Michigan 2012

We were blessed to enjoy another fun, family vacation to Michigan with my side of the family.  You can read about our trip two years ago to South Haven, MI on the Lake Michigan side  here, here, and here.

This year we went to Au Gres, MI which is on the Lake Huron side of the state.  The house we rented was right on the lake.  It was the perfect fit for the 18 of us (9 adults and 9 kids) and the setting was beautiful.

First stop on the 17 hour trip up.  We drove it in 2 days on the way up and all in 1 day on the way back.
The kids were troopers!

Our first day at the beach.  The girls playing in the sand with Grandma J.  Grandma grew up just a few miles from where we stayed, so this trip was extra special for her.

Addison and Grandma J.

Sweet Charlotte.

She loved playing on the beach.

Notice how calm the lake is in this photo.  We enjoyed great weather most of the week we were there.  This day, the water was completely calm.  Later in the week, that wasn't the case.

The view of our house from our beach.  Yes, we had our own beach...lovely!

Aidan, moving water.  It's amazing how entertaining water and sand can be!

Sweet Sammy!

Margo and Aunt Lisa.  They have the sweetest relationship.
All week, Margo wanted to be right where Aunt Lisa was...so cute!

The kids ate dessert every night on the deck.
My kids went through dessert withdraw after coming home!

Brother and sister, Tyler and Lisa.

The sand village that was worked on all week long.

Caleb and Uncle James.

The proud grandparents, Janet and Dad.
Sorry to make you take a picture into the sun, Dad :)

Tyler and Margo out for a morning jog on the beach.

Charlotte and Addison.
These girls played so well together.  They only had one conflict the whole week...
pretty remarkable for two 5 year old girls who were together 24/7.

Jake moving the pirate ship.

Kyle and Jake on the pier.

Jake and I at the pier.
 A certain little girl wasn't in the mood for pictures :)

We went blueberry picking.  The kids loved it.  Addison did a great job filling her bucket.   Jake's blueberries never made it in his bucket.  They went straight from the bush to his mouth.

What's better than getting buried at the beach?
Brennan, Charlotte, Calvin, and Addison thought it was great!

Lindsay with two of her kids, Margo and Calvin.

My daddy and me!

The last two days of our vacation were cool and rainy.  We headed into town for pizza with our hoodie girls.  These girls are greatly outnumbered by the boys.  Miss Piper, the youngest granddaughter, wasn't able to come this year...but we were able to Skype with her from Japan!

The cool weather didn't keep the boys (and eventually the girls) from getting in the water.  Remember how calm the water was??  The last two days, the waves were huge!

Riding the waves.

The cousins.  Sammy, Caleb, Aidan, Jake, Brennan, Charlotte, Addison, Margo, and Calvin.

In true form, there are limited pictures of the Momma's.  Sorry Erin and Lindsay, I pretty much don't have any pictures of you...you must've been busy :)

This year's trip was so special.  Great setting, yummy food, and sweet company.  We'll miss you Michigan...see you in two years!