7 Months & Belleville

Elaine turned 7 months old while we were in Holland. But she spent most of this month of life in Belleville, IL where we enjoyed the last few weeks of our midwestern stay in Winnie and Picky's house. Here are a few pictures from the big 7 month birthday.

 "I'm Gonna Eat You!"

Facknitz Family Tours Michigan!

(Written by Jeremy Facknitz)

   Jeremy had always dreamed of taking his young family on a trip around his home state, Michigan. With the move to Colorado complete but still some unfinished business to attend to in St. Louis, we decided this was the perfect time to go. So on Wednesday September 3rd (Happy Birthday, uncle Jarod!) we headed north to Holland, Michigan to begin our tour of the great mitten. Grandma and grandpa Facknitz were more than happy to join us!

   You can't enjoy an entire state in one trip (well, maybe Rhode Island) but Jeremy's highlights would include stops in his cute hometown of Holly as well as... um, Sterling Heights (Jeremy says it's not exactly a "Pure Michigan" destination but that's where the family lives); then fleeing north to St. Ignace and Mackinac Island; then on to the small town of Paradise on Whitefish Bay in the U.P. followed by very cherry Traverse City and Sleeping Bear dunes and closing with the drive south on 31 back down to Holland for a week to sit still and recover from fudge overdose and detox from delicious cans (yes, cans) of Widow Maker. 

   We were worried Elaine wouldn't handle the trip so well, since she's showed us nothing less than absolute disdain for automobile travel. But as they say, babies are adaptable... by day 3, she was a pro.

Daddy Games In The Car

  Holly was wonderful. We stayed at Holly Crossing bed and breakfast near the railroad tracks right downtown and enjoyed the local shops and antique stores. Bobbie and Dan were excellent hosts. It was in Holly where we felt our hottest temperature of the trip; 92 degrees on Friday, 9/5. We met up with friends Jason and Katy Hughes at Red Devil, home of the greatest New York style pizza west of New York.

Holly Crossing B & B

   The get together with family on Saturday, 9/6 was also wonderful. Jeremy's grandparents (all 3 remaining) were all able to attend the party at Uncle Jim and Aunt Diane's house (thank you!). Uncle Karl did a great job of cleaning all the bugs off the front of our well-traveled Prius. Elaine had a wonderful time being the center of attention with her adoring, extended family.

   Sunday 9/7 through Tuesday 9/9 we went off to St. Ignace. Located just north of the bridge, grandma Debbie found a great place right on the water. We were facing east and thanks to our little alarm clock Elaine, all three of us enjoyed some beautiful - and I mean BEAUTIFUL - sunrises. We also felt our first COOL temperatures of the season, a welcome change from the heat of summer. We may have overdressed Elaine, but she looked so cute in her sweatshirt (compliments of aunt Kara) and hat (compliments of Aunt Meg).

   We were able to make the trip by ferry to Mackinac Island on Tuesday, 9/9. It was a short stay, squeezing in the whole adventure between naps (for Elaine, not grandpa). We snapped a few pictures, had lunch, restocked our fudge and returned to the mainland.

Later that day, we made our way north to Paradise, MI on Whitefish Bay, Lake Superior. Jeremy found some great cabins 15 feet from the water, but it was a tad too rustic for Debbie who stayed with Erick at the Magnuson Hotel down the road. This was the highlight of the whole trip. 3 nights on the water and far from the touristy attractions (but with satellite TV so the 4 adults could keep an eye on the Tigers). We hunkered down as a massive cold front came through on Wednesday, 9/10. It was this day we experienced our COLDEST day of the trip, a high of 51... 41 degrees cooler than it was 5 days ago in Holly! We found ourselves bundled up like Eskimos while the locals walked around in T-shirts.

'Roughing it' at Whitefish Bay

Full-Moon Singalong on Serene Superior

The storm was powerful, splashing surf on our front door. The sea wall was destroyed and we lost power in our cabin for 4 hours, but thanks to gas heat and solid walls we were content and safe in our clean little cabin. While Elaine slept, the 4 of us quietly passed the time by playing Euchre. (Note to all: Erick and Debbie aren't nearly as sharp a team when no talking is allowed. Hmm.) When it wasn't raining we sat on the deck, played guitar, built a fire complete with wienies and s'mores and spent as much time outside in the fall weather as we could.

Elaine's Ecstatic Eatery!

   After a quick detour north to Whitefish Point it was time to head south to Traverse City. Jeremy wanted to stop here for the sand dunes and not so much the city itself, but we ended up having a wonderful time in what Jeremy calls "the Boulder of Michigan". Lindsay and Jeremy bought anniversary gifts for each other and further enjoyed having the freedom to have alone time while "Grammy and Choo-choo" happily watched Elaine.

   On Sunday, 9/14 we came "home" to the grandparents place in Holland, Michigan. There we stayed until 9/21, waiting for aunt Kara and uncle Jarod's arrival that weekend. Holland is a great little/big town to hang out in for a week, especially while staying right on the main drag in beautiful, large apartment. We walked out their door and we were 100 feet from 2 breweries, an Irish Pub, 2 candy stores and more. Here, we started getting in touch with people in Colorado; coordinating our schedules, booking gigs and students and preparing for our return to Colorado Springs.

   All in all it was a wonderful, wonderful vacation. Jeremy said he had a chance to "fall back in love with his home state." Lindsay said she had a wonderful time getting to know where Jeremy spent his childhood summers, and she looks forward to coming back. Elaine found the whole experience riveting (trust us). Grammy and Choo-choo were so thankful to have 18 days with Elaine before we move back to Colorado. It was a wonderful excursion for all!

Fun with Uncle Jarod and Aunt Kara!

What a Difference a Month Makes!

Technically, Elaine is 6 months and 10 days old in these pictures but her 6 month birthday was overshadowed by us finishing packing up our Webster Groves house. (Jeremy has officially moved our stuff back to Colorado Springs! Huzzah!)

We're continually amazed at how Elaine is changing. Her development seems to be on rapid-fire! Now, in addition to having a regular schedule, sleeping soundly, eating solids, sitting on her own, and babbling, we can now add TEETH to the list! Elaine has officially sprouted two of her bottom incisors and is gnawing away on anything she can get her hands on. Her personality and preferences are coming out as well. She now whines when you take away a toy she wants to continue playing with. She also rebells against being held in certain ways by pulling her knees up to her chest. And the dreaded 'throwing my head back in a tantrum-ie kind of way' maneuver has begun. Luckily, she continues to be a smiley, adorable, and fun baby... as long as she is not tired, hungry, or bored!

Here are two great comparison videos to see what a difference a month makes!

Talking, 5 1/2 Months (with Daddy's help)

Talking, 6 1/2 Months (all on her own)