Vacation: Rochester Hills, Michigan (6/17/09-6/20/09)

Rochester Hills, Michigan

On the third day of our family vacation we drove east to the Detroit suburb of Rochester Hills. We stopped off in Auburn Hills at the Palace (where the Detroit Pistons play). Logan was thankful!

It has been many years since we last saw the Justice Family (I believe it was 2003!). Jim and Don worked together at Lutheran East. Don & Amy have three sons: Andy is 11 months older than Brett, Mike is 10, and Jake Justice (Rescue Heroes comes to mind!) is 7. They were kind enough to have their house of five grow to a house of ten for three nights.

The kids played basketball, soccer,

video games, and watched TV. Katherine (our daredevil) climbed a ladder to swing from a rope, and then she went bike riding with Jake.

They got along very well together. Jim & I introduced Amy to Whole Foods and Trader Joe's.

*Jim and Amy with the dark chocolate bar

Thursday, we spent Don & Amy's anniversary in Frankenmuth. We did some shopping at Bronner's (the world's largest Christmas store). Then we walked to the Silent Night Chapel. It is a replica of the one in Germany. http://www.bronners.com/silentnightchapel.html

We walked around the downtown area, visiting many shops and sampling fudge, salt water taffy, and cheese. After lunch at Tiffany's, the kids went to a house of mirrors.

Then it was time to head "home".

Katherine got her hair French-braided by Amy. Don went to work for a while, and we relaxed at the house. The Justices have a cat named Tito. I lovingly referred to it as "Fat Louey" like the cat in Princess Diaries. Amazingly enough, Jim did not have a single allergic reaction the whole time we were there. They have an air purifier that must work very well.

Saturday morning Don made breakfast for us. Water bottles were filled, the van was packed, and it was time for our good-byes. It was so nice visiting with old friends.

On our way out of Michigan we stopped at the old Tiger Stadium, Comerica Park, and Ford Field.