We Found Paradise!

On Thursday, March 19th, we drove up to visit Grandma & Grandpa Ackerman in Topinabee. Olivia did wonderful on the ride. She slept until Lake City; we then stopped to feed her and change her diaper in the car. Daddy had to run into the store to buy a bottle since we forgot them when we packed up her belongings...oops! Olivia started to get a little fussy when we were getting off at exit 313 (Grandma & Grandpa's exit). She had enough of riding in the car! When we got there, we had hoped to put Olivia to bed as it was close to 11pm, but Olivia wanted to visit! She ended up playing on the floor and showing Grandma & Grandpa her newly developed crawling skills. Finally, after much crying, she fell asleep in the Pack 'N Play. I think she missed her own bed.

Friday, Olivia spent some quality time with her Grandma while Daddy and Grandpa worked.

After much fussing, Olivia finally took a nap!

Playing with the antique coaster on Grandma's lap.

Grandma reads Olivia the TV Guide. "But, I'm not allowed to watch TV, Grandma."

Olivia enjoys ripping the pages off the TV Guide. This is only allowed at Grandma's house (it was an old one)!

Grandma is reading the TV Guide, but what is Olivia doing???

Multi-tasking!

Squirming around on the changing table...she's a stinker!

Olivia winds down her night with Daddy and Woody the Woodpecker.

Saturday morning we drove across the Mackinac Bridge to Paradise (Paradise, MI that is) to visit Tahquamenon Falls State Park. We geared Olivia up in her snowsuit and strapped her into the front pack, which Daddy had the pleasure of wearing. Then, we all took in the splendor of the Upper Tahquamenon Falls! I had never seen them in the winter, so it was a treat for me as well as Olivia! There was over a foot and a half of snow on the ground and the air was chilly, but it was a spectacular sight and worth the journey! We took many pictures, including the famous corner shot, which both Peter and I posed for when we were children and one together when we were dating. Now we have a family picture to add to our album. On our way back from the falls, Olivia was quite talkative, recounting the sights she had just seen. Next, the five of us enjoyed lunch at The Tahquamenon Falls Brewery & Pub; Olivia had a bottle and some veggies that we had packed for her. She was so exhausted from her hike outside that by the end of lunch she was sound asleep in her stroller. Grandma & Grandpa bought her a stuffed toy moose as a souvenoir of her first trip to Tahquamenon!

Sippy Cup

Grandma got out two sippy cups for Olivia to try. She enjoyed grabbing the white one, but she never really mastered actually using it to sip the water. Instead, water seemed to go all over Daddy and her!

Olivia protesting and getting antsy.

Grandma tries showing Olivia how to use the sippy cup, but...

Olivia is more interested in her placemat.

Play Time on the Floor

Grandma showed Olivia all the Veggie Tales characters. Olivia was a little stinker, though, because she would start fussing as soon as we left the room and even crawled toward the door to chase after Daddy. She seems to be more temperamental when she's away from her own home.

Sleeping Beauty

Olivia slept almost the entire ride to the falls, which made for a pleasant and peaceful ride.

Tahquamenon Falls, Here We Come!

Olivia looked like a giant pink marshmallow all bundled up in her snowsuit. (Thanks, Rachel & Jordyn!!!) Luckily, the front pack accomodated her larger size!

Our family next to the Upper Falls sign.

Grandma, Daddy, Olivia & Grandpa on the trek out to see the falls.

First views of the Upper Falls.

Grandpa's cool photography skills catch us on the stairs down to see a closer view of the Upper Falls (ironic?).

Check out the huge ice blocks on the bottom of the falls. It was a fun sight!

Don't you wish you had seen them too?

Mommy & Olivia pose for the famous corner shot!

Our Family!!

Grandma & Grandpa get a photo with Olivia!

I thought this was a cool picture! Can you see us in the distance? Check out the cliff we're on!

Daddy & Olivia heading back.

Olivia waves goodbye to the falls! She actually does know how to wave. That weekend she practiced waving to Grandma & Grandpa quite a lot.

Heading back up the 94 stairs.

Grandma takes a rest! Not really, she was actually coaxed into posing for this photo. It does illustrate, though, how deep the snow really was that day.

Olivia jabbering on her way back from the falls.

Lunchtime!

She starts out strong, but...

by the time lunch ended, she's WORE OUT and can't even keep her head up.

A Pot of Olivia

Grandma assists in giving Olivia a bath in the kitchen sink. She just fit in a metal pot!

Sunday we attended church, and after a nice lunch at Christopher's, we packed up and headed home. Olivia ended up sleeping the entire 3 1/2 hour trip home; all the way to 28th street! It was a fun weekend!!