Trip to Michigan/Auntie and Uncle's 50th Anniversary Party 10-26

We just spent a week in the UP of Michigan with my mom's sister. We made the trip for my Auntie and Uncle's 50th Wedding Anniversary party. Their six daughters planned the party and I have to say it was amazing! They really know how to party up there! Our last trip was two years ago when Sweet Pea was just an infant. I can't even tell you how special it was to go up there now that she can interact and play with everyone. It was so fun to see her playing with her cousins (six of my cousins were there, sixteen of their kids and six of thier kids' kids) - she loved to tell me "That's my cousin" in her southern draw. There are so many kids up there, I was thinking it might be a little overwhelming. But they are all so loving and fun that Sweet Pea warmed up to them right away. She was in the middle of the action most of the time (which is unlike me as a child, apparently I was always hiding behind my mother's skirt). She was on the dance floor all night! Seriously from the time the band started until they stopped 3 or so hours later. And there was always someone there to love on her. She met my mom's other sister and brother for the first time. It was very special to see her with my mom's side of the family. I could tell she really loved my Aunties. One special memory I have of the trip was at the party, Sweet Pea was getting really tired and she started asking for "Gramma" (which is what she calls my Auntie). She finally found her and climbed up in her lap and just snuggled up to her. It gave me a slight glimpse of how she would've have been with my mom.

I guess I should add that Bear had his share of attention, too. It was so nice to have someone there who wanted to hold him all of the time.

Anyways, I have posted pictures from the trip. One of the pictures is Sweet Pea standing in front of the house my mom grew up in. I was very excited about that picture.