Bed and Breakfast

This past weekend Dale and I took advantage of a Groupon Coupon for the Kingsley House Bed and Breakfast in Fennville, MI. Technically we bought it for our anniversary, but the expiration date was too soon to wait for our anniversary in June so we decided to redeem it between our birthdays.


It's a beautiful older home remodeled to serve up to eight couples.

We stayed in the room called "Jonathan". All the rooms were titled after different varieties of apples like "Golden Delicious", or "Northern Spy." This is because the B&B is right in the heart of apple orchard country.

Dale really liked having a little fireplace in the room which he actually got the room hotter than he even likes it.



A little old with the new in the bathroom











And check out the goodies that awaited us. We actually swapped out the Fennvalley Wine for Sparkling Grape Juice, and there was cheese as well that they kept refrigerated for us until we wanted it.



The beautiful sitting room and Dining area that greets you when you first walk in. On Saturday morning they served us a delicious breakfast of french toast, sausage, quiche, sweets and fruit.


We arrived rather late Friday night so had a late dinner at a local authentic Mexican restaurant and then enjoyed watching a movie from their well supplied DVD case.

After breakfast on Saturday morning we drove to South Haven and saw the South Haven Lighthouse, and walked the main street shops before heading back to Holland to watch a movie and then meet friends for dinner.

Needless to say, it was a wonderful time away. If I hadn't been fighting a cold I'm sure I would have enjoyed it more, but there is just something about getting away from your routine even if only for one night and one full day.

Thanks Babe for a great weekend.

Christi

Good Noise

Is there such a thing as "good noise?"

I would say "yes!!"

Yesterday our home was filled with "good noise" as we were so thankful to have our nephew and niece along with their three kids visiting from New York.

Add to that mix another one of our nieces and her three kids, my daughter, my sister, my parents, and Dale, of course, home for lunch.
I also had two of my day care kids in with the mix. Thankfully they slept most of the time making it very easy on me.
Thanks to my friend who popped in for two hours in the morning so I could get things done, and Marcy and Julie did ALL the work of the lunch and clean up.
So let's see...that made 8 kids five years old or younger. Whew!! Yes, it was very noisy but what a happy noise it was. I am so thankful to be a part of their life even though they live so far away.


A little drama at lunch time when the girls ALL wanted to sit next to Vivi, and NOT by a boy - poor Riley really felt left out so we let him sit at the big table. Vivi did her best to make everyone get what they wanted but it just could not work unless all three girls were sitting on the same side.


LOTS of yummy food all prepared by Marcy and Julie - Thanks girls!! it was delicious!!


A much needed nap for Elijah and daddy Brad.

Christi

Service Master

Two weeks ago as we were preparing our Sunday dinner I (Christi) inadvertently set a plastic splatter cover (the kind you use in your microwave) on the stove and then turned on the burner. I meant to turn on a back burner but... We have a flat surface range so I did not see a flame (from gas) or the bright red it turns when on. Without warning our entire main level was filled with gray/black/brownish smoke. We opened the slider and Dale ran the attic fan to carry the smoke out. The smell lingered, and although we kind of got used to it, the smell was very evident to those coming into our home. Some of the day care parents would comment and say that the kids came home with their blankets smelling like my melted plastic. That was when I realized I needed to do something about it and called Service Master.


They were "Johnny on the spot" and came out that same day. My insurance guy came out to do his mandatory check and photography and said we were covered - except for the deductible that is. Everyone was super nice and Friday was the day that they all invaded our home to get it clean.



Wow !!! does this place ever smell clean!! Two men came and cleaned cupboards, behind the stove, and removed the microwave, toaster oven and rugs to be cleaned at their company location. They also shampooed the carpet in the living room and both stairways,

and the upholstery of our new couches.



I wasn't surprised to see the difference just one swipe of his heavy duty carpet cleaning machine made on our carpet.



Don't you just love to see men do "housework?"
Another company came and completely cleaned our duct work. I am sure that this will help with my allergies as well.


Not to be out done - during the boys naps I tackled all the toys, wiping them down or washing in a tub of soapy water. I was surprised that the water didn't come out pitch black, but it was just ever so slightly gray - YEAH! At least all the germs the kids have been passing around should be wiped away. Now hopefully everyone will come back on Monday without colds and runny noses so we can nip this in the bud - I am sick of sick!

Dale - also not to be out done - borrowed a carpet cleaner machine from our friends to clean the carpet in the basement where the kids play as well as the upper level where they all take their naps. Thanks Babe for pitching in!

Christi