The Bauer Family

I would like to introduce to you Brendan's traveling companions.  They will be accompanying us on this trip and other adventures.   Meet Giraffee, elephant (Ellie) and elephant (BJ).   Giraffee was bought for Brendan one time when he was sick.  The elephants were bought when dad was in the hospital.  Brendan wanted to get dad something and picked out the elephant for him.  Then he had to have the same thing.  The elephant stayed with dad to the end.  Mom then took him home until Saturday when we left.  She told Brendan that he could take him now. This made Brendan very happy.     We started out with a good breakfast and I took off on a 23.75 mile bike ride on the North Central State Trail.  The trail runs from Gaylord, MI to Mackinaw City, MI and is 62 miles long.  I rode from the campground to Cheboygan and back.  I missed my turn off for the campground and got a little extra ride.  JJ was suppo...

So we have been looking forward to our vacation since Church Camp ended.  Work and everything has been so busy we needed the break.  We started packing Friday night and we were on the road Saturday afternoon.  We made a quick stop at Mom's and we were on the road, destination: Mackinaw City! We arrived at the Mill Creek Campground before 6pm and checked in.  Our cabin is really cool and the weather is perfect.  Very nice accommodations.  We unpacked then Michelle, Brendan and myself headed into town to pick up a few groceries.  We got back and had supper.  Then we were off to explore the campground.  My goal was to catch the sunset and see the Mighty Mac all lit up!   Almost Sunset. The Rocks and Mighty Mac  Grand Hotel  Ferry on the way in to Mackinaw City.    Mighty Mac   Didn't quite last to see the bridge completely lighted.  The mosquitos were getting pretty bad....

Sunday was the mountain bike cross country race put on by Tailwind Racing.  Midland is not really my type of race course.  Tight, twisty and technical is the best way to describe it.  I woke up at a decent time on Sunday and felt rested.  I had done most of my prep for the race on Saturday night. During the day Saturday was Scott's Graduation Party.  We had worked all day and I think the work and sun had taken a toll on me. I got to the venue with plenty of time.  Picked up my registration packet and went out to the course.  I managed to take some photos of the expert and elite racers.  I then went and got ready for the race. When I pulled the bike out of the van I discovered that the front tire had came off the rim in a small area.  I took care of that, got dressed and warmed up.   I got to the start line and was feeling good.  The start took us right up the sled hill and then into the trail.  After about a mile I f...

Another busy weekend and celebration of our country's independence.  I got a short ride in on Friday morning.  We then were preparing for a wedding.  Barb and Steve, a couple at our church were getting married and the ceremony/reception would be at Dawn and Reuben's house.  Reuben performed the ceremony and I was asked to do the photography.  This worked out great as I had purchased a used Sony DSLR camera on eBay and got to test it out.  It was a very nice ceremony and celebration with our church family and friends.   You may kiss the bride!   We then stuck around and all of us went to the fireworks at the Clio Park to cap off the evening.  We got home late and went right to bed.   I slept in a bit on Saturday morning and got up to watch the start of the Tour de France.  It was a good stage with a sprint finish and a bad crash that took Mark Cavendish out of the race.  I then ventured out on a 23 mile ride o...

Yesterday brought to a close of our True Life Covenant Youth Camp.  We had 11 campers this year and we were more organized than last year.  The kids all had a great time.  Kids Crafts     Kayak Race    Putt Putt Golf   Closing Pizza Party   We had rented a cabin this year and it made a big difference in our ability to get food ready.  It was also right on the lake so the littlest one's could fish and we could still watch them.  All in all a great camp.   I also managed to get some training miles in for Ore 2 Shore.  I brought the fat bike down and rode four days.  The last ride I got 21.5 miles in.  Training will continue this week, hopefully JJ will get out with me.   Our next event will be Scottie's graduation party!  Stay tuned. 

It has been over 2 months since I made a post so it is time to get up to date.  During the time that dad was in the hospital Michelle and I determined we would have to raise the rent on my house.  We were notified almost immediately that our renters would be moving out.  We decided that it was time to sell the house and move on.  Fortunately for financial reasons on our end the renters are still there.  There was a lot of work to do and the house went on the market June 9, 2014.  Still a few things to do there, just no rush.  Praying for a quick sale. Three holidays have passed now also.  Just not the same without dad.  Father's Day was happy and sad.  Comfort came in know that dad was celebrating with his Heavenly Father! Mom is doing better.  She is starting to get here appetite back and sleeping better.  She is still staying at her house.   We go out there at least once a week to help her out.  I know...

My last post was from Michelle and my anniversary celebration.  The day after we returned I received a call from my mom.  My dad was not doing well and needed to go to the hospital.  Michelle and I went to their house and we all took dad to the emergency room.  We had known for some time that he had Pulmonary Fibrosis for which there is no cure.  He was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit later that day.  This would turn out to be his final journey. While in the Intensive Care Unit he received outstanding care from the staff at Covenant HealthCare.  Their compassionate care can not be equaled anywhere.  Dad's personality and belief in his creator also helped the staff and us through this difficult time.  During this time Dad was more concerned about us than himself.  He knew that soon he would meet Jesus face to face.  That was his comfort.  I made a promise to him that I would take care of mom and my family, just as he had c...