Glen Arbor… on a Sunday!

Lisa August 16, 2009 2Comments

Dear Mom and Dad,  Yea, I love this lens cap thingy, it is one of my very favorite ‘toy’s’ if you can believe it.   I chomp on it when ever Nana brings out Mr. Nikon… which is often as you know.  But I love it and have fun with it!

Today is Sunday.  I love Sunday’s here in the north as much as I do back at camp.  As a matter of fact, the past few days have been like SUNDAY since all the campers are with me ALL DAY LONG.  They have played with me, and we have worked so hard on crawling.   The CRAWLING toy daddy sent me, is so awesome.   I really like playing in it.   There are things along the way to touch and squeeze and shake.  I love it.  

Today we could not get much done since everything is closed for the trailer/truck rental place that Nana has to get to move some stuff for Great Grandma Sally, so we just enjoyed Glen Arbor, Michigan.   It is in the little pinky of the ‘Mitten State’.   There is water every where mixed with green trees and wild flowers, sand dunes and deer!   Yes, Nana spotted a deer just a few feet from us.  Poppy took me out in my little car, and I was …. adorable.

We walked and saw the sights…

I guess I should say Poppy walked and I sat back and enjoyed the ride…

Like a Princess on a float in a parade…

Hey let’s see if I have it …

you know the Princess wave…

Here how about this….

I AM THE CUTEST THING EVER…. OR AT LEAST THATS WHAT ALL THE CAMPERS HERE SAY…

Yea,  I got it!   I definately have IT.   Princess Guillianna… what do you think mom and dad….

I spent time with my ‘learning toys’ today here I am trying to figure one out…

I know what will help me…

Now I can concentrate on those ABC’s.

I had a great day today.  I am now taking my tummy medicince twice a day and eating two meals and a fruit snack per day with little or no trouble. 

Since Nana brought almost everything under the sun from camp, it seems like I am at camp, she has the same bedding for my bed, a crib not the pack-n-play.  Even my music box/mobile from the crib because yes, I am a little bit particular.  I am just beginning my phase of ‘liking familiar things’.   Usually I go to sleep at night listening to Neil Diamond, yes mom, that is true, NEIL DIAMOND, a Nana thing you may not be so happy about when you come home, or maybe I will outgrow… because she left the Neil Diamond CD at camp.   LUCKY FOR ALL THE CAMPERS, we have iTunes.   Uncle Nick had to download the song onto his iPhone, and plays it for me when I go to bed.   It’s Neil Diamond and Dolly Parton singing ‘You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling’ !   GO FIGURE, who knew it would grow on me so…. and now… Uncle Nick jokes that my first words will be …. ‘YOU NEVER CLOSE YOUR EYES ANYMORE…. ha!

I have all the comforts of camp though to be sure, and am truly loving my field trip.   I am such a good little camper!  Until tomorrow, please know I love you both very much and as always I am your LITTLE MISS ADORABLE, your daughter,

Guillianna!

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!