The Duck's Nest

Seista Keys

2010-01-03T10:31:00.001-08:00

On our last full day in Florida we stopped by Siesta key just south of Sarasota. The sand was white and had the finest particles I have ever seen. It was a little too cool for swimming but nice to walk on.

Mode Aqurium

2010-01-03T10:24:00.000-08:00

Mode Aquarium is a rescue hospital for turtles, manatee, dolphins, and sea birds. It was fun to see the animals close up.

Myakka River Tour

2010-01-03T10:15:00.000-08:00

After backtracking back to Venice we went on a river tour. The trees looked like something our of a Scooby Doo episode (you know that creepy place where the mystery machine breaks down).

Christmas at Aunt Chris's

2010-01-03T10:02:00.000-08:00

Nathan's Christmas Eve camp ground

Hollywood Beach

2010-01-03T09:56:00.000-08:00

Our first full day in at Chris’s we went for a day at Hollywood beach (between Ft Lauderdale and Miami). The kids had a great time playing in the surf.

2010-01-03T09:49:00.000-08:00

By Chris’s house in Davie there are trees that the birds roost in at night. There are thousands of them in just one tree.

Tennis in Venice

2010-01-03T09:43:00.001-08:00

In Venice we took an few hours one afternoon to enjoy a game of tennis. I have to admit I had more fun harassing the players with my favorite toy (my camera).

Sharky's Pier

2010-01-03T09:33:00.000-08:00

Our First stop on our Christmas vacation was my with my Father in Venice. Close to the condo was Sharky’s Pier. Many fisherman were on the pier fishing for sharks. Another fun thing to do here is sift thru the shells for fossilized shark teeth. We were able to find a few dozen.

The Grand Tetons

2009-07-12T16:02:00.001-07:00

On the way home we stopped at Grand Teton National Park for a snack and a quick stretch. This is another park I would like to spend some time in, in the future.

Yellowstone National Park

2009-07-11T20:14:00.001-07:00

The main goal of our trip!! Yellowstone National Park, the first National park in the world’s history. Here everything is big, big mountains, big valleys, big canyons, big waterfalls, and of course BIG ANIMALS.

When we arrived it was 40 deg F and rain. Luckily it broke for about 20 min, so we had time to put up the tent. At 7,700 ft. every night was near freezing. Hailey got to sleep in our sleeping bag with us. For the three days we were in the park the weather was perfect, 70's durring the day and blue skys. The park rangers said it was the best they had seen all year. He said that June had been all rain and snow.

The Norris Geyser Basin

Painters Pallet

The Mud pots were the kids favorite

These things smell like sulfer, like most things in the park.

The kids loved working on the Junior Ranger books to earn their badges.

Waiting for Old Faithfull

There she is, right on schedule.

One-way water goes to the Pacific, the other the Atlantic. Both those oceans seem a long way away right now.

A female elk

Volcano Mud Pot

Buffulo tracks in the mud.

This Grizzly was one big bear. 200 yards was plenty close enough.

"Hey Boo Boo, how about a picknic basket"

The Upper Falls

Petrified wood

A few smaller male elk

Check out this rack!! (I can say that without getting in trouble :) )

Mammoth Hot springs.

See the bear claw marks on the tree. Even on the tree right out side our tent, the bark was gone from the Elk rubbing their antlers.

Bicen

Check out the huge birds nest!!

The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

Nathan making friends in the camp ground.

The rain was heading in, as we were headed out. It rained when we came in, gave us perfect weather for three days, then rained on the way out.

Big Horn National Forest

2009-07-11T17:47:00.000-07:00

On the way from Custer State Park to Yellow Stone, we made a few quick stops in Bighorn National Forest. It was a good place to break up the 10 hour drive. I think the whole family was getting a little loopy.

In Bighorn, we did see a moose at about 300 yards. It was just a little too far to get a good picture with my lens.

A snowball fight at one of the passes.

White wash!!!

Wall Drug

2009-07-11T17:30:00.001-07:00

Just north of the Badlands, is the city of Wall. I do believe Wall Drug is the largest roadside tourist trap in the west. The kids loved it. I wanted to start running after about 20 min.

A Jackalope .

Amy getting her “Free Water”

The Badlands

2009-07-11T09:33:00.001-07:00

For our second day of site seeing in South Dakota we drove up to the Badlands. Since a picture is worth a thousand words, I just let the pictures do the talking. It was a warm day, the ambient air in the truck said it hit 100 F.

“I smell snakes” – Hailey D.

Some big horn sheep hanging out.

This was the perfect time of year. The wild flowers were in bloom.

Crazy Horse

2009-07-09T19:38:00.001-07:00

You can’t help but to be impressed by the insanity of Crazy Horse. All the faces of Mt Rushmore could fit into the figures face! The plan is to sculpture the mountain in 3D. It has changed some since I visited it 30 years ago, now the face is carved. It is impressive that it is a privet venture with no government funds. The family keeps working away. I do feel that some day it will be completed.

Now that’s one big old air compressor.

Poor old truck… All bug covered.

Mt Rushmore

2009-07-09T19:24:00.000-07:00

Mt Rushmore is impressive. Every American should see it in there life. We had perfect weather for our first full day of site seeing in South Dakota.

The flags of all 50 states.

Custer State Park - South Dakota

2009-07-09T18:45:00.001-07:00

Our first stop for camping was Custer State Park in South Dakota. This park is located in the hart of the Black Hills. It had wonderful campgrounds and was located near Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and the Badlands. We spent three nights camping in the park while we visited the sites. This was one of the nicest campgrounds we have stayed in.

Our home for three nights.

The rangers taught us how to pan for gold. No luck this time, guess we will have to go back to our day jobs.

Here is a burrow getting lunch from Nathan.

Big bumble bees.

This park was great for wild life.

Like the sign says “Wild Life at Large”.

There are over 3,000 wild Buffalo in the park. They were everywhere. We also got to see deer, pronghorn, wild turkey and wild burrow

Where there are buffalo, there are buffalo chips.

Nathan's First Game

2009-06-03T17:26:00.001-07:00

Friday was Nathan’s first baseball game. He got a base hit the first time at bat. The second time he got walked, then stole second and third. Not too bad for a first game.

Making Maple Syrup at Grandma's

2009-04-12T17:23:00.000-07:00

For spring break this year we headed North instead of South. This year Mom had a very good maple syrup season. It was a great opportunity for us learn how to make syrup and help out.
The sugar shack. Shadow is barking at the snow, trying to get it to slide off.

The collection barrels

Nathan can not wait until he is old enough

How to run up to 60 taps into one barrel

Sweet pea

Pumping sap out of the barrels

Corey doing his rounds

The sap pan and burner.

Nathan’s favorite part

Lou monitoring the Syrup

The kitchen (finishing pan, pump, filter, and bottling)

Hailey sticking stickers on pancake mix

Bottling the product.

The Great Wolf Lodge

2009-04-12T17:14:00.001-07:00

After visiting mom’s for a few days we headed for the Great Wolf Lodge. It is a Hotel with a giant indoor water park. Good thing it is indoor, it was snowing pretty good out side. The kids had a good time splashing around for two days.

Hailey's Spring Musical

2009-03-29T17:45:00.000-07:00

Last week Hailey’s class got the opportunity to perform on the big stage at the middle school. Hailey danced to two numbers. I think she enjoyed it.

Smoke

2009-01-22T18:50:00.000-08:00

Since I was at the camp out on my birthday, we had cake when we got home. Hailey insisted on the appropriate number of candles. I managed to blow out all but 3, the smoke was too much. The cake won this year!!

Camp Out With The Boy Scouts

2009-01-22T18:40:00.000-08:00

For the long three-day weekend I went on a camp out/ski trip with Nathan’s Boy Scout Group. We went to Camp Rotary in Clair Michigan. The boy’s took care of everything, cooking, cleaning, and planning. It was a relaxing trip. On Saturday we snowboarded. On Sunday we tubed.

”Deer Lodge.” The cabin slept about 50.

The boy’s cooking pancakes.

New Years

2009-01-11T17:13:00.000-08:00

This year for new years we decided to stay home and have friends over. It was fun night.

North for Christmas

2009-01-11T16:41:00.000-08:00

The Third leg of our Christmas travels was up north to Mom and Lou’s house. It was nice to see them and celebrate Christmas with them.

There are a few pictures of the woods as well on my personal blog ( www.coreysplayground.com )

Christmas in Dowagiac

2009-01-11T16:32:00.001-08:00

Our second stop for Christmas this year was Amy’s parents Pat and George

Even the deer visited

Christmas at home

2009-01-11T16:19:00.001-08:00

For Christmas Eve we went to church and then had my dad and Sharon over. It was a nice evening. In the morning we opened presents and headed for Amy’s folks. Santa was good to the kids this year.
Jimmy and the kids

Trimming the tree

Thank you Aunt Chris

Serena and her new Christmas sweater (but I realy think she wanted a cat for Christmas)

Hailey playing webkins with her new animals

Hailey Joins Brownies

2009-01-11T16:15:00.000-08:00

A few pictures from the introductory ceremony for Hailey into the brownies.

Turkey Day at G-Ma's

2008-12-06T17:15:00.000-08:00

For Thanksgiving this year, we headed north, thru the woods, to grandmothers house. We were blessed with lots of snow. There was over a foot on the ground when we arrived and it just kept coming.

Ma’s driveway.

Check out the snow on the sugar shack. Just 4 more months until syrup season.

Shadow is a little crazy about snow. He likes to bark at it until it falls.

The kids enjoyed playing with their big cousin “Jimbo.”

The annual sledding out back.

The ski hill is only a few miles away.

Nathan's School Show

2008-11-23T12:24:00.001-08:00

Novi Meadows (Nathan’s School) put on a musical titled “What Do You Stand For”. It included, singing, dancing, instrumentals, gymnastics and cheer leading. The kids all worked hard and it really showed. It was there first time to perform on the big high school stage. It was a fun night.

Max and Savanna Visit

2008-11-23T12:14:00.000-08:00

This week our friends Erik and Erin went to Mexico. So, we helped out by sitting Max and Savanna. The dogs were very well behaved guests. I think Sam was even happy to visit with his old friends. It also happened that over the weekend we got our first real snow fall.

Halloween

2008-11-04T16:00:00.000-08:00

This year for Halloween the kids got to go our with their friends in the new “hood”

Hailey was Mitchy from Camp Rock. (But I didn’t need to tell that to the Disney teen crowed)

Nathan was the classic Indiana Jones.

Hanna Montana Pary

2008-10-09T18:18:00.000-07:00

Hailey had a Hanna Montana birthday party. She had kids from her new neighbor hood and old neighborhood. They all got along well.

Dancing..

More Hanna Montana..

Presents… Thank you to every one that came. It realy made Hailey's party special.

Hailey's Birthay with the Family

2008-10-09T18:11:00.000-07:00

For Hailey’s Actual B-day we had Grandpa Clair, Grandma Sharon, Grandpa George and Grandma Pat over. We bought Hailey a purple bike. Notice Hailey’s shirt matches her cake. I think we all know what she is in to.

Even Sam hung out with us

Dairy Open House

2008-10-07T17:36:00.001-07:00

It was a nice early fall week end when we visited grandma and grandpa up north. It was still a little early for the leaves to turn, but the weather was perfect. We spent Saturday at a local dairy that sells Mom and Lou’s syrup. Since they were having an open house we helped them out at there booth selling there products. I love maple syrup, but it is obvious most people do.

After we got home for the evening we celebrated Amy and Hailey's B-days with Grandma Diane and Grandpa Lou

Hailey’s fist B-day cake.

Brian and Amanda's Wedding

2008-09-23T19:27:00.000-07:00

Amy’s Bro Brian married his fiancé Amanda this week end. They got hitched at Owens’s Mill, a cute collection of turn of the century buildings and farm. It had the atmospheres of “Little House on the Prairie”. Out door weddings are risky, especially in a Michigan Fall, but every thing went perfect, including the weather. We are soooo happy for them.

There are three groups of pictures, first the rehearsal dinner, the wedding day and then some after brunch at the hotel on Sunday. The whole weekend was enjoyable.

The Happy couple.

What can I say…. I like cats.

Flower girls are cute.

Nate and his Grandpa.

First Day of School

2008-09-23T19:25:00.001-07:00

Another year, another school. The kids are off for another school year. I am very glad to see, they are excited.

Hailey Cheerleading

2008-09-23T19:21:00.000-07:00

After moving in, Hailey entered a little girl's cheer leading clinic with the big high school girls. At the end of the clinic, she got to cheer for the first half of the football game. The weather was perfect, and it made for a nice evening.

The Ox Roast

2008-09-23T19:17:00.000-07:00

This year Nolan, Nathan and I pulled at the Lawrence Ox Roast. We dominated and took first second and third. Nathan got top ranking this year. I think he might be in trouble when George is in better health next year.

I am thinking of starting a new career.

The Return of Sam

2008-09-23T19:14:00.000-07:00

Now that we are back in a house. Erik and Erin returned the fifth member of our family. Sam is a 5 year old tom cat with attitude (and a weight problem). But we love him none the less.

New House!!!!

2008-09-23T19:07:00.001-07:00

Finally we get a house!!!! We are ready to settle down for awhile. We spent the morning closing, and then in the afternoon we went over for a swim. The following weekend Granma Sharon and Grandpa Clair visited for a cook out. I think we are going to like pool ownership.

Me and the kids pulling out the "For Sale" sign.

Amy has the keys.

The first swim.

I think Hailey is at home here!!

Great Grandma Ducklow

2008-09-23T19:00:00.000-07:00

Grandma was headed with Uncle Jerry and Aunt Alice on a camping trip in northern Michigan. Unfortunately it was on the same date Amy and I were to close on the new house. So we decided to meet them in Grand Rapids for the after noon. The hotel they were staying at had a nice water slide. The kids made good use of it.

Uncle Jerry and Aunt Alice. Thanks for setting this all up!!!

Grandma's secret to long life…. Do The Dew!!

Greanfeild Village with Mom and the Kids

2008-09-23T18:52:00.000-07:00

Mom came down to visit us. For the day we took the kids to Greenfield Village. I think it is Nathan's Favorite place. Where else can you see the Wright brothers and Tomas Edison's work shops? It is truly inspiring.

Edison's Laboratory!! This is where the light bulb and countless other things were invented.

The kids making there own candles from bees wax.

Nathan's B-Day

2008-09-23T18:50:00.000-07:00

This year Nate celebrated his 11th birthday at Grandma Pat and Grandpa George's house. What a big kid!!

Welcome Home Pary

2008-09-23T18:40:00.000-07:00

Patty and Rob got the old neighborhood (and a few co-workers) together to welcome us home. We were excited to see everyone. We do miss the old neighbor hood. Thanks guys!!! We really had a good time, and I do think every one else did too!!

I definitely miss my old fire pit!!! But it is good to see Rob putting it to good use.

4th of July

2008-09-23T18:35:00.001-07:00

The first week of July is a wonderful time to return home to the U.S. Our first outing was to Greenfield Village to watch 4th of July fireworks and hear the DSO (Detroit Symphony Orchestra) Play. It was a nice outing with Grandpa Clair and Grandma Sharron.

Hanauma Bay

2008-08-13T17:52:00.000-07:00

We spent the afternoon snorkling at Hanauma Bay. This was our first oportunity to swim with sea turtles.

What a nice beach

Waikiki Beach

2008-08-03T16:20:00.000-07:00

We stayed at the Sheraton in the middle of Waikiki Beach. It was the perfect location.

The view from the room.

The hotel bumped us up to ocean view. We could not have asked for anything more.

You could watch the sea turtles from the room.

Hailey hanging loose.

The beach at night.

Dinner at the Hard Rock.

Luau

2008-08-03T15:59:00.001-07:00

I think an authentic Hawaiian Luau was top of Amy's to do list on this vacation.

Amy's new dress…. I like it :)

Nathan getting his cool sea turtle.

Hailey getting her beautiful butterfly.

Uhhh…..Don't ask….

Hmmm Pork…

Check out the floating drink??? I really didn't drink that much…. I swear..

The kids both meet friends to play with for the night.

This was our only night on the west side of Oahu, so this was our only sunset. It was a good one.

Leaving the hotel.. All dressed for the occasion.

Hawaii or Bust

2008-08-03T15:43:00.000-07:00

With Japan now behind us, it is time to start a new blog. One adventure down….Who knows how many to go??

Our last COMPAI!!! in Japan.

Joey, do you like movies about gladiators?