We made it into MI late that night, just about 600 miles. We headed over to the Foster’s house. They are like second parents to me. Mr. Foster and my dad have been friends since young teen years and Mrs. Foster has been there just as long. We always spend some time with them. They have a beautiful spread out in rural MI. A few acres with a flowing stream cutting across it, a nice home and a HUGE garage where we spend most of our time. Mr. Foster had just had surgery on his hand so he was home the entire time we were there. Their youngest daughter was there too. She was just about to start her senior year of college and was spending a few days at home. It was so nice see them. We just hung out and relaxed.
We met up with my dad the next day. He had car problems that stopped his progress from AZ to MI. Luckily they made it just short of their final destination. So Mrs. Foster and I grab some of Mr. Foster’s tools and headed off to help my dad and step-mom. By the time we got there someone else had stopped to help out. My dad had neck surgery the year before and here he is under his car trying to drop the fuel tank. I swear to you I want to smack him! With all of us helping we were able to drop the tank, replace the fuel filter/pump and raise the tank again. Oh did I forget to mention this is at a gas station parking lot and my dad had just filled up his gas tank. Of course it always could be worse. There could have been a heat wave floating through MI at the time of our visit…oh wait there was one. Well we got it done and headed to eat. Wouldn’t ya know it there was a Bob Evan’s on the way back to the Foster’s.
We made the trip to my grandparents to see how they were doing. We got lucky at the beginning of the year when we went to AZ to drop off my Jeep. They were there so we got to see them twice this year. I have a huge family in MI. My dad is 1 of 10 kids and of course everyone has married and had children. My family is a little sick and twisted and if you can’t take a joke you might not wanna come over. Sarcasm is a prerequisite to join the family. Now you see why Brad fits in just right. Montgomery and Gentry have a Xmas song that paints the picture perfectly Brad says.
This year the family reunion started at a bowling alley. There’s nothing like a bunch of Benkerts invading a bowling alley. We all look the same (all 10 kids have brown hair and blue eyes) and have A LOT of kids between us. So here are all these hillbillies bowling. It’s amazing we are all in shoes!
I am blessed to have the craziest family. My children are never at a loss for people to talk to or play with and Zac can build ANYTHING with the supplies at my uncle Bruce’s. My aunts have creative ways to play games and have fun toys for the kids. This year all the kids got screaming, flying monkeys! Yep, you heard me right, screaming flying monkeys. You pull their sling shot arms back as far as you can, aim at your target and let it fly. Through the air sails a streak of brown fur until it hits something and then you hear a LOUD shrieking scream from this thing. Lotta fun for another 5000 miles in an itty bitty car! I will find revenge ladies. Just you wait and see.
So we spent a week in between the Foster’s and my grandparents. Got some great photos of the MI scenery, just wish I had a better camera. Brad, listening??? HINT...HINT....
My grandparents live right next to Lake Michigan so one of the days we drove to the beach and walked around. We walked through the museum of transportation. There were so many amazing model ships. They were so small, but had every little detail. Talk about patience. The kids got to do some swimming and build sand castles.
I am trying to plan my return trip home. Not being accompanied by Brad I am only allowed to fly from any base going straight to Elmendorf. Most flights out of the Midwest are not heading straight to AK, so the plan is to try and head to CA where the most flights going directly to AK originate.
We say good bye to my family and the Foster’s. My dad heads out with us as he is our ride to AZ.
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