Tuesday, October 13, 2009
St. Jo, MI
Well we took somewhat of an impromptu visit to St. Jo this past weekend. A week ago, Brandon brought up that we have a ton of hotel points, so lets get away (the 4 of us) for the weekend and he suggested St. Jo, MI. He'd seen an advertisement and away we went.
We left on Saturday, Oct 10th. Of course, before we'd left, we had done research and decided that we would head up to Jollay Orchards & do some fruit pickin. That morning, Brandon took the dogs to Petsmart hotel so they would be well taken care of while we were gone. Loaded up the car, put the address into the GPS and headed out. We noticed our directions kept changing and what was supposed to have been a 2 hr trip, ended up being almost 4 hrs. LOL Was starting to feel a little like Gilligan's island. The drive was the scenic route & it was some of the most beautiful scenery i've ever seen. The trees lining the Indiana, Michigan border were just incredible. I would like to say that they were red, purple, green, orange & yellow (which they were) but just saying the colors doesn't even begin to explain it the absolute majestic beauty.
Went out to lunch when we first got up there and then headed over to the Orchards. It was so stinkin cold out & we just kep hoping that it wasn't going to rain on our fun. As soon as we got to the farm, we realized that we had left our camera at home and only had our cameras on our phones. (BOOO!!!!)
We took a hayride to the apple trees, spent about an hr picking different types of apples. Then took the hayride around the rest of the farm. We really want to go back in July-there will be about 6 different fruits to pick and we can go to the beach afterwards. I think we spent about 2.5 or 3 hrs at the farm. After picking apples & hayrides, we fed the goats and sheep, played on the play area & took pictures.
Afterwards, we headed a mile down the road to Grandpa's Cider Mill where they made fresh cider. Of course, what's a trip to the cider mill w/out getting cider & apple cider doughnuts? We then finished off by going to the Chocolate garden. Of course, we expected this fabulout place where everything was made of or for chocolate. Really, it was just over-priced (but delicious) chocolate truffles.
Sunday, we made our way home. Stopped at an outlet mall that was in the area and then took a direct route home. Not as pretty, but much much shorter.
We left on Saturday, Oct 10th. Of course, before we'd left, we had done research and decided that we would head up to Jollay Orchards & do some fruit pickin. That morning, Brandon took the dogs to Petsmart hotel so they would be well taken care of while we were gone. Loaded up the car, put the address into the GPS and headed out. We noticed our directions kept changing and what was supposed to have been a 2 hr trip, ended up being almost 4 hrs. LOL Was starting to feel a little like Gilligan's island. The drive was the scenic route & it was some of the most beautiful scenery i've ever seen. The trees lining the Indiana, Michigan border were just incredible. I would like to say that they were red, purple, green, orange & yellow (which they were) but just saying the colors doesn't even begin to explain it the absolute majestic beauty.
Went out to lunch when we first got up there and then headed over to the Orchards. It was so stinkin cold out & we just kep hoping that it wasn't going to rain on our fun. As soon as we got to the farm, we realized that we had left our camera at home and only had our cameras on our phones. (BOOO!!!!)
We took a hayride to the apple trees, spent about an hr picking different types of apples. Then took the hayride around the rest of the farm. We really want to go back in July-there will be about 6 different fruits to pick and we can go to the beach afterwards. I think we spent about 2.5 or 3 hrs at the farm. After picking apples & hayrides, we fed the goats and sheep, played on the play area & took pictures.
Afterwards, we headed a mile down the road to Grandpa's Cider Mill where they made fresh cider. Of course, what's a trip to the cider mill w/out getting cider & apple cider doughnuts? We then finished off by going to the Chocolate garden. Of course, we expected this fabulout place where everything was made of or for chocolate. Really, it was just over-priced (but delicious) chocolate truffles.
Sunday, we made our way home. Stopped at an outlet mall that was in the area and then took a direct route home. Not as pretty, but much much shorter.
Catching up
Alright, so I know i've been absolutely horrible about keeping up with our blog. I mean, seriously the last one was in the beginning of June w/ Nora's potty-training (which by the way, was awesome & super easy and she was totally potty trained w/in about 2 wks). I have thought about updates, of course usually those thoughts are during times that i'm not actually able to get on & update.
Just a quick update til now....we had a great summer. The weather was really moderate & quite enjoyable. Nice temps, decent humidity, not too much rain. Headed out to So Cal for 4th of July and spent the holiday in Bakersfield visiting mostly with our parents & those who came up for our annual party. We were there for 5 days and spent pretty much the whole time in the pool. A couple weeks later, we celebrated my 31st birthday and the following week had the Pankey's out for their first visit. We sure did keep them busy, taking them to the city, downtown Naperville & some of our favorite places to eat. My mom came out for her 2nd visit at the end of August. We took her to the city as well, then the girls & I kept her busy shopping at various locations. Finished off the summer with Last Fling, the annual Naperville Labor Day weekend fair.
Holland started school at the end of August & she absolutely loves her new school, teachers and the kids in her class. She's currently going 4 days a week, 2.5 hrs a day. Every day she comes home excited about her day & eager to tell me what happened that day. Between motor room or playground, art center, sensory table & dress-up center, i 'm not sure which is her favorite. In September, both girls started classes at the Y. Holland is once again enrolled in ballet (she was also in this during the summer & last before we moved). Nora is in tiny-toes (ballet), 1,2,3 Come Sing w/ me & Tiny Tots multi-sports class. In between school & classes, we are constantly busy with our playgroup-going to the park, playdates, bookstores, mall & library.
Brandon is enjoying his new office & has settled into a consistent routine w/ the train and his schedule. No more late nights (YAY) or travelling. While he's gone from the house longer each day, its better now that it is consistent. As for myself, i've made some absolutely wonderful friends from my moms group. Not only do I get to see them during the day w/ the kids, but a few times throughout the month get to see them w/out the kids (bunco, Moms night out & book club).
Fall has rapidly approached w/out much warning and we can feel winter in the air already. We're all looking forward to our first real winter, but not wishing it to come to early. Just a couple more weeks and Halloween will be here. We all know that once halloween passes, its just days til Thanksgiving & Christmas and then the year will be over. I can't believe how fast this year has gone by. Well, maybe it won't be 4 mos til I remember to post again. :)
Just a quick update til now....we had a great summer. The weather was really moderate & quite enjoyable. Nice temps, decent humidity, not too much rain. Headed out to So Cal for 4th of July and spent the holiday in Bakersfield visiting mostly with our parents & those who came up for our annual party. We were there for 5 days and spent pretty much the whole time in the pool. A couple weeks later, we celebrated my 31st birthday and the following week had the Pankey's out for their first visit. We sure did keep them busy, taking them to the city, downtown Naperville & some of our favorite places to eat. My mom came out for her 2nd visit at the end of August. We took her to the city as well, then the girls & I kept her busy shopping at various locations. Finished off the summer with Last Fling, the annual Naperville Labor Day weekend fair.
Holland started school at the end of August & she absolutely loves her new school, teachers and the kids in her class. She's currently going 4 days a week, 2.5 hrs a day. Every day she comes home excited about her day & eager to tell me what happened that day. Between motor room or playground, art center, sensory table & dress-up center, i 'm not sure which is her favorite. In September, both girls started classes at the Y. Holland is once again enrolled in ballet (she was also in this during the summer & last before we moved). Nora is in tiny-toes (ballet), 1,2,3 Come Sing w/ me & Tiny Tots multi-sports class. In between school & classes, we are constantly busy with our playgroup-going to the park, playdates, bookstores, mall & library.
Brandon is enjoying his new office & has settled into a consistent routine w/ the train and his schedule. No more late nights (YAY) or travelling. While he's gone from the house longer each day, its better now that it is consistent. As for myself, i've made some absolutely wonderful friends from my moms group. Not only do I get to see them during the day w/ the kids, but a few times throughout the month get to see them w/out the kids (bunco, Moms night out & book club).
Fall has rapidly approached w/out much warning and we can feel winter in the air already. We're all looking forward to our first real winter, but not wishing it to come to early. Just a couple more weeks and Halloween will be here. We all know that once halloween passes, its just days til Thanksgiving & Christmas and then the year will be over. I can't believe how fast this year has gone by. Well, maybe it won't be 4 mos til I remember to post again. :)
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