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A few pics from our amazing anniversary weekend in Michigan. Enjoy!

At the suggestion of Kristen's friend Jessica, we stopped at Redamak's in New Buffalo for a hamburger. She promised it would be delicious. Oh boy, was it ever. Yum-O!

We then stopped at McIntosh Apple Orchard and Winery. Picked up some might big apples, right off the tree and some Apple Cinnamon wine. Both a must-try!





We settled in South Haven on Saturday night and took a walk down the pier to the lighthouse and then had a nice dinner of fresh Lake Michigan Perch.






Sunday morning, we drove up to Sagatuk, an artsy community right on the water, with some fantastic shopping!

And to top it all off, we spent Sunday afternoon in a vineyard. We went on a two hour tour with the vintner, who told us all about the wine making process. We tasted about 8 different reds and whites along the way, including the some of the grapes, right off the vine! Needless to say, we left with many bottles in hand and are looking forward to their consumption.

Mail call!

You know how somedays it seems all you get in the mail are bills and junk mail and countless credit card applications? Basically correspondnce you could do without.

Well today, I came home and feel like I hit the mail JACKPOT! 5 anniversary cards came today from:
Grandma
Mom & Dad H
Deacon John & Alice Ficker
Chris & Tracy Stine
Tom & Alissa Nowinski & Baby Ellyana

Thank you all so much for remembering our special day and wishing us well! It means so much.

On top of that, my loving Godfather sent us 2 tix to the ND v. BC game and a stadium lot parking pass. Cha-ching! Thanks so much Uncle John & Auntie Mary. We're so looking forward to a fall day on campus.

And to top it off...a $5.00 coupon to BB&B came as well. That will come in handy as we start shopping for bathroom things to finish the guest bathroom soon!

If only every day could be a happy trip to the mailbox!

Dear George

Have fun in October!!!!!!

Love,
Mrs. John Edward Hernandez

The power of prayer...

A few weeks ago, we posted about our friend Deacon John Ficker, who suffered a stroke. He recently made a miraculously recovery: no paralysis, no therapy, no pain, no suffering. Countless prayers and one well-timed TPA shot, and the big guy was back on the altar yesterday for Mass-just weeks after the stroke. He and Alice are doing well and we're all so grateful to have him back in service!

Calling all out-of-town friends and family!

Kristen has officially overcome her Domestic ADD. She set out on Sunday to tackle and complete the guest room once and for all. And she actually did it. No more boxes, no more clutter. Our second bedroom is now a calm, inviting haven for any weary travels complete with a comfy, full size bed. So pack your bags and come for a visit. You all have a standing invitation.

We've already got a few visitors lined up with Gillian set for a visit later this week and Mom, Dad & Renee coming for Thanksgiving. So act fast while there's still time! Special weekend rates apply. Haha!

Kurek Cousins

We headed down to the legendary Kurek-staple, Ron of Japan, on Saturday night. Too much food and too many drinks, but lots of laughs were had by all.

It's a bird! It's a plane! It's Super-baby!

Clark Richard DiTore made his enternace into the world this morning. Mom, Dad and Baby are all doing well.

Congratulations Rich and Lindsay. We're so happy for you guys. We can't wait to come down to STL and shower the little guy with Hernandez Kisses!

Update: To see pics of baby Clark, go to www.theditorefamily.com

Has it really been a year already?!

We received our first "First Anniversary" card today. (Thanks Aunt Janis and Uncle Rich!) It's hard to believe that at the end of this month we'll be celebrating our first anniversary of being husband and wife. Time really does fly when you're having fun.

To celebrate and commemorate, we're driving up to South Haven, Michigan next weekend. South Haven is located on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan and it supposed to be a great, quaint village. We're also going to make a stop at an apple orchard and a wine vineyard while we're up there. Should be an enjoyable weekend! What a blessing it is to be married.

Sugar and Spice, and everything nice!

John's friend Rob and his wife Jessica welcomed a daughter to their family a few days ago. Caroline joins her big brother Jack.

Congratulations! We're so happy for you guys!

Labor Day 2007

Here's a little recap from our visit down south. We had a blast! It was so great to see everyone, but as always, we hated to leave. We miss you all so much! xoxo

A little fun with Tessa & Tate Peck. Ok, alot of fun! Tate is probably one of the best babies ever. So calm and smiling all the time. Tessa is getting to be such a big girl and is a great big sis to baby Tate. It was so great to hear her chat away.

As usually, Mom asks what she wants us to make when we come to visit. John suggested homemade Chippino. It was amazing. What a shocker! (You could literally open a cook book to any page, point to any recipe and ask her to make it and I promise you it will be one of the best meals you'll ever have. The woman has a gift!)


The Hernandez kids (John, Kristen, Mike and Renee) went out to Urban Flats for some drinks and Tom & Dan met up with us for a few. Kristen learned she does NOT like Crown Royal (which is a shocker because her dad and brother are fans.)

Labor Day was a fun-in-the-sun day for sure! We were over at Tom's parent's house for a BBQ and swim party. Tessa and the Colado trips LOVE the water. At the age of 2-2.5, they're already swimming like little fish on their own! Tate's well on her way too!

Dickson, the little Casanova that he is, was nice enough to pose for a picture. Cole and Merril on the other hand were too busy splashing in the water or eating a hot dog or something. :)

Tessa, ever the big sister, proved she can handle two babies at once. Her baby Tate and baby Sidney, Jason and Shelby Kirk's little darling.

Hope you enjoyed the pics as much as we enjoyed our visit! See you soon sunny Florida!