UT-->MI: Kandy & Dave Visit

We went to the airport to head back to Michigan.  Scarlett told me: "I have good news and bad news.  Good news: that I get to see my dad.  Bad news: that I will miss my Aunt Jami."

Kandy and Dave flew with me and the girls home.  Kandy took them for a stroll before boarding - Jaide wanted to take a turn holding the leashes - haha!  When they said "now boarding people needing assistance or those with small children" I swear that the entire terminal turned and looked at us!

At one point all the kids wanted Aunt Kandy and Uncle Dave.  I stretched out my legs and enjoyed several minutes of uninterrupted UmiZoomi.  

The twirls wouldn't fall asleep, but they were cute with their puppies - giving each other kisses.

All the kids fit in the back of the van ;-)  Uncle Dave asked Scarlett should we give Marshall (her stuffed puppy) some dinner?  Scarlett said "Marshall made of cotton and string silly, he doesn't eat food."  haha!  Silly Uncle Dave.

We took a tour of the Henry Ford Rouge Factory.  They take you on a bus ride to get there - the girls loved sitting in big kids seats!  During the end of the actual factory tour all the girls were screaming (in their defense, it was past nap time and they were still trying to adjust to EST).  Luckily we were pulling our wagon, so I loaded them up and took them out in the lobby to wait while Kandy and Dave finished.  We were eating snacks and a cleaning lady came and asked if the vending machine snacks that were unopened on the table were ours.  We said no, she said, well you should take them.  Free candy!

At the gift shop they had this cool car.  The twirls were enamored with the my-size-vehicle.

In front of the F150 (that's what the factory builds).

On Saturday we decided to go to Canada for lunch.  To cross the from Detroit to Windsor we took the tunnel under the river.  I told them about this before our trip so Kandy and Dave brought their passports.  Jake and I have "enhance driver's licenses" that we can use to cross the US border by land or sea.  The girls only needed their birth certificates to cross the Canadian border.

We went to this awesome car-themed restaurant.  We got a side of poutine with our hamburgers.  It's a Canadian classic: french fries, cheese curds, and gravy.  It was alright, not something I'll miss.  While we were waiting for our meal our girls were being crazy.  They blew through another nap time and were still adjusting to their new beds and time zone.  They were just having a rough time.  Hungry, tired, out of sorts.  There was only one other couple in there eating at the same time as us.  It was an old man and woman.  At one point when our food came out Siena was still having a fit.  Jake took her outside to sit on the bench while I ate, then I went and switched with him.  Well the old Canadian couple left while Jake was outside.  When I went out there he said that they said to him: "Bummer that your food's going to be cold.  When my kids were young we got compliments on how well behaved they were."  How passive aggressive!  Just love that Canadian kindness!  I think it's one thing if you're letting your kids run wild and not caring, but if you're trying everything in your power, then obviously the kid is just having a rough day.  I wish I was outside cause I would have said "I hope when I'm old as you that I only remember the good days like you do."  Ok, I probably wouldn't say that.  Maybe 5 years ago I would have (I used to pride myself on being able to think of come backs on the spot).  But I realized that saying those things doesn't bring kindness.  And it won't change the person.  So really it does no good.  In fact, I feel better about myself when I hold my tongue - and trust me, I hold my tongue!

We found this cool park right next to the river.  After hanging out for a bit, Jake dropped Kandy and I off at the Caesars Casino.  We wanted to go in the gift shop and find a little souvenir.  We walked in and there were security guards.  They asked what we were doing and they were super jovial.  One then turned to me and said "I have to ask, how old are you?"  I was totally caught off guard and stuttered "...uh...29" they he said "sorry, I'm going to have to see your ID."  haha!  Yes, I would need to see mine too.  But then we made it through and got cute little maple leaf things.  We went outside and I tried to call Jake to tell him we were ready.  BLAST!  My phone didn't work over there!  I didn't ever think about that!  Luckily we had chatted about where they were going to park and wait so Kandy and I were able to find them quickly.

On the way home we took the Ambassador Bridge.  You can see Detroit on the left of the river and Windsor on the right.  When we got to Border Patrol Jake had to roll down the windows so he could ask everyone a question.  When he got to me (sitting in the very back middle seat between Siena and Scarlett) he said "ok, let's see your hair."  haha!  So I turned my head around and he said "You're rocking that."  haha!  Thanks Border Patrol!

One night we went outside to look at Fireflies/Lightning Bugs.  Jake was telling Kandy that they are actually easy to catch cause they fly slowly.  So we got the kids' bug nets and went a huntin'.  Kandy was an animal!  She caught a ton that night.

Ironically they are neither bugs nor flies - they are actually in the beetle family.

Here's a video of the fireflies showing us their mating call:

Kandy and Dave have been visiting major league baseball fields across the country - we couldn't let them leave MI without a trip to the Comerica Park, Home of the Detroit Tigers.

We had a wonderful evening and our girls were fantastic for my friend Emily.  She sent me this as proof:  I love their cheesy smiles!  She even did bath time and bed time!  LOVE HER!!!

Kandy gave Scarlett her very first haircut, so we decided to continue with tradition.  We woke up early before their flight and Kandy got to cuttin'.

Jaide (her hair is curlier):

Siena (her hair is thicker):

Scarlett (look how long it is!):

Just hanging out.  Scarlett told me "Mom, you should ask dad very nice to have some of his money."  haha!  Funny that she thinks he has control of my spending!  ;-)

We were so glad to have Aunt Kandy and Uncle Dave visit (the tears were due to being overtired and hungry).

When the girls and I dropped them off at the airport Scarlett started bawling.  I asked her what was wrong, she said "It is so rough when they leave."  Poor girl.  I agree!  We need you to come back soon!!!