great time, and met up with Mary Ellen. Then she took us up to Copper Harbor, where we drove to the top of Brockway Mountain, then ate lunch in Eagle Harbor, and finally went to a most "heavenly" bakery...Jampot, a shop run by monks who live right up there on Lake Superior! If you're ever anywhere near it, it's worth the stop! The weather couldn't have been better, and having Paige and Mary Ellen meet was wonderful. We're already looking forward to the next meeting! On the way back, we caught Pictured Rocks, Horseshoe Falls (bit of tourist trap, but fun), some cool antique shops in Blaney Park, and of course, Mighty Mack and fudge! Yep, the she-trolls had a grand time in God's Country. Paige even cut her first two teeth during the trip, and was a great sport the whole time!


Matt's first Father's Day was a great day for all three of us, as Matt had been gone for the previous week on a mission trip with church to Red Bird, Kentucky! After church that morning, we checked out the Fulton Street Artist's Market (the Farmer's Market is all artists on Sundays...check it out!), had a delicious brunch at The Landing, and a nice family nap!

On to Independence Day! We celebrated Paige's 1st 4th at Sandy Pines, where Paige loved riding around on the golf cart (even fell asleep a few times!) and rounded out the day at the Whitecaps baseball game. The local ALS Association had a big turnout of families to recognize people living with ALS as well as those who had passed on. Grandpa Johnson's picture was up on the Jumbotron, too. It was really special to remember him in that way. And, of course, the game ended with fireworks! Paige didn't seem to mind them; I covered her ears, and she sort of stared and pointed, and clapped her hands a few times.

Paige also declared her own independence by starting to crawl on July 2nd! She's already walking along furniture and trying to stand up mid-crawl! We've finally had to baby-proof, and find new things to move/hide every day!

Well, that's the paraphrased edition of June/July. If I just stick to my resolution, it won't happen again!