Because I Am Free

Lisa August 15, 2009 6Comments

Dear Mom and Dad,

I am writing today to say THANK YOU.   Thank you to all the service men and women, who have sacrificed so much for the freedom we are able to enjoy.  

Nana has used this site to tell you about every day of my life and to let you see me, but today, as she and I looked around us, it was clear just how wonderful our lives are, how much we have because of our freedom, and the amazing things that being here, on this planet, as human beings… allows us to experience.  

I know that both of my parents, would like to be on beaches of sand – not a desert of sand.  I know they would like to be here, with me, and instead are fulfilling a promise they made long before I ever came to be.   BUT I APPRECIATE IT ALL AND SO DO ALL THE REST OF THE CAMPERS .  There is not one of us who did not think  about how much we wanted you here with us.   The whole family together!   None of us can wait  for the day you return and we are all able to enjoy the blessing of the freedom we have.   IN EVERY PERSON WE SAW… IN EVERY ACTIVITY BEING ENJOYED,  EVERY BREATHTAKING VIEW TAKEN IN,  EVERY SPLASH IN THE WATER, YOU CAN SEE THE FACE OF FREEDOM AND OF DEMOCRACY.    Many of these people work 40 plus hours a week, every week, for a year or longer to afford an opportunity to enjoy a summer break.   This PLACE, was a summer place for Nana and her family for more than 50 years.  How lucky she was.   How truly lucky.   You will see why  –  Looking down the beach of Lake Michigan…families, couples, individuals, enjoy a bit of freedom…

Up here is where Nana used to vacation with her mom and dad, they worked very hard every day of every week to bring their children up to Northern Michigan to play in and climb on sand dunes.   To swim and to spend time in a cottage.   This year, the cottage is gone and has been the reason for the trips here lately,  her brother had been living here, and now cannot.   Today Nana shared with all the campers places and things she used to do as a child.   I won’t remember any of this, but Nana hopes that the photos, and stories will be passed on to me, she says her Mom, Great Grandma Sally and her Dad, who has passed,  and Grumpy now all would want all us campers to hold on to the memories and make new ones.   Well you know me, I am all for making new memories… and being the center of attention… so here I go…

Me getting ready for a swim…

and here I am in the pool with my Goldfish Mini PARTNERS…. ALL THE CAMPERS AND POPPY TOOK ME FOR A SPIN IN MY FLOATIE!

Here I go…. my little feet were kicking and kicking …. I will be a Goldfish Mini pro when I get back to my swim classes.  THEN I PUT MY FEET INTO A REALLY COLD LITTLE FOUNTAIN FOR BABY FEET…. WOW….

I am having a nice visit up at Grandma Sally’s old home… and here are more photos of the scenery… there are trees and vacation homes everywhere.   Mostly there is blue water, and happy faces.  

Nana  says Grandma Sally now lives in the Pacific Northwest, and she tells Nana, that where she lives now is even more beautiful, and she is so happy to be with Grumpy there…. so, we plan on taking a trip to see.   Poppy and Nana be traveling to see here after we finish up here, and I will go too so that Grumpy can meet me, and then WE WILL HAVE TO GIVE HIM A NEW NAME, SINCE NO ONE CAN EVER MEET ME AND STILL HAVE A NICK NAME OF ‘Grumpy’.   He will get one look at me, and everyone will be calling him SMILEY.   Great Papa and GG-ma, are holding down Camp Nana right now, but CAN YOU BELIEVE THEY ARE COMING TO SEE US TOO, they are coming and it makes Nana so happy that they will get to see where Nana spent some really happy and fun years.   Even if only briefly… she is so pleased, and excited that we are all going to have a chance to enjoy all the  places and memories Nana is always squawking about…  don’t you worry guys, the ‘black beast’ aka Mr. Nikon is sure to capture their visit.   Until then, you can check back in, and see… this face, this smile, and know… the rest of the campers and I, well we realize a few important things….

When we see, white picket fences, and shoreline of a country such as this,

We …. at least Nana , Poppy and the campers, all think ….

about soldiers, in the land of sand and elsewhere,

and hope they return to these shores, healthy, safe, and able to enjoy the freedoms that democracy brings.

I will write you tomorrow, with more of my time, and know that while I AM WAY TO LITTLE TO REMEMBER ANY OF THIS, I know mommy does, and hope it makes her smile to know, that one day she and you and I…. we will walk these shores, look for Petosky stones, and enjoy the scenery together.   I love you both very much, and am very much enjoying my stay at camp.  Everyone loves on me, and to be honest, I am every campers favorite… if there were an award for MOST POPULAR CAMPER, OR MISS CONGENIALITY at Camp Nana, I WOULD MOST DEFINATELY TAKE THE PRIZE!  

Well, I will hopefully go swimming again tomorrow… if so… I’ll send more pics… until then I am as always, your Little Miss Adorable, your little swimmer…

Guillianna!   THANK YOU BOTH AND ALL THOSE SERVING WITH YOU!

Waking Up In Traverse City!

Lisa August 14, 2009 2Comments

Dear Mom and Dad,

So I close my eyes… only to find when I woke up at 9:00am this morning…YES YOU HEARD ME RIGHT, NINE AM…. I must have been tired… but I slept in to be awakened to Traverse City, and this beautiful view from our hotel window. 

Blue as can be, and just a crazy amazing view… from our room I got to see little ducks go ‘quackin’ as they passed by my balcony!

Poppy and the other campers went to play a game of miniature golf, and then we were off to a little town farther North in Great Grandma Sally’s old area, to stay for a few days.. and let’s just say it is GORGEOUS here… the ‘black beast” and Nana will have a lot of fun taking a ton of photos….

Now that you can see how pretty it is, HOWEVER…..I am ready to get to the really awesome photos of the day…. ME!

What does one part fresh air, one part sand and fun, and two parts of total cuteness all mixed together with a long car ride equal?   I’ll show you…

So tired, but who wouldn’t be after all this playing and lovin’ life!

I have a riding vehicle here too…..and let me just tell you, all the other campers got to bring one bag of stuff for the trip, me, TWO CAR LOADS!   What can I say, a princess has a lot of NECESSITIES!

We stayed in a cottage – since there are eight of us… and I cruised all over, just like the Woodward Dream Cruise… only better!  Here I AM THE ONLY CRUISER, AND I HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAY, no traffic, and scenery beyond belief!  I am off to explore, and promise to try and keep you posted as to my adventure in the North!   Please remember, I love you and as always, I am …..

Little Miss Adventurous, Little Miss Adorable, your daughter,

Guillianna!

P. S.   Thank you Ms. Betty for your lovely comment!  Have a great day!

On My Way!

Lisa August 13, 2009 0Comments

Dear Mom and Dad,

I am on my way up to Northern Michigan today, and while the car was being loaded with “stuff”, I was able to have some photo’s taken for you today.   Nana and Poppy have to take two cars to fit all the campers and THEIR stuff …. I personally plan on sleeping in the car, we are going up in the night, in an attempt for me to be most comfortable…. since my buns go numb in my car seat after a while. I am certain, it couldn’t be my stuff that is making them take so long to pack… it’s all small stuff. 

I hope you are both doing okay, I plan to see beautiful water, and even some sand… Nana says she will take a photo (or two) of me and you will be able to see me in Michigan sand, so we will all be around some sand!   You two in the land of sand and me, well I will most likely sit on a beach towel for a pose or two.   But that will be tomorrow or later in the week depending on ACCESS TO THE INTERNET, so be patient, Nana PROMISES to get photos up asap!

This is me, planning what I will do when I get up to the Northern part of Michigan, I can look at lots and lots of GREEN and lots and lots of BLUE, and being outside, which is one of my favorites, well there will be acres for the campers to stroll me on.   I am excited.

It is true that Nana will be a little sad, since her trip is a bit about problems with her brother, but if I am lucky, all I have to do is smile, and she will smile too!

Yep, I have that effect on people.   I SMILE AND THEN THEY TOO ARE SMILING!  Does it work for you mom and dad, when you see me happy do you feel happy inside, I hope so.

I love you both very much, and until tomorrow, please know I am your LITTLE MISS ADORABLE, on her way to Michigan’s water wonderland…. your daughter,

Guillianna!

No Swimming Today!

Lisa August 12, 2009 3Comments

Dear Mom and Dad,

How are you?   I am doing great.   I have been telling you of our plans to travel to Northern Michigan, and still don’t know how the wireless AT&T card will fare up there.   Last time it took over an hour to upload one photo… so you may not get too much in the way of photos while I am gone, but rest assured Nana will try.  We are packing my princess necessities today… and Nana thinks maybe she should call a moving company, because traveling light … uh, well it’s not in my vocabulary… pack-n-play, formula, bottles and liners, baby food, diapers, wipes, toys… more toys, favorite blankey’s, favorite music box, toys, …. did I mention toys?  Yes, preparing for a field trip from camp takes a lot of planning.   So today she is packing… and preparing, and thinking of a bazillion things!  I say, dont’ stress Nana, I am cool and I am easy… Just don’t forget my ‘bob’, my passy, or my toys, and well a few other things that make me happy and I will roll with it…

Today, I am not going to Goldfish Mini class, I hope my friends don’t miss me too much.   We have conflicts in our schedule for today and next Wednesday, but I will be back… in two weeks, so keep my part of the pond ready!   I hope to sneak in some practice swims when I am away with Nana and Poppy, but we will see.  It is still sad for Nana to go there because of all the problems with her brother, (so sad) and Great Grandma’s sale of the family property, (even more sad).   But I plan on making her forget all about it by keeping her very busy…. with my princess needs, and princess smiles!  No worries, THAT IS WHAT A PRINCESS DOES!  Fellow Mini’s…. I WILL MISS YOU, BUT MY GMP (Goldfish Mini Partner) and I will be there to play soon.  

Speaking of smiles, how do you feel about today’s photos…

I spent some time in the morning just playing and letting the sunshine down on me…. thinking about how we are both still in the same sunshine, even if miles apart.

I woke up so happy today, and was just hanging out at camp with all the animals thinking about “baby stuff”. 

I took some cute photos in my jammers…. and worked hard at practicing muscle control… so that I will be crawling soon…

I am too cute!   Aren’t I?

The sun was shining into MY GUILLIANNA PLAY ROOM, and I was all smiles…

Can you see that I was talking here…telling Nana, to point Mr. Nikon my direction and let’s send mom and dad some princess cute photos.

And look what we ended up with!

Still chewing and gnawing on everything… maybe more teeth on the way, who knows?

What I do know is, this face, this look, says

TROUBLE

with a capital ‘T’

does it not?

Do you want to see what my face looks like when I am mad or don’t get my way.

But it is usually replaced in a NANA SECOND which is like a mili-second…only faster…and even faster than a Nano-second…. I can be a smiling baby!  A NANA SECOND IS HOW LONG IT TAKES NANA TO DO FOR ME, OR GET FOR ME WHAT EVER IT IS I AM AFTER… she’s getting better at that and quicker every day…. not that I have her …”wrapped around my little finger” or anything….  (hee hee)

As always, mom and dad, I hope you enjoyed my morning sunshine photos, and my many faces…. please know that Iam your Little Miss Adorable, your daughter,

Guillianna!   Oh, and while Nana had out Mr. Nikon AKA ‘the black beast’, our friend, Mr. Griff, also known as LITTLE MR. BIG HEAD SAID HE WANTED IN ON THE SUNSHINE PHOTO OP…. SO HERE HE IS TO SAY HI TO YOU…