Detroit 2011

Detroit 2011



Friday Night



What a weekend it has been! We set out early Friday evening for a long drive to Michigan to see the Carpenter family. Kacey and I met nearly 4 years ago online. We were both pregnant and on the What to Expect message boards. I was due in early September 2007 and she was due in late September. The September 2007 ladies we met were and have been a big part of our lives ever since. Kacey & I got to know each other a little better through being paired up as 'Belly Buddies'. It was set up so that when someone went into labor, their belly buddy would be the one we would contact to pass information on to the rest of the board. They tried to pair up those moms that were not due close to each other, and the luck of the draw placed Kacey and I together. Kendra came in August, and Hayley in late September. We stayed in contact online ever since. In 2008, we had a meeting of anyone close to Indiana that wanted to come from WTE 9-07 at the Indianapolis Zoo. This was the first time Kacey & I were able to meet in person. In 2009, a small group of couples met in Gatlinburg, TN for a weekend bringing us together for the second time. This weekends' trip is the first time since 2008 that our familes have all been together, and the 3^rd time we've met in person. Kacey's parents provided us with a place to sleep by parking their camper in Kacey & Billy's driveway. It was very comfortable and gave each of us a bed to sleep comfortably in. Big thanks to them!

Kendra and Hayley hit it off Friday night and were playing in Hayley's room within 20 minutes of arriving.

Saturday started out with a donut run to Dunkin Donuts for breakfast. Missy, Allie, and Stephen went with Carol (Kacey's mom) and the boys, Orion & Justin, to bowling. They bowled a few games while the boys had their bowling league, then the boys joined them for a game. Kacey & I had a cup of coffee in her back yard once the kids had left with Carol while Kendra & Hayley played in the back yard. In the meantime, Kacey, Patrick, Kendra, Hayley and I hit the stores! We had to check out Target since Kacey is always talking about going there.. not that it's any different that a Target near us, but because it's Kacey's Target. These girls are going to be dangerous when they are old enough to really shop!

 

 

 

 

 

Once the damage was done at Target, we checked out the Westland Mall. Kacey's best friend met us there for some shopping & lunch. Carol met us with the kids and took all of the kids except for Stephen to a bounce-house type place in the mall to play.
All too soon, the shopping fun was over, and we headed back to Kacey's house to hang out for a little while.

Kendra and Hayley made out like bandits at the stores, and of course had to try things on, which in turn meant that I had to take even more pictures. J

They ran around & played outside in their new dresses for a little while.

 

Kacey helped me color a few little highlights in Missy's hair which turned out great! There was plenty of dye left, so Orion got a little color in his hair and Patrick tried to put some copper in his beard. It was an interesting & fun afternoon. J As evening drew near, we got ready to head out for dinner. We went to Ashleys Beer & Grill in Westland, right by the mall. The kids enjoyed mac & cheese or personal pizzas. Patrick had some Killians & his usual chicken tenders. He ordered a side of chili, which was wonderful. I had a bite of it and loved it. It is very much like my chili in consistency & flavor, but had just a little more kick to it, a mystery spice that I want to find out what it is and use it in mine! I had their Philly Cheese Steak, which was pretty good. It was a fun evening out with the Carpenters.

Missy with McCann

Stephen, Missy, Lexi, Orion, Toni, Allie, and Kendra

We got home fairly late, but the kids were nowhere near ready to go to sleep. Allie, attached to Orion by this time, stuck to him like glue rest of the evening. They had a 'kids party' in the camper while we watched a movie inside. They eventually moved the party to the basement here they watched movies till almost 2am. Hayley & Kendra ran back and forth between the bedroom & living room playing until sometime after midnight when Kendra & Daddy retreated to the camper to go to bed. Hayley finally passed out on Kacey's lap around 1:30am. As much as I didn't want to, my eyes were getting heavier and heavier, so I made my way to bed around 1:45am. This morning, we finally opened our eyes around 9:30am. It's been awhile since we've slept past 7am and Patrick looked at me and said, "So this is what it's like to sleep in?" I have to admit it was very nice, and long overdue!

It took awhile to get moving this morning, but we finally got loaded up in the van and went to brunch with Carol & Jonathan, Kacey's parents. There wasn't much more after that, just packing up & getting ready to head out. We did grab a few final pictures before heading out.



From Belly Buddies, to Baby Buddies, to Best Friends & Beyond



Overall, the trip was wonderful! The drive wasn't too bad at all, the kids all did very well, and we had a great time. Kacey's home is beautiful and she has such a wonderful family! I can't wait to spend more time with them all in the future.  

The Detroit area would definately take some getting used to on my part. The stoplights are different, turn lanes, etc, but I'm sure to them it would be odd down here!