Michigan

We had a lot of fun on our trip to Michigan, even though it took 2 days in a car either way.  But they had lots to do

 During the we we were there, Erin played Rock Band with her uncles

 we went to a lake

 Allison discovered blueberries

 We visited Frankenmuth, MI, home of Bronner's CHRISTmas Wonderland (yes, they add that empasis)

 Played in the kiddie pool (it was so humid it fogged my camera!)

 Did some fireworks

 Went to a children's museum

  Hung out with Grandma and Grandpa (Patrick wasn't happy about the whole picture idea)

 Went to Matt's high school Brian's party

 And then made the trek back home.

It was a really fun trip, but really exhausting!

Happy birthday Erin!

We had a good day.  We made cupcakes in the morning...

Then for dinner we had friends over for pizza and (cup)cake

And presents of course

Erin is so excited to be 5!

Catching up on the last month

Here's a few fun pictures from the last month

Cora's birthday

I can't believe it's been 6 years.  Now that Erin is beginning to understand a bit more, she's been the driving force of most of Cora's birthday celebration the past couple years.  This year was no different.  She has been talking about Cora's birthday for a couple weeks now, and today as we were out grocery shopping, she was telling everyone, which was a bit difficult for me when people would say "Oh, is Cora your sister? Is she in school?"

Luckily our butterflies all emerged, so we were able to release them all today. And the weather was good, unlike last year, so we got to actually release them on her birthday.

 We then went out to eat, at Noodles and Company.  They've got the best mac & cheese ever.

Noodles & Company is right next to Build-a-bear, and Erin informed me that Cora needed one like the rest of them had.  Erin chose a rainbow bear, which nearly made me tear up.  In the pregnancy loss communities online, a "rainbow" baby is one that follows a loss, just as a rainbow follows a storm, bringing color back into the world.

After that we came home for Cora's cake.  I almost didn't do it this year (I've been eating an awful lot of junk this week).  Erin wouldn't let me not, though, so we bought a little personal cake.  And of course, Erin had to blow out the candle for Cora.

All in all it was a good day.  I miss Cora a lot (I'm snuggling her bear right now), so I'm always glad to be able to do things to remember her.