Reagans at Emerald Lake

What an exciting week.

Picked up Brenda from Grand Rapids airport last Wednesday. On our way to Emerald Lake with her we visited Gerald Ford Presidential Museum in GR. Great display. Many important historical events in his partial term that I had forgotten--fall of Saigon, WIN for Whip Inflation Now, and the SS Mayaguez capture. In addition to the museum his burial spot is outside the museum as is a garden dedicated to Betty Ford.

James, Amy, Spencer and Garrett arrive in the middle of the night after driving out of a severe thunderstorm in northern Indiana. Unbeknownst to us the pump was not working to bring water into the house until they arrived, but the following morning Kelvin fixed the problem, a broken pressure switch.

Off to the circus in Evart. Cotton candy, elephants, jugglers, trapeze, trained dogs and horses, etc. The sounds and smells are distinctive. And as soon as it ended, workers were tearing down the bleachers and tent for their trip to the next stop.

Angie hosted a cookout and bonfire for the family--three generations laughing, telling stories, playing on Kamber's wood play structure, eating, laughing, roasting marshmallows and making s'mores.

Geocached around Evart, Reed City, and Big Rapids. Found some and had a couple stumpers. Still cannot find the multicache in Hemlock Park!

When the rainy weather sent us indoors, we tried bowling one day. Spencer and Garrett gave us a run for our money. Did not know alleys now have bumpers along the lanes to keep kids' balls (and mine, too) out of the gutters. I should get out more often.

Ranger rides took us out over our property and Kelvin's. We saw turkeys and deer, picked apples and berries. And rode through the woods.

The highlight for the boys might have been the fire station tour that Shane gave them. Sitting inside a fire truck and climbing up the outside, putting on the fire suit, and dragging a hose put smiles on two boys' faces.

The week at Emerald Lake put big smiles on our faces too.