Every year, for the past several, in January, the discussions begin. Where should we go for our August vacation? We know we will be going to Michigan to visit my family but where should we stay? We have spent many August vacations at my parents house and it is always wonderful. But there have been several years that my parents have generously offered to find a place for all of us to stay for the week. We have been up to the Traverse City/Glen Arbor area a few times and have truly enjoyed it up there. But this year, we decided to stick a little closer to home. We chose Saugatuck. It is an adorable little town filled with cute little stores, a pluthera of ice cream shops, wonderful restaurants with great water views and delicious ice creams shops (oh, I guess I already mentioned that).
We found a great place with a pool right on the Kalamazoo River, walking distance to Saugatuck and just 5 minutes from the gorgeous Lake Michigan beaches. (Yes, my east coast friends and relatives, there are proper beaches on a lake!)
We spent time with Nora and Len and Ryan, Erin, Owen and Nolan joined us for several days too. We overindulged on many things - food, drinks, ice cream (every day - is that wrong?). We had wonderful meals at home and in town. We sat by the water and watched gorgeous sunsets. The kids were outside all day long, every day. They had an absolutely wonderful time. Both girls slept great and everyone stayed healthy (two major accomplishments based on our previous vacations)!
Grace and Owen and Abby played very well together. And Nolan will be tagging along with them soon enough. It had been way too long since we had seen Ryan, Erin, Owen and Nolan and the boys had changed so much. I'm so glad that the kids get along so well. It reminds me so much of how Ryan, Kerri and I used to play.
We can't say enough thank you's to my mom and dad for giving us the gift of allowing us all to be together - in a gorgeous part of Michigan - relaxing and just enjoying each other's company. We are already looking forward to next year's vacation which we know will be at their new lake house!
Here are a lot of pics which are just a snapshot of how great the week was.
The first of many "light" dinners.
Adorable Owen - 4 years old
Super cute Nolan - we were able to celebrate his one year birthday!
Uncle RyRy showing Grace some new apps on his iPhone.
What a beautiful sunset we saw!
Jamma and her girls!
Jamma and Poppy with their girls!
If we climb all of these stairs will it burn enough calories to eat ice cream every day for 6 days?
The girls are creative - they turned a Caterpillar tractor (which was Nolan's b-day present) into a playhouse with separate rooms for each of them.
Enjoying the view from Ryan and Erin's gorgeous new home!
4 comments:
I love all of the pictures!!! I'm just jealous that I wasn't home to take part in the fun, too. XOXO
PS - It looks like you climbed to the top of Mt. Baldhead. True or false?
Kerri - Yes, I climbed to the top of that dreaded Mt. Baldhead (the picture with all the steps)… it was disgustingly hot, I had to stop several times to catch my breath, it was swarming with mosquitos and the view from the top is not as special as you think it will be. The muscles in my legs were in spasms for about 20 minutes afterward. I did it because Grace (who at 6 years old passed a 9 year old boy on the way up which she was very proud of) and Bruno did it. I was not about to be ridiculed by them - ha!
Wow looks like everyone had a wonderful vacation! Great way to end the summer.
Thanks for sharing your vacation photos. ANd how nice to see a photo of Nolan!!! Happy belated birthday to him! He's doing much better I hope?
~ingrid
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