Fisherwoman!

On Justins last night in TC we went fishing with my dad on East Bay. It was a perfect night to be on the lake.
This is the view from the back of the boat. Downriggers and a sunset.... a man's dream haha.
This was taken seconds before Justin sprung up to reel in a fish from the downriggers- he looks rather suspicious here.
Justin perched here most of the evening- he was in charge of watching the downriggers to see if we had any fish on.
Looking into the sun wasn't easy but we tried! The last few pictures of us until November!

Fishing was a success!! I caught the only 2 fish of the night!! I caught a whitefish and a HUGE salmon!! Soooooo I didnt have a license, but Justin and dad were SO proud of me :)
Here is my whitefish I caught on accident- we were'nt using lures to fish for this guy but he bit anyway! Whitefish (i guess) are pretty hard to get so I was lucky!! This one here was about 6lbs. I wanted to cry after catching him because I felt so bad for him....but dad and Justin made me keep him.
The biggie! Here is my 16lb salmon! He was a fighter too....took about 10min to wrangle him in. It's not easy either- my arm and hand were sore the day after. This salmon was a female and had tons of eggs in her. She also was a "tagged" fish (computer chip inserted in her skull for studying) so we have to send in the chip to find out where she was planted and how old she is etc. Pretty cool stuff! I was sort of proud to catch this one---dad was REALLY excited! I didn't want to touch the fish so I had gloves on just in case :)

We had lots of time in between "bites" so we opted for a photo! See you in November Justin! For those of you who don't know- Justin will be moving back for good in November back to Michigan to live with me!! We are all very excited about this! He will be finishing his degree at NMC and Davenport University for Business Finance....hes very happy about this change though it will be difficult for him to leave his "family" back in Montana. He has grown with his friends there for the past 6 years. He has made a very good decicion! Finally after a year and a half long-distance relationship (this time), we will be together again :)

TC & Glen Arbor!

Justin and I went out for a night with our friends to Kilkenny's ( a local irish pub). It was quite the popular place that night, they even had live music!
Rachelle and I stopping for a photo!
Every summer we take a trip to Glen Arbor (our favorite spot). Though we didn't have time for a day trip we had dinner at Boone Docks with our friends Rachelle, Jeremy, and Nick. We sat on the deck and listened to the live music. Unfortunately it was so chilly that night I had to BUY a sweatshirt at a store there to keep warm! Here we are on Glen Arbor's beach. (me and my glen lake sweatshirt)
Nick, Jeremy, and Justin. They wouldnt get closer than that.....boys.....
This is a better, brighter picture. The gorgeous sunset in the background :) ahhhh summer....

Fun Events

This picture somehow wouldnt upload during my last post- so here it is! Justin and I on Torch Lake. We are sunkissed! Being in the sun 6 hours does it to you :)
My childhood friend Kaytlyn and her new family including her husband Justin, and new baby Ellie came over for dinner one night while Justin was here. We had so much fun playing, feeding, and burping her! :) She is such a doll! Ellie had just reached 9lbs in this photo. Justin even held her a while!! So precious!
We spent an evening with my friend Kim and Adam. We had a bbq and attempted to plan our spring breaks together----we're hoping Mexico this year! If the funds last that long of course.... It was a good evening playing with their 2 dogs Libbi and Corky, and watching the last olympic events!
Beach Bums! Justin and I went to a Beach Bum's game with our friend Rachelle (she got us free VIP seats!) It was fun as usual- but the Bum's lost! There's nothing like a balmy summer evening at a baseball game :)
Rachelle & I at the game!

Mom's Bday & Some Fishies

Every year for mom's birthday we go to Pearl's in Elk Rapids for dinner. We also celebrated the ending of my summer classes! Such a relief! Plus the celebration of Justins arrival the night before! Yay!
Mom, Justin and I on the deck enjoying some cold beverages-waiting for our table.
First pic together in 3 months!
Rob and Justin assisted in the making of dinner on several occasions :) We like when there are more hands around the house.
Dad, Justin, and Rob went fishing together on a few occasions....they were successcul each time! Sporting the state colleges as well :)

Day on Torch!

My family has a summer tradition every year- we rent a pontoon boat on Torch Lake and bask in the hot sun all day. This year fortunately Justin was able to be with us during his 2 weeks visit!! It had been about 4 years since he'd been able to be here on this day so it was pretty special. The day was perfect, about 75 degrees and sunny. We had a full boat this time around. My parents, sister, Rob, Justin and I, my sisters friends Liam and Colleen, and also their friend Scott and his two twin boys! A blast!
We bought blow up floats to use on the lake....this is my attempt to blow this one up! Putting my lung capacity to good use!
The water was aquamarine....only on Torch Lake! We stopped the boat right in the middle of a REALLY deep drop off and we all jumped in to swim a while. They are lucky they got me out in deep water which I usually hate. I opted for the floatie.
This is our view from the boat- later on there were about 100 boats docked on the sandbar. It was quite the sight. We pigged out on chips, pop, and candy all day long.....and then headed up to the Dockside for dinner :) The perfect day!

Biking the Betsie Trail-Frankfort

The family decided to spend a day biking the Betsie trail in Frankfort! It was about a 14mile bike trip, but it was beautiful scenery! Here is the Frankfort beach in all it's glory.
Here I am infront of the beach, and lighthouse. As you can see it was very windy---makes for tough biking!
My little red cruiser! Shes a good bike....no gears! We stopped on this trail which ran around Crystal Lake.
Mom & Dad enjoying the beach scene as well!
Crystal Lake again. After our long bike ride we walked through downtown Frankfort and had dinner at Fusion right on the lake.... a very delicious, and well deserved meal!

Harbor Days 2008!

Every year we go to Elk Rapids for their Harbor Days! This year mom, Lindsey, and I did the Harborun 5k! It was pretty awesome considering it was my first time attempting to run a race! Mom and I officually ran/walk the race, and Linds ran the whole thing! We felt pretty good aftterwards....it was a very nice day for a 3.1 mile run! In the evening we have a tradition of having Chef Charles pizza from elk rapids, walking the docks to see the boats, and then fireworks at dusk! I love this time of year... (Lindsey and I on the docks)
I decided if I ever get a boat- this is what I would name it! This boat however was a yacht.....and no I will never own one! But it's fun to dream :)
The sunset was so pretty! I can't remember a Harbor Days when it wasnt sunny, and clear! The fireworks were amazing- best i've ever seen. Better than cherry festival by FAR. You must see them.....they shoot them off from the docks right across from the marina. It's only about 100ft away! Our blankets have been known to catch fire due to the debris falling from the sky! It was another great day- cant wait for next year's!

Justin Update!

Well, I know this blog has mostly been about my life and what's happening since Justin does not have a digital camera at the moment (and hasnt been able to send any pics my way of his summer). I thought I'd let everyone know whats going on with the boy in Montana.

Justin will be flying back to Michigan on August 13, staying through the 27th! He is very excited to have a 2 week vacation with my family....and we are SO excited to see him again. It has been 3 months since we last saw each other. Justin has officially cut his ties with Montana State University after a long battle with engineering. He was not happy doing that anymore, and needed to change for the better. (plus i think the distance between us sorta has something to do with it ) He has decided to move back to Traverse City and begin a business degree through NMC, and then continue on with Davenport University!!! He will be starting 13 online credits on August 24th, and proceed to take them online while he is living in Bozeman. He will not move back to TC until Novemeber due to working 2 jobs with his roofing company, and Bennigan's. There is more money to be made in MT, rather than MI. He is very excited to begin a new chapter of his life- and so am I!

Bennigan's went bankrupt (as im sure you heard in the news lately) about a week ago and will be closing several of their restaurants....Justin's was one of them. It will be officially closed in 2 weeks time, and turned into Bozeman Tavern & Grill. Luckily, he will still have a job! He is also looking forward to giving up the food industry :)

Justin has been very busy this summer with his roofing company (which he now has 2 employees who do must of the work) and cooking for bennigan's. He also installed his very own underground irrigation system for his lawn, and laid sod all by himself. Quite the process! The house looks amazing, and will find good renters i'm sure. He has also been fishing when he can, and went to the Mile High Music Fest in Denver in July. He saw many amazing artists and bands, he had a total blast. That was his "escape" for the summer.

Im VERY excited for Justin's visit.....this is one of the last time's we will have to do the distance thing :) Im grateful for that. More to come later (and hopefully pics!).

Katy's Wedding

These pics are a little out of order because I had some trouble downloading. My cousin Katy Guy was married July 24th at Timberlee. Here are Lindsey and I looking a wee bit sleepy from the long day!
Mom and Dad cutting a rug on the dance floor!
Rob & Linds
My aunt Amy and uncle Joel (brides parents)
Katy & Glem Wilson...the newlyweds. Katy is 3 weeks older than I am.....we used to always celebrate our birthdays together. My how times have changed!!

Here is the group (minus the groom) posing for a quick photo! It was mighty warm on her wedding day....especially inside the reception hall.
The cake! Chocolate and Vanilla....very classic.
At the begining of the reception....pondering if we should utilize the cash bar :)

The wedding ceremony.....which was 2 minutes long. Some like it short and sweet I guess!
Still Katy got emotional! A true bride. It was an interesting but fun day. Seeing another cousin get married was fun, and surreal all at once. Congrats Kate!

The Knapp's Visit!

Justin's parents (The Knapp's) came to Michigan to visit for 2 weeks!! They live in Moscow, Idaho--but they are from Michigan. It was awesome having them in town! We shopped, laughed ALOT, had dinners together, and drank our fair share of wines :) This is one of the dinners we had together at Apache Trout Grille on West Bay! A perfect night.....
The girls of the evening! Mrs. Knapp, me, my mom, and Lindsey. We had such a blast together!
I think it's safe to say we got quite a few stares this evening- we were loud, had lots of wine, and took pictures on this wobbly dock where this photo was taken. We're pretty good with the camera timer! Justin is the only thing missing from this picture.... (pout) But we still had fun, and man we are pretty photogenic! :)
Fishtown,Leland! We had dinner (again) with the Knapp's in Leland at the Bluebird. Great food! You must try the Whitefish. Here we are after sprinting towards the sunset by the marina only to miss is going down. We made quite a scene needless to say :)
Another group shot! We were tourists for the evening....but it was so much fun. We miss the Knapp's alot and hope they move back to Michigan sooner than later :) But for now I will be satisfied with their son moving back! Yay Justin!