*almost* Up North

Now that we've had a week to get our house back in order and have *some* of the laundry done, maybe I can find the time to get some pictures from our Michigan trip posted. The kids have been clingy monkeys this week, I'm not sure what's going on. Maybe just the transition back home. Anyway, we had a great trip. It was beautiful weather and we didn't need our sweatshirts because we didn't have any cool nights like we usually do. We were at the beach almost everyday and we came home tan, too well-fed,  and so relaxed.

We were able to leave a little earlier than planned so I found us a "mini-cabin" at a state park about an hour or so south of the house where we were staying with the rest of my family for a week. It was a great way to start the trip off and get in vacation mode.  

We arrived at dusk (which in Michigan is about 10:30pm) and the kids were still up so we let them explore a bit. They loved our cute little cabin and trips to the bathroom because then they could see all the big campers with their fires and lights. I loved this too and wondered why it's taken us so long to camp again.

We stayed here for 2 days, it was bliss. Rode our bikes everywhere, had the beach to ourselves if we went early enough, had campfire dinners (and S'Mores of course) and enjoyed our favorite Michigan beverage, Vernor's ginger ale! Enjoy the pictures from this part of our trip and I'll do a new post for the next part of our adventure.

 Our View

Our path to the beach

On the 3rd of July...

we walked to the festivities

Entered Gracie in the dog show

She won 2nd place in the biggest dog category and stole the show when she wouldn't leave the ring

We played fun games

And won cheesy prizes

One of us got her face painted

We ate bbq picnic-style

Waited for the parade

Took a rest

And had a refreshing beverage

Finally we heard the loud sirens

Ran for candy

And were proud of our efforts

Then one of decided her hair needed to be more festive (for the wrong holiday maybe)

Then we walked home, drank buckets of water, and talked about how this may have just been the best 4th (on the 3rd) yet.