Well, we’ve returned from our summer vacation. I’m more tired than I was when I left! Some vacation…oh, well. The kids enjoyed themselves immensely and my mom was happy. What else could I ask for?
We left New Jersey on Saturday, June 28. We hit about 6 torrential rainstorms on Rt 80. It was very difficult to drive in, to say the least. The baby was good and the kids were occupied with their DVD player, so other than the rain, it was a smooth drive.
We stopped in Erie, PA, to stay at a Quality Inn that we’ve stayed at before. We stop there to visit the Providence Reformed Baptist Church, which meets in that hotel.
Sunday, June 29. I can’t tell you how convenient it is to get up in the morning, and walk down the hall to the church! I told K we’d better not be late. 
A nice group of folks. The pastor, John Swindlehurst, has 10 kids! I’m in awe of him. He’s a great guy, too! We heard an awesome message of the plague of locusts.
We leave after the church service to head for Frankenmuth, MI. The site of a family reunion. My mom is the youngest of 9 children. That side of the family has a reunion every 2 years. This year’s reunion is held at the Bavarian Inn. Frankenmuth is kind of an interesting town- it has a distinctly German feel, and is the site of the famous Christmas store, Bronner’s.
We got there safely, through a number of rainstorms followed by sunshine. Weird weather I’m having on this drive. I was pretty delirious after two days of driving, so I took it easy the rest of the night.
Monday, June 30-Wednesday, July 2. We spent a nice time at the reunion with relatives- visiting, playing softball, swimming, playing games. E did a great job at the ‘talent show’ playing a violin piece.
Once while I was in the hot tub, I felt a lump in my pocket- it was my cell phone! I thought for sure I’d emptied out the deep pockets of my swim trunks before going in, but I was wrong. Rats!
We were able to get in daily personal and family devotions, which I was happy with. It’s difficult to do on vacation, when your regular schedule is topsy turvy, but it’s worth it- to show the kids they consistently need to meet with God every day, and to care for your own soul.
We got to my parents home in Battle Creek, MI on Wednesday evening. I was just starting to wash the dirty clothes we amassed while at the reunion and on the road when a furious storm came upon us. The electricity went out.
The next day, Thursday, July 3, the electricity was still out. It wasn’t out all over town, so we were able to get food and ice. I shlept to the laundromat with a bunch of wet clothes and all our other dirty clothes. I was joined by a bunch of other stinky, no-electricity-having suckers. I hadn’t been to a laundromat in years, and needed help! They had these cards that you put money on and use in the machines.
We got showers at Minges Creek Racqet Club, that was a relief. Then we saw the excellent movie, “Wall-E“, with the kids. We all loved it, though Big J thought we were seeing “Kung-Fu Panda” for some reason and was wondering throughout Wall-E when the panda would make his appearance!
I started feeling kind of sick with a cold. Yuck! Thanks to God, the weather was pretty nice, so we weren’t sweltering in the house with no fans or AC. Even the baby was a good sport about it all. All in all, it wasn’t too bad a time. We spent a lot of time outside and as a family. We’d been reading through a great book of short stories called “The Hacky” and had an unforgettable night reading a particularly entertaining short story by flashlight.
Friday, July 4th. We went out to breakfast with other family members. Later in the day we went to a party at my aunt’s. We came home and watched a great fireworks display over the lake that my parents live on. Fun!
Saturday, July 5th. The power came on very early in the morning. It was a happy and welcome surprise.
I got a cool new cell phone, the Samsung Katalyst. I like it much better than the one that took a swim.
K and I saw “Hancock” in historic Marshall, MI. at the Bogert Theater. The movie was really good except for the foul language and one unnecessary and incredibly disgusting scene.
I always appreciate a movie that is not 1) a sequel and 2) an original concept. This was both. And Jason Bateman has been awesome in recent days- Mr Magorium’s Wonder Emporium, Juno, and now, Hancock. Don’t call it a comeback!
Sunday, July 6th. We went to my parent’s church, First Assembly of God.
I slept all afternoon, still not feeling very good. K and I took a quiet boat ride and enjoyed some time together that evening.
Monday, July 7th- heading back home. Stopped in Indiana for some Vernor’s and Squirt to bring back to Jersey. These are super-dope sodas (I mean “pops”) that you can’t get out east.
Stayed in Youngstown, OH, for the night.
Tuesday, July 8th- got home OK. Glad to be home!
Posted by Robert 
Posted by Robert 
Posted by Robert 
