South Lake Drive

Monday morning was the funeral service for Uncle Jack. It was a sad service but very beautiful. Uncle Jack was in the service, so after mass was over we went to the back of the church for the presenting of the flag to Aunt MaryAnn. The servicemen then went outside and did the gun salute and then played taps. That was so emotional. Luckily the loud gunfire didn't scare Madison. Next we went to a nearby hall for a luncheon. At the church and luncheon we were able to see some of my mom's family...Uncle Bob, Aunt Margaret and their four grown sons. It was nice getting to see them and chat with them at the lunch. After we ate, we headed back towards my grandma's house, but on the way we took a detour to see where my mom grew up. I had been there several times before but it had been 9 years, and my mom likes to go back to her old house whenever she is up there.

My mom was born in Detroit and lived most of her life in Newport, MI on South Lake Drive right on Lake Erie, so that was the first place we stopped on our tour. Madison was asleep for most of the tour, so she didn't get to see it. After seeing my mom's old house, she took us to a few other memorable places like where Uncle Jack lived on the weekends before he married Aunt MaryAnn.

My mom standing with her old street sign. She lived on S Lake Dr most of her childhood. Behind her is a field/park and then there is Lake Erie.

Looking down her street from the street sign. Her old house is the third one down, the tan/brown one.

The lake was frozen, but it looked like there were waved in it. My mom said as it freezes it will sometimes break and crash and form what looks like waves. My mom used to ice skate out there when she was a kid!We didn't walk out there because Madison was asleep and I didn't have on proper shoes.

My mom's childhood home!

Once we got back to Great Grandma's we had to get back in the car and drive down to Toledo, Ohio to have dinner at Aunt Vicki's house. Her husband Rex (whom I had never met before) is famous for his tacos, and they did not disappoint. My cousin Amy also came over with her family.  Amy's dad Mark is my dad's brother. I had not seen her since my Grandpa's funeral either. We had a fun evening together catching up and enjoying some yummy tacos! Madison was the star of the show. She has us all laughing so hard!

Madison giving Amy some kisses.

 Madison with Jared, Amy's oldest son.

Chuck and Amy. So glad they could drive down and see us while we were in town!

 Jared (11), Connor (7), Nolan (5), Katlyne and Madison.

 They were watching Lilo and Stitch.

Amy and I

 The girls.

 The Cousins.

Madison and Aunt Vicki.