South Haven Vacation

We just returned from a week of vacation in Michigan!  Currently I have the photos downloaded from all 4 families.  Can you even guess how many photos that is?  So I will try to pare it down, but basically I could show you every single minute of vacation (likely from multiple angles), so forgive me...

Sunday afternoon.  Isabelle and Alice venture in to the cool-but-bearable Lake Michigan water.

Lach + 4 building sand castle.

We learned that Sam is absolutely OBSESSED with water guns of all shapes, sizes, and styles.  We spent a lot of time this week scolding him NOT TO SHOOT AT PEOPLE. (Nothing like getting cold Lake Michigan water in the middle of your back.   Or at the head of another unsuspecting child.  Or while an adult sips a late afternoon beverage.)  Sam you have more energy than the Energizer Bunny.   Sigh.

Sand angel.

The crazy outdoor elevator cage that we used to get from our subdivision down to the beach.  The kids had massive negotiations everyday about who got to unlock the gates, who got to call the elevator, who got to push the button to go down/up, who got to unlock the gate at the other end.  Thankfully there were enough jobs to satisfy everyone.  Somewhat nerve-wracking that the flyer called it an "antique".  Yikes.

Monday morning = rain, playing inside, and BOWLING.

Bunk bed fort!  

I just love the tiny bowling shoes.  They are so cute.

Bowl a strike, get a hug!

Monday afternoon = sun.  Hooray!

More shooting.

Off to look for treasures like pretty rocks, driftwood, and trash.

This afternoon we taught Alice how to jump up with the waves or dive under them.  From that point on we couldn't get her out of the water!  So proud of Alice and her swimming progress this summer.

Tuesday = beachy morning, bike riding, blueberry picking afternoon...

Alice went for a bike ride with the big kids and grown-ups while I babysat Sam and Ryland.

The pretty rental house.

Fun in the hammock.

Child labor.

Berry picker.

Berry eater.


Um, Sam??  Are you counting blueberries?  Hopefully not touching too many....

Vacation gang, first half of week - Me, Sam, Alice; Rick, Amy, Isabelle, Ryland; Dave, Laura, Axl.

Wednesday we did Mommy pedicures, South Haven farmer's market, lunch in town, and toy store visits.   Yes, it was basically like the country folk making a weekly journey for provisions.  In the evening we picnicked at the Saugatuck outdoor music.

Axl and Alice in pjs making crafty hats.

Listening to reggae.

Veggie straw fangs.

Dancers.

Inventing the game "hot lava".

Feeding ducks between sets.

Thursday - A lazy morning, back to the beach, and playtime around the house.  Not many photos from the beach because the water was suddenly SO COLD as to be unbelievable.  Ice water.  Unbearable.  No one in the water.   Boo.

Using the windsurfer as a canoe to stay out of the water.

Lach, Sarah, Sophia & Charlotte arrived.

Backyard baseball.

And I made a scrumptious fresh blueberry pie.

Friday = playtime around the house, a 7 mile family bike ride, and giant bubbles on the beach

Can you see Sam's tough guy expression?  He looks pretty fierce for someone who only peddled about 12 times.  But that's ok.  I was more concerned that he would let go and fall off.  Later in the ride he would stick his tongue out when they passed us!  Goofball.

Kal-Haven bike trail.   Alice was a super peddler and made me feel like I had a little rocket booster propelling me forward.  Although her pedal fell off twice!

Alice was our "guide" on the trip, and knew where we should stop to pick black raspberries.

Purple hands.

Self-reflection and an ice cream treat for all that peddling.

My giant bubble toy. 

The pack of kids desperately wanted to pop the bubbles.  The adults compulsively tried to make bigger and bigger bubbles.

And now off for exploring.

Pulling Daddy in for a movie cuddle. 

Saturday = playing, beach, a sunset visit to the pier, and a farewell beach campfire with fireworks to wrap it up.

Alice did some arm painting for me.

We had a final splash in the lake.  Alice and Sophie devised a boat out of an inner tube.

The pier at sunset.

Stopping at the berry farm on our way out of town.   The End.