Our first day of vacation we packed up the van and headed up to the Sleeping Bear Dunes. I've been wanting to go there for years and we were finally pretty sure all the kids could handle a little hiking this year so we went for it! With Covid we weren't sure about food and bathrooms so we packed picnic stuff and were able to eat right at the foot of the Empire Bluff Trail. We were also able to use the bathrooms in the Visitors Center in Empire before we got to the trails so it all worked out!
It was a 1.5 mile hike and the reward at the end was SPECTACULAR! Even the kids thought it was well worth the beautiful stroll through the woods. I mean, just breath taking.
After we finished Empire Bluff Trail we headed to the REAL dunes. Well, we didn't make it to the water, that was another two miles of dune climbing...I don't know if I'll ever make it! But we sure had fun climbing the first few and playing in the sand.
We had some hungry bellies after all that hiking and climbing! So, we drove on through Glen Arbor and stopped at "Pine Cones" for hot dogs and ice cream. My kids say it was the best ice cream they've ever had.
After a long, full day, it was off to Traverse City! We got a place right on the water this year so even as tired as we were, the kids still had to jump in and play in the water that night. It was honestly one of the best days ever if you ask me.
We were still able to play some putt putt by going right when they opened. No one ahead of us and no one behind us! It was Evie's first time and both her and Laney got legit hole in ones on the same hole! That was seriously the most fun!
On to Patrick and my favorite, Hoplot, for lunch. We place Tensi on the table and painted.
That afternoon the rest of the gang showed up! We had a blast on the beach with the Leo and Alexander and the rest of the Mazzetti's, Grandma and Grandpa, and Aunt Sarah!
Big Joe was a BIG hit! Laney especially loved when Grandma tried to wobble her off!
Annnnndddd....Carson's wish came true. Patrick rented a jet ski and took the kids out. He even came back to give Evie a ride at the end, although she didn't love it as much as Carson and Laney.
Picnic dinner in the park right next to our condo!
I love this picture so much!
Sunset from our back porch was unreal.
Goodbye Traverse City! We weren't sure this trip was going to happen this year, but honestly one could argue it WAS the year to go if there ever was one. We got out and explored the beauties of nature and spent time outdoors with family and friends. I would venture to say it was more enjoyable this year just relaxing on the beach and having dinner in the park verses in the past when we have tried to go everywhere and squeeze so much into just a few days. It was just what we all needed. The kids especially needed a change of pace and scenery. And I'm so grateful we were able to go and stay safe and healthy.
Check out this video of Carson wave surfing!
The day after we came home from Traverse City, Carson and Laney took off for their week at Camp Henry. 6 nights and days of campfires, boat rides, tubing, wakeboarding, singing, sharing, dancing, team building...I could go on and on. Laney came home with all these new riddles and jokes and secret handshakes. She face timed with her new BFF she met at camp for a whole hour the day she came home. Her friend lives in Fairfax, Virginia and it just so happens that Carson befriended her older brother. So Carson plays Fortnite with his new friend from Virginia while Laney talks to her on facetime! Carson came home with a pretty intense sunburn but everything else was all positive. He met so many new friends and gained so much confidence wakeboarding and wave surfing. His stories come out over time, whereas Laney is just non stop talking the moment you see her! They both just smile ear to ear when they talk about their experiences and memories and both asked if they could go for 2 weeks next year! We LOVE Camp Henry!
While the big kids were away, Evie and I had a good old time just the two of us. We walked to the Farmer's Market and had some smoothies and I even had time to redo our hallway closet thanks to Uncle Blake lending me his power drill and making me these wooden planks for all my hooks! I THINK that will be enough for the kids bags and jackets... we will see how long it takes to fill this up!
Photo of Charlotte, courtesy of Evie (hence her foot
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