Alpena, MI & Chicago, IL

Hey everyone!

We just got back from our annual trip to my hometown, Alpena Michigan! This year was a little different than most years, because Madi's sister came along for the journey! The trip also started off differently as we moved our whole apartment, u-haul with Madi's car in tow and two full cars, up to our new home in Durham, North Carolina. It was quite the journey. After unpacking for three days we drove from NC to MI and spent eight days showing Sondra the ropes around Alpena. We spent a lot of our time relaxing, but we also did a lot of the things we typically do when we travel to Michigan. Some of those things are hiking to Misery Inn, paddle wheel boats, golfing at Lee's, walking the point every night, and playing beach croquet! This year we enjoyed some new activities including a painting class with my Grandma as well as canoeing to the marina and back (what a workout). We managed to flip the canoe in only three seconds. At least we killed all of the spiders that had been living in there all spring!

We headed west to give Sondra a tour of my favorite big city in the world: Chicago! We spent three days there going to Navy Pier, the Watertowers, Millenium Park, Buckingham Fountain, and shopping of course! The best part was our first night when they had a firework show off of the Navy Pier which was so gorgeous. Fireworks are one of my favorite things! We ate at a lot of chain restaurants but we want a list from people of the best places to go in Chicago for the next time we go back! If you have any let me know!! Friday night was my cousin's wedding and we had a blast. It is so fun re-connecting with family and getting to spend time together especially with us moving away from everyone so soon!

Now I am back in Florida, graduating from Residency tomorrow and Madi is in North Carolina starting orientation tomorrow. We can't wait to be in one place together after Labor Day! I also can't wait to show pictures of our new apartment when it is complete. It is beautiful! It may take a little while but we got a lot of work done in the three days we spent in NC thanks to our moms and Sondra.

Our next big trip won't be until December, when we travel back to one of our favorite spots: Deep Creek, Maryland to ring in the new year! For now we will just be enjoying our time together as the craziness of school starts next week for Madi and I will keep sending job applications (prayers please :) ).

Thanks for keeping up!
- Olivia :)