Lighthouse Tour

Being original is cool... don't you think?

I'm so fascinated with lighthouses. I wasn't exactly sure what it was that made me so fascinated, but after thinking about it I came up with a couple reasons: Maybe because I saw my first one in person just two years ago, that's a good possibility. Maybe it is the fact that each and every one of them are painted and built differently, that's another possibility. But maybe just maybe because they are all so unique AND were built for the same specific purpose. So lighthouses are like us people... being created unique in our own way, yet still having a purpose in this life. So every time I see one, I'm amazed by their beauty and structure, yet don't question why they were built.

When we were up north last week we made our way up to see some lighthouses, and even took a boat to see some not so easy to get to ones in the middle of Lake Michigan. The day we went was a gorgeous day, one where the water was really flat, which is VERY RARE! Yay for us!!!

Here are some of the lighthouses we saw and I am truly blessed to have been able to see these... seriously, I was in awe by just how peaceful and wonderful they were in open water... yet, a bit frightened at the whole being out in open water. But still pretty cool...

We stopped in Cheboygan beforehand to see this one called Cheboygan Crib





Todd gets so nervous when I try to venture off the path... as you can tell I was definitely off the path... needless to say he was nervous and made sure I know to not drop my camera in the water... ha!



Mackinac Bridge...



Going under the bridge... what a site... they were in the process of painting it which was neat to see...



There was a cargo ship going under right as we were going... that doesn't happen often



The long awaited "Candy Cane" lighthouse, also known as White Shoal Light



Look at that lovely structure out in the middle of nowhere... you can even see the reflection of it, which is very rare as well...



Goodbye my friend... I will love you forever!



Another cool one out in the middle of nowhere called Gray's Reef Light





I love how peaceful it looks out in the calm waters...



This is as close as we could get to Waugoshance Light, it was really shallow there



Another cargo ship... again not often you get that close to those...



As close as we could get to this one as well St. Helena Island Light... but people stay on this island at this lighthouse all summer long that are associated with the Lighthouse Restoration projects... I think I would be a bit creeped out staying there... haha!



We went to this one after the tour which was in Mackinac City called McGulpin's Point... we even went to the top of this one...



This was Todd's view from the P&S camera... which turned out really good, straight out of the camera...



And here we are on the boat...



What an adventure!!! That I will remember forever!

Surprise Surprise...

That is exactly what the box said to me when we returned home from up north and it was laying on our kitchen table.

Engagement albums are the hot item these days... and I don't blame them. They are really HOT! I LOVE them and this is why...

Look at that custom cover...





Saaawwwweeettt....



1mm thick pages



Laying flat binding...



If you are interested in getting one to use for a sign in book, coffee table book, whatever... let me know.

We're Back!!!!

Rain, Rain, Go Away!!! Seriously... it can leave now!

So we just got back last night, but I wanted to let everyone know that we had a great time... and boy is it busy now than ever. I'm not sure how long I've actually breathed today. So tonight after my last meeting, I'm going to come home for a quick dinner and go to yoga tonight to relax and BREATHE! I'm really needing that!

But I also wanted to give a quick preview of what's to come as our trip was great and I finally got to see the "Candy-Cane" Lighthouse... WOW... that's all I've got to say!

This is right before it rained on Mackinac Island... still beautiful!

Mackinac Island here we come...

Wooo Hooo... my FIRST trip up to the famous Mackinac Island. (I pronounce it Macinaww with my Indiana accent)

I'm so excited to see what everyone seems to talk about when they talk about going to Macinaww. Todd and I are leaving for up north today, and will be staying in Boyne. We will be venturing over to Charlavoix, Petowsky (another Indiana accent), Macinaww, and even see some more lighthouses, even the Candy Cane one I've REALLY been wanting to venture to, only accessible by boat. Wooo Hooo...

I will have lots to post when we return on Wednesday... Enjoy your weekend and can I just say, where in the world did this cold weather come from?!!! Crazy!

Macinaww from Google... can't wait to see it for the first time ever!

BallOOns!

Have you ever been up in a hot air balloon?

I HAVE!!! Ok well it was still tied to the ground by we did go up just a little ways. I think it would so cool, yet scary at the same time to rely on that little woven basket to keep you from falling down to the ground. But no matter what the risk factor is with flying a hot air balloon, they always are decorated with lots of colors, shapes, and designs. I think that's the neatest thing.

A couple weeks ago we went out to Brighton to watch their Hot Air Balloon Festival. We went a couple years ago and it was really neat to watch, for the 10 mins they were up. But then you can go chase them and watch all the balloons fall in the neighborhood yards and streets, which is really quite interesting to see. This year we opted out, but we did enjoy watching all the many balloons that were there. We had a beautiful day for it and great company as well!!!

Look at all those balloons...







Maddox was pooped... (he slept most of the next day!)



Mac was a huge fan of the balloons! (He also slept most of the next WEEK! He's got a couple years on Maddox)



This one was by far my favorite... how cool!



We had a great time...

Isabella :: 1 year old

Fussy... yes. Cute... absolutely!

Babies are sometimes fussy, non-responsive when you call them, wanna-be independent, but boy are they adorable! I feel like sometimes I'm a one year old with their attention span. Ha! But their cute little personalities are really starting to shine at that age, which makes it all worth it.

Izzy was super cute and of course I'm a bit biased since she's my niece, but I think she is a cute kid. I can't believe she'll be ONE next week. Yikes!

Here are some from our session...

I know the sun is shining in her face, but the sky was super cool that day... so had to work with what we had going and still cute...









Squishy nose...







ALMOST walking...



Mom & Dad had to jump in for one...



She started zoning out...but she really liked this flower...





Mmm... that's gotta taste good! Ha! And she's spent... Ha!

Happy Birthday Maddox & Izzy!

Seriously... how does time fly so stinkin' fast?

It has been a year of fun with our boy Maddox and also a year since my niece Isabella was born. I thought since we would have everyone visiting for the holiday weekend we could have a "joint" party for them. I called my friend Nina, with Nina Kelly's Cakes, and she whipped up some of her delicious cupcakes up for us. They looked just how I wanted them to look... she did an awesome job!

Check them out... they tasted so much better than they look... which means they were SOOOO yummy!





Even flowers... what a great touch...



We had a great day cooking out and having a fun day in the sun! What a beautiful day it was and it was a great last day for the family to visit. We even got some one year shots of Izzy, which will be up later this week.

I can't believe that Maddox once looked like THIS...



And now here the birthday boy!



He thought it was good, he even took a lick of my sister's... oppppsss.... sorry Rachel!



And Izzy once looked like THIS...



And now she's eating cupcakes for the first time...



Hmmm.... not too sure yet!



The sugar kicked in and she was back for more...



Mmm....



I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend! I know we sure did over here at the Veldman Photo's household.. Enjoy your week!