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I was worried about the flight to Michigan with the twins. This would be their first time flying and we would be at the very beginning of cold and flu season. One of the twins doctors gave us a great tip of wiping down the seat area with antibacterial wipes. So we brought a a big stack of wipes and wiped off the arm rests, tray table and sides every time we got on a new plane (the first leg of our trip had one stop over, going home we had TWO stopovers). You should have seen some of the looks our fellow passengers were giving us, but hey germs can live up to 48 hours on a hard surface so why chance it? We did well on the way to Michigan because I opted to fly the red eye. I figured they could just sleep in our arms, which they did. Tadd and I got very little sleep ourselves. Tadd purchased Baby B’Airs for the twins so they could be strapped to us during the flight in case of turbulence. They worked well I guess, but when Derby was having a meltdown I couldn’t get him unstrapped to me fast enough so I could put him over my shoulder. That was a pain.

Let us do the fast rundown. Landed in Traverse City, Michigan and lo and behold who should be waiting for us? Mima T and Papa Don, I should have expected that. From here on out the twins were going to be ruthlessly spoiled. I told Jim (Tadd’s dad who also flew with us) that he probably wouldn’t be able to hold the twins while in Michigan. They were hot commodities those two. We got to the hotel, pointed out some big lake to the twins and then settled into getting the twins down for a nap so we could get some shut eye ourselves. It was pretty lax for the rest of the day. Saturday we went out to lunch and walked around for awhile . We went to this great kids store Bugs and Butterflys . We got a few new things that I have fallen in love with, I will also say the prices were better than in Santa Barbara. I got a new red sling from Sprout Pouch (since my other one that I got from our friend Michelle was too small now that the kids are bigger) a teething necklace that both of the twins are really into but you have to be ready for a boat load of drool down your chest and some new blankets that are the perfect weight for Santa Barbara. We got to meet our cousin Parker at last, but what is that? No pictures? Yea that sounds like us. (I’m sure someone has pictures but not us). After all that it was time to go back to the hotel for naps (of course) and to get ready for Dave and Lisa’s wedding.

In downtown Traverse City. Loen tried a high chair for the first time. Derbs was asleep in the sling.

It should be said that we have made it a habit of forgetting the camera as of late. Or should I say thought we forgot the camera. I was annoyed I wouldn’t be able to take any pictures only to find the camera the next day in the stroller under some diapers where I had stashed it for easy access. So the following wedding shots are courtesy of Grandpa Jim’s camera. Also at the wedding Tadd and I forgot the following: pacifiers, slings, extra diapers and wipes. Thank goodness we were staying at the hotel next door to the reception hall.

Self portrait of Grandpa Jim

Here we are the happy family (though I was cold because I forgot to bring a sweater. The kids are warm though). This was before the start of the wedding. Before Loen decided to loudly talk through all of it and I had to sneak down the center aisle to stand in the back.

Ahh, a picture of Loen showing how she can effectively make the most noise

The piper and Dave. Every wedding should have a piper. I tried to get the piper at our wedding to play “If You Want My Body” ala ‘So I Married an Axe Murderer‘. He said it couldn’t be done but I saw it in a movie dammit!

Lisa and Tadd’s cousin Dave

Ring bearer Reece and flower girl Hanna

Tadd’s Uncle Dave & Aunt Mary

Hey Derby, wake up before you miss all the fun. I’m not napping so why should you?!

I swear the kid had pants on for the majority of the wedding.

Tadd had a great time with his cousins Reece and Hanna. Here he is teaching them YMCA. Reece wants Tadd to move next door. Tadd is like the crazy Uncle that does all the dangerous circus tricks why others gasp in horror, but the kids love it

I love how Reece is having a great time.
(From L-R: Don, Tamie, Loen, Reece, Hanna, Derby, Jim & Tadd)

Reece and Hanna got some of the disposable cameras and were taking candid shots with Tadd’s encouragement. I would love to see how those pictures turn out!

Next day: Road trip!

We got to Michigan right before the big color change

At a winery by some lake..

Art shot of the grapes

Loen LOVED this swing ( and Derbs was asleep. Imagine that)

Loen and I at the LAKE FRONT. Tadd states Michigan has the most coast line of any state in the continental United States and great beaches. I say for it to be a beach it has to include an ocean not a lake. Ah our birth states clash (can you tell where we were born? Little hint I was born in: aliforniacay)

This was a special moment during our trip, the 45th parallel.

So that is about it. We flew home and had to change planes 3 TIMES. From Chicago to Denver the woman sitting next to Derby & I puked. I will say she was kind enough to turn her head from us and puke all over her husband. I felt bad for them and gave them a clean burp cloth and a stack of antibacterial wipes to try and get the majority of upchuck off of themselves. I had to turn my head from the sight of puke dripping off the phone in the middle headrest before I got sick myself. Then of course there was the incident where I almost gouged out my daughters eye on the way home. Point is were home and still recuperating. After I post this I might get around to emptying out our luggage…..