Merry Christmas

We wish you
a Merry Christmas
and
Happy New Year








It took until mid-December to find the Christmas spirit.  The kids can't come home and the boys are long past anticipating the "perfect gift" that requires a shopping quest (I miss that).

We went through the motions; put up the tree, plugged in the outside lights, and tuned in the Christmas station on Pandora and somewhere in the process the Christmas spirit found us!

"Mixed Nuts" inspires a theme

We got creative in packing the gifts that had to be mailed.

An Avita water box becomes "Feliz Navita-Dad"

We did a little holiday baking and gift wrapping  

You can substitute dog spit for scotch tape.

'Cede and Yukon

Time flew by, Santa came, and we traveled downstate to be with family and friends.
 

Baby it's cold outside

We had a magical Christmas Eve

We met up with Mark's brother,

Ross and his wife, Loralie 

for lunch and a carriage ride,

followed by a visit with our dear friends,

Mel & Denise.

We ended the evening with a 

Christmas Eve service

at their little country church.

Our Christmas Day was spent with my side of the family, good food, and good fun.

Our kids were with us in spirit and Skype!  

Receiving a laptop from my wonderful husband was very nice surprise,

 having our youngest son and daughter-in-law "join" us for Christmas
was the topping on my Figgy Pudding!

.  

Liz & The Ladies

We ended our B&B season on a high note.  Aunt Liz made her annual trek this year with friends & family!
This group of crafty ladies spent the week-end beading, knitting, scrapbooking, and handcrafting Christmas Cards.  Lei taught several of the ladies how to make a mini-album with cute little pockets.

Stopping at Arnie's Arts & Crafts in Houghton Lake on their way North, the ladies also found time to shop Grayling and trek to Hobby Lobby further north in Gaylord.

Aunt Liz, Aunt Linda, & My Mom

All the Ladies: June, Liz, Linda, Shirley, Nancy, Rita, Linda, Lei, and Betty

Nancy & Linda took a walk Sunday morning before breakfast.  When they returned, we had a slight variation on "look what the cat dragged in".  This little guy followed the ladies back to Borchers and wanted to check in.

Nancy returned to where she thought he had come from, but when she came back to Borchers, so did he!

Mark & I knocked on doors but no one answered.  They probably saw the "free kitten" in our possession.

"Percy" was very friendly and obviously had been around people. I suggested Mark take him trucking because he hopped in the car every chance he got.  We assume he likes to travel and stay at B&Bs.

He spent a couple of nights with us and on Tuesday, I decided to make the rounds again.  The first house I stopped at had bikes and a stroller and other evidence that a family lived there.
It was not their cat but they thought he would be a good addition to their family.  "Cat"astrophe avoided!

Make New Friends but Keep The Old

We have been so fortunate in that owning Borchers has allowed us to make and renew friendships.  This October was no different as we welcomed "the Toledo Gang".  Bill & Mary, Jerry & Barb, & Craig have been staying with us for years!
They are the OLD friends.

In recent years, Bill's sister, Mary, has joined us and we are delighted that Craig has found "new Barb".
Cousin, Jane & her husband, Lance, are a great addition to the group!


We allow Craig to wear his Ohio State shirt and Bill to talk about the Yankees & The Packers.
It's not exactly a match made in heaven, but these friendships are priceless.

Barb, Craig, Mary, Bill, Jane, Mary, Lance, Barb, & Jerry

September is an excellent month for paddling!
These lovely ladies were celebrating the upcoming wedding of one of their B.F.F.s

We appreciate the many ways Borchers plays a part in memories for families and friends.  Congratulations to the bride and groom.

Carol Ann & Crew

Carol Ann & Crew including her brothers and their families, BFF's and their families, and Carol Ann's mom and sisters made their annual trek to Borchers.  We always enjoy groups that span three generations!

Meet the 2012 Canoe Crew

 Borchers held it's annual staff training.





The Borcher Babes, Sara, Amanda, and Madi,  practiced kayak retrieval.  These girls are so good, they can do it blindfolded!

Borchers deals in helping large groups of people get on the river safely.

Here is our friendly, helpful  staff, working the bugs out of our launching procedure.

 Borchers 2012 Canoe Crew

We love paddlers!

We love to host paddlers!   Young and young at heart!

Sarah, Gabe, & Chase

Bob & Jeannine

 Big groups and small

Fellowship Church 

Michelle & Brock