Michigan Vacation

Last week we took a wonderful vacation to Michigan with Matt's parents, siblings, their spouses and children.  Their were 13 of us all together and we had an amazing time! I've been postponing writing this because I'm not sure what to include.  I think what I'm going to do is post a picture from each day with a brief summary of what we did each day.  It you want to see lots of pictures email me and I will send you links to my online albums.

Day 1 - Driving, St. Joseph, Fremont Arrival

Yvonne and Jenna with Grace and me enjoying the refreshing Lake Michigan water

Monday morning we got up early put the kids in the already packed care and took off on our vacation. After about and hour of driving we stopped for breakfast at Cracker Barrel.  Then we drove for another 2 hours and stopped for lunch in St. Joseph, Michigan.  Here we met up with the rest of Matt's family and had pizza, went to the beach, played at a splash park and made the most of our 3+ hour pit stop.  Then we hopped in the car and drove another 2 hours to the house we rented for the week in Fremont, Michigan.  The house was on a lake and was perfect for our family of 13.

After claiming our rooms, making beds, unpacking a little, and settling in we headed out to a local diner for supper.  Then we put the kids to bed and a few people hit up Wal-Mart for one of many trips that week.  We're glad it was only a 2 minute drive away.

Day 2 - Fremont House, Park and Bar

Having drinks while watching the Euro Cup at a local bar

Tuesday morning we all woke up to a breakfast of eggs benedict made by Matt's dad.  Then we spent the morning hanging around the house, at a park near the downtown and just adjusting to being on vacation.  During the afternoon the guys (and Yvonne) went to a bar to watch soccer and the rest of us stayed at the house to rest and take naps.  Grace and Jenna also got tons of quality time playing princess and watching Sleeping Beauty while everyone was gone.  Jared and Yvonne made pulled pork for dinner that night.  

We also did something cool on the trip where the family who cooked took time to share joys, trials, concerns and thoughts about the future with the whole family at the end of dinner. This was difficult a couple of times with the kids but it was really neat because it gave us time to really hear what was going on in each others lives.  After the sharing time we would take time to pray for the family who shared.  It was very encouraging.

Day 3 - Ludington State Park

Lunch spot with view of Lake Michigan

I think this was my favorite day on vacation.  After playing in Lake Michigan on Monday we really wanted to go again.  After breakfast casserole (with rice yum!) made by Jane we drove to Ludington State Park which was about an hour away.  It was a really windy day and the water was rough but we ended up having an amazing time.  Grace loved the sand and water so much.  It was hard because in the water she wanted to swim on her own but it wasn't safe for her to do that so I had to hold onto her the whole time.  Caleb hated the sand but that ended up being a blessing because we didn't have to chase him anywhere he'd just sit on the towel and smile.

We were able to eat lunch at the snack bar on the beach and then Rachel, Rollin and Josh and the 4 of us stayed and enjoyed the beach even longer.  Jared and Yvonne took their girls back to the house and John and Jane went on a hike to the lighthouse during this time. We ended the day with a yummy chicken dinner made by John and Jane and a fire pit in the yard.

Day 4 - Fremont House

The cousins

After spending the 3 previous days being very active it was kind of nice to wake up to clouds and rain (and pancakes and sausage that Matt and I made) on Thursday morning.  It just forced us to spend a quite day around the house.  The kids played, took naps and were very good.  And the adults lazed around.  The afternoon brought a little more sunshine so we were able to get outside for a bit and Rollin grilled for us.  Rachel and Rollin made fajitas for dinner that night and they were delicious.  We also had a fire pit with s'mores that night.

Day 5 - Fremont Beach and Lake

Caleb in his shark towel

Friday was our last full day in Michigan so we decided to make the best of it (of course after amazing breakfast burritos made by Rachel and Rollin).  There was a public beach at the lake our house was on a mile or so away.  So, we loaded the cars and went swimming.  The water was great and our kids loved it.  Grace especially liked it because the water was calm so she was allowed to let go of our hands, unlike at Lake Michigan.

There was also and ice cream parlor and a great park right at the beach.  We enjoyed spending a lot of time there.  After we go back to the house the big kids played in the sprinklers and went for paddleboat rides (driven by various combinations of adults).  That night Matt and I made spaghetti, Texas toast and salad for dinner.  Again we ended the night with a fire.  We all stayed up pretty late that night because as someone said it was like the last night of camp.  A very satisfying vacation.

Day 6 - Leaving Fremont

This is the house we stayed at. Time to say bye.

Saturday Morning we woke up and loaded our cars to hit the road.  We didn't go directly home because it was our 5th anniversary.  Matt's parents offered to watch the kids for a night so we had a 24 hour date in Chicago!