Baptism, Birthday, and Parties Oh My!

We had a wonderful 7 days with the Masons of Lexington, SC and the Denjas of Plymouth, MI. The weather cooperated for travel, it cooled off appropriately for the Winter WOW Fest events and we had a couple days of sunshine. The week was to celebrate the baptism of Avery and the second birthday of Kendall. It was great to have all the grandkids together and see them interact so well. We all missed Aunt Erin and Grandma Alice but they were here in spirit and we don't know where they would have slept anyway! Counting Rose and I we had 14 people in the house for four of the days. The dishwasher and laundry got a real workout!

All made it home safely on good roads and good flights with a little caveat for the Masons who arrived in Charlotte, NC for the drive home to Lexington, SC but without the car key which was left at our house! But, thanks to an all night locksmith they got in the car and he made a key. Something tells us they will always check for their car key in the future.

Here is our week in review. You can also check out many more pictures on the Denja blog at denjablog.blogspot.com


We drove to lots of places and watched movies in Grandma's van on the way. Carmen, Kendall and Isabel loved it.

The kids played with lots of toys. Peter and Mikey liked the Legos.

Kendall likes to have tea parties with Grandma.

We saw fireworks on Saturday at the end of the Winter WOW Festival.

We celebrated Kendall's birthday with a party at Lucky Jack's in Traverse City. Bowling was a hoot with preschoolers!

The kids had a great time on the bumper cars...so did Aaron, LeighAnne and Mike.

After the party at Lucky Jack's we came home and had cake and ice cream. Kendall just happened to have a favorite cake that is the same as Grandpa Bob's...confetti with cherry frosting! Wasn't that a coincidence?

We went swimming several times at the Grand Traverse Resort where Grandma Rose works.

A tradition is to have home made waffles for at least one breakfast.

We saw ice sculptures and other neat things in downtown Traverse City as part of the Winter WOW Festival.

Grandma Rose always has a cool craft project for the kids.

Father Gerry at Christ the King church did the honors in baptising Avery.

The kids also went to the Resort for pony rides, a petting zoo and some other fun stuff. Sadly, we had lost most of our snow so we could not go sledding or ice skating.

Poor Isabel was so sad....not!

Kendall chowed down on her pizza at the Lucky Jack's party.

On the last day Mike took a walk in back of our house by the bay and got to see the two eagles that built a nest this past summer just a few hundred yards from our house. Kind of symbolic of our children leaving their nest and then driving, and flying, back home. How's that for a sappy comparison? Great times were had by all!