Day Book 5-21-11

2nd Best Thing That Happened This Week: The Grand Hotel/Mackinac Island/Winsome Women Retreat

Moonlight on Lake Michigan

A gnarled, ancient tree.

Heather and a turtle sculpture.

The Little Stone Church. I remember the first time I went to the Island. I was only seven but I wanted to go in the church, so we did. I thought it was so cute! And I still remembered it when I saw it.

Me: "Mom, it would be nice to get married here, wouldn't it? I could have the wedding in the Little Stone Church and have the reception in the Grand Hotel. That would be nice, wouldn't it?"
She just laughed. Oh! and told the others, and they laughed too.
Sigh.


My favorite room in the Hotel--Marley's Gallery.

Starbursts and painted paint brushes.


Awesome floor. They even had hardwood flooring on the ceiling.

This summer I want to learn how to paint with oils like this artist does.

My mom's plate of appetizers at the Grand Buffet Luncheon.

Here I am attempting the oyster....

Yuck!!!
:P

The Grand Pavilion where all the main meetings took place.

Out and about on the front porch. I was even doing ballet out there.

My third favorite house on the Island.

My second favorite house.

My favorite flag. :)

Mom in front of "my house."

At the extremely grand supper--Mom, Me, Heather, and Aunt Mary Ann. I felt like royalty with

my hair in the Kate Middleton style. ;) I loved how they pulled the chair out for you and

flipped the napkin onto your lap.

Our waiter for supper was Kirk.

The famous pecan ball floating in Mackinac Island fudge. Mmmmm.....

Me eating the famous pecan dish. (Well not the dish, but you know what I mean.)

Heather and I.

The matching matrons: Aunt Mary Ann and Mom

This was a room for parents to drop off their children. It was very cute. I wished that I was little again so I could play in there.

Grand Grounds

The Grand Hotel.

Mom and I took a walk after supper in the gardens.

On the red carpet. I wonder what my outfit rating would have been? Hmm...

These two pictures were taken in the bathroom. Isn't it amazing how a usually nasty place can be so pretty?

The Brighton Pavilion.

I want those pictures. :)

One of many sofas.

The Mackinac Bridge by night.

The setee. This one elderly lady came up to me and said, "I could never sit that low. If I did, I'd never get back up!"
Me: "Oh really?"
The joys of growing up.

All of the night time pictures were taken around ten/eleven p.m. It was really nice, because no one was around to disturb (or be disturbed by.) There were some employees around and it was a little embarrassing when my mom took a picture and the flash would go off. Then I'd get all embarrassed and say, "You better make sure that flash is off next time."
"Okay, I got it off. Ready?"
Flash.
"You've got to be kidding."

It was funny when we were out walking on the porch that night. We walked by the big window where the dining room was, and there were two guys setting up table settings in there. Now everyone (who has long hair) knows that the best thing about having your hair long is bouncing it around and having the wind stroke through it. Well I was doing that and throwing a couple of head shakes in and bouncing along, when I look up and see the two guys looking at me. It wasn't an "Oh wow check out that hair look" but... they were laughing at me! Haha I laughed too.... and stopped bouncing around.

I look pretty creepy here.

Outside our room. One of the best things about this hotel is that it's old. Which means that it's not sound proof. So as Mom and I are exploring, I casually stopped by some doors and just stood there. I wasn't being sneaky or anything. For some reason my mom made me stop. :( Party Pooper!

3rd Best Thing That Happened This Week: Thursday Piano Recital

Dad and Josh before the recital started.

The program.

I love playing on grand pianos! I can't wait till we can go pick up ours.

Hahahaha this picture always makes me laugh. Our personalities are shining through!

All of Mrs. Wichert's students. I knew who everyone was except for the girl in the purple. Mrs.

Wichert had everyone memorize their pieces this year, and EVERYBODY did a great job!

Even though this is a little blurry, I still like it. Laura and I are just laughing. I have no idea what was so funny. :)

Josh and I with our piano teacher, Mrs. Wichert.

Josh and Josh Carpenter.


4th Best Thing That Happened This Week: Riding Monet for the First Time

Here I am with Mrs. Day riding Monet for the first time today.

Dad, Monet, and I. (Isn't she gorgeous?!)

This little girl's name is Bailey--B-A-I-L-E-Y. I guess she spelled it out for my mom. She's about to give Monet some grass.

A close up of Monet's adorable face. :)


It won't let me write any more. All for now.

H.H.