MICHIGAN - HAMILTON

When I was volunteering in China earlier this year I met the son of one of the other volunteers. He was in China for work and decided to visit his Mum at the same time. Not long after he went back home to the U.S. I received a lovely email from his wife inviting me to stay with them if I happened to be in Michigan at some stage.

So that's where Nic I and I went next - to Hamilton, Michigan to stay with David and Amy, their four wonderful children - Austin, Hailey, Andrew and Hannah and their exchange student Minnie. Add three dogs, two cats, a rooster and a bunch of chickens (not to mention Nicola and I) and it was one busy household.

But how enormously welcoming they were. Nicola was a complete stranger to them and I had only met David but they took us in (sounds a bit like we were strays doesn't it) and made us feel completely at home. Hannah gave us her bedroom, Amy fed us so much wonderful food (including a cooked breakfast both mornings), you get the picture.........basically we were spoilt.

The first night we relaxed and watched a movie with the younger kids (Dave and Amy had a meeting and Austin and Hailey had to play in the band at a football match) and it was just what we needed after so many busy days.

We slept in the next morning and after pancakes (with a choice of plain, chocolate chip, peanut butter or cinnamon) we drove to the nearby town of Douglas. There were lots of lovely shops there (didn't do too much damage to the credit card) and we had lunch at The Wild Boar - which included Bison soup!!!!!

After Douglas we went to Saugatuk (which is where we were originally going but didn't quite find it straight away) which was just as lovely and had even more shops. There was also a Halloween parade for the kids which was fun to see.

When we got back we went for a run before dinner. It was so cold and I don't think I warmed up until near the end. But still, I was impressed we did it.

We then had a pizza and movie night (which included chocolate/candy of course) and afterwards had fun taking silly photos and videos and singing.

The next morning was Sunday and although we didn't have time to stay for the whole thing we went along to church for the first hour. David had asked us if we would sing a couple of songs for the senior and junior Sunday school class. After the welcome they had given us, it was the least we could do.

Although I have to say, I know who got the better deal!