Snowpacalypse March 3, 2012

The end of the snowy season "Up North" brought a crazy amount of snow. Many people lost power. Some people were without power for up to a week. Thankful we were in not in that category. Stefani decided to get all bundled up to go out and play. Plus, some snow needed to be knocked off the satellite dish if we wanted to watch TV. 

 Our deck had a fro. 

Not even touching the deck.

Snow angel time.

The snow was so heavy that it took Stefani a couple of attempts to move her legs.

Yay! Now she has to get up....

"This would be a lot easier if I didn't keep sinking."

Ta da! The Russian judge gave a low score. Something about not sticking the landing. 

 Scooby Doo "Monster" Snow Angel.

Heading to save the satellite. It just needed some snow knocked off. By the way, feet are not touching the ground. There was about 6 inches of snow under the feet. 

We normally have our driveway plowed by a truck, but they weren't messing around with this snow.

We are looking forward to winter being over. We miss rain storms, grilling, and not having to wear layers. 

God's Blessings,

Joshua and Stefani

Stefani's Parents August 2011 Visit

Stefani's parents came for a visit/vacation. We were quite the Michigan explorers while they were here. 

The Monday of their visit everyone minus Joshua headed to Petoskey. We ate lunch at Grand Traverse Pie Company, picked up some wine at the Mackinaw Trail Winery store, bought T-shirts at the Life is Good store, and hung out at Bayfront Park. Joshua was then able to meet up with us and we headed to the Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula. We had tastings at Peninsula Cellars and Chateau Grand Traverse. The tastings were free and the wine was quite good. When we were finished tasting we had dinner at our favorite Traverse City restaurant, Mackinaw Brewing Company. On the way back to Onaway we found the Largest Cherry Pie Plate in World.

Tasting wine at the Peninsula Cellars.

The crazy yummy apple wine we bought. 

The gorgeous view of the vineyard at Chateau Grand Traverse. 

This is in the book Weird Michigan. We had to find it!


Tuesday we headed to the Upper Peninsula (the U.P.) of Michigan. It was Stefani's parents first time crossing the Mackinac Bridge and going to the U.P.. We went to the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie. The boat tour of the locks was at the top of our "to do" list. When we finished will the tour we ate at Antlers. Antlers has gotten recommendations from people we know and various books. The food was quite good and the atmosphere was fun. 

We are on a boat!


Wednesday we headed back to the U.P.. We went to the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum in Paradise, MI. The museum was pretty interesting. The Great Lakes has a long shipping history and with that comes some crazy wrecks. While we were there we had the opportunity to stick our toes in Lake Superior. Stefani has a life goal of dipping her toes in each of the five Great Lakes. So far she is three for five. We also had pastys in the U.P.. They are the insides of a pot pie with the outside of a calzone. (Click on the word "pastys" to find out more information.) After we explored the shipwreck museum we headed to Tahquamenon Falls. Seeing the falls has been something we have wanted to do for a while. We were happy to get the chance. 

Stefani's feet in Lake Superior.

Joshua's feet in Lake Superior.

The lighthouse at the shipwreck museum complex.

 Stefani eating her first pasty.

Joshua eating his first pasty.

Stefani's parents, Kelly and Ted, with Lake Superior in the background. It was super windy that day.

Stefani and Joshua with Lake Superior in the background. 

Tahquamenon Falls, these are the upper falls. Simply beautiful!

It was great visit. We really enjoyed the down time and getting to explore more of Michigan. Thanks Mom/Kelly and Dad/Ted!


God's Blessings,


Joshua and Stefani

Circuit Meeting and Soo Locks

There was a circuit meeting in Kinross, which is about 15 minutes from the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie. Stefani decided to join Joshua at the circuit meeting and then go check out the Locks. The weather was gorgeous up until the end of our time at the Locks. We saw two boats go through. One was one of the tour boats.

 Being Welcomed. Although, if we went under the sign we would be on our way to Canada.

The Locks from one end to the other.


The next pictures show a tour boat that goes through the locks. Watch as the boat rises....

Bye tourists!

Next time we go we will be on a tour boat. 


God's Blessings,


Joshua and Stefani

Super Bowl 2010

We decided to throw a small Super Bowl party. We two couples from church over for the big game. We ate corn chowder, fresh bread, bacon cheddar pinwheels, and other assorted goodies.

We rooted for the Green Bay Packers. This house is a Cleveland Browns house, so there was no cheering for the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

Martin even got into the spirit. Stefani decided he needed to join in on the fun. 


God's Blessings,


Joshua and Stefani

Sue's Visit

Sue, Joshua's sister, came for her first visit "Up North" this past week.  We showed her the major sights: Church, Petoskey, Mackinaw Crossings, Ocqueoc Falls, the beach of Lake Huron, and Mackinac Island. Not to mention all the yummy places we have to eat!  We enjoyed showing her the "new" home we have talked so much about.

Shopping in Petoskey.

Awwwww. Christmas card pictures?

At our favorite eatery, Manzana's.

 

 Sue, Lady Liberty, Stefani.

Another great visit with family!

God's Blessings,

Joshua and Stefani

BBQ and an Ordination

The Ketelsens hosted a second BBQ at our house for the members of the church council. It was great to open our home to people who have been such a big part of our lives this past year. We had about 20 folks over. There was a bit of rain so we had to move the party into the garage. (Joshua had the smarts clean it out that morning.) 

The next day Joshua participated in an ordination of a classmate from Seminary. Pastor Peter Elliott and his family were Called to Christ Lutheran in Boyne City. Boyne City is about an hour from Onaway. (Which around here is not very far.) It was a great service and we really enjoyed seeing them.

The pastors giving words of wisdom and a prayer for the new shepherd. Joshua is hiding behind the man with the large book.(Which happens to be Peter's father and his brother is the current pastor praying over him.)

Please keep the Elliott family in your prayers as they embark on this adventure. 

God's Blessings,

Joshua and Stefani