Michigan and the Burkett Family

After leaving Chicago, we went to Temperance, Michigan where Jason's grandmother and several of his aunts and uncles live.  Not only did we get to see the ones who live there, but two others were in town visiting at the same time we were, so it was a big reunion!  Jason's dad is the 5th of 12 children.  Kyran and Karyssa had met most of them, but never their great-grandmother, so we were very excited about this part of the trip. 

We stayed at Jason's Uncle Dan and Aunt Becky's house, where they have converted their garage into a little apartment.  It was great to have so much room, and they were amazing hosts!  First, they had animals.  I don't just mean cats and dogs (although they do have 5 dogs and about 12 cats).  They also have miniature horses, goats, chickens, and a donkey.  Their neighbors down the street had a menagerie.  Take a look!

That little white lump next to the deer is a Wallaby...yes, a wallaby!

They also had all kinds of edible treats for the kids, and had even gone and bought water colors for them to paint pictures for their great-grandmother.  Look at their masterpieces!

Karyssa's

Kyran's

They chose their own colors, and you can definitely tell the difference between our girl and our boy!


Danny and Becky also took us to a great playground!

Riding the alligator with a new friend

Kyran wanted to ride too!

Motorcycle man!

Our little monkeys

They both made it all the way up several times!

They loved meeting their Great-Grandma Burkett and playing at her house, the same house where she gave birth to Granddad Burkett and several of his siblings.  They painted and played Hide and Seek with their great-aunts. 

Painting their masterpieces with Aunt Becky

Ready or not...here we come!

On our last morning there, we all met for breakfast at a cute little diner with delicious food.  They even had Mickey Mouse pancakes for the kids!

Most of the crew at the diner

Front row: Becky, Dan, Maude, Connie, Nick

Back row: Gary, Kyran, Jason, Talyse, Karyssa, Janet

Shortly after our trip, Grandma Burkett fell and was hurt.  She is recuperating at a health center in Michigan, and then will be relocating to Tennessee.  Please keep her in your prayers. 

Aunt Connie

Aunt Becky and Uncle Dan

The trip home was bittersweet.  We knew we would miss our family, but were all looking forward to sleeping in our own beds!  The kids' favorite part of the ride home were the tunnels! 

Smiling in the tunnel!