Our camping trip this year started out at Andrews University. This is where Dan and I attended college and met. Sarah and David met while attending Andrews Academy and Sarah went on to graduate from Andrews. Adam and Natalie also were introduced at Andrews and graduated together from the university.
From there we headed to Holland, MI for two weeks of camping. The campground is right on the beach and we had the campsite closest to the water this year. It was so good for walking to the beach. Thanks David for snagging it for us online.
We were lucky to have Aunt Stella and Uncle Joe in Berrien Springs so we took Aunt Stella camping with us. Our first night out eating was Russ' in Grand Haven. Boy, did Leah love the potato soup. We could hardly stop feeding her long enough to eat ourselves. Looks like she wanted to just eat it herself.
From there we went downtown GH and waited for the musical fountain. Gram Ann was there and wanted to see it also. As usual it was beautiful.
Next day we had to do a little shopping. Here Leah is trying on a hat in one of the adorable shops in South Haven. Lots of Havens on the west coast of MI.
We met Uncle Joe for dinner at Clementines.
This is how cheerful Leah wakes up in the morning.
We hated for Auntie to leave but really enjoyed having her with us. They had a busy summer coming to Manistee and then heading to Alaska for a couple of weeks.
The first Saturday night we head to Saugatuck for the fireworks. Sarah and Dan rode their Townie Bikes, 22 miles, and we met them there. Boy, they were exhausted. Leah had her jammies on to be prepared to fall asleep in the car.
On Sunday we headed back to Detroit for the wedding of Sarah's good friend, and family friend, Melissa. Sarah and David greeted and we babysat. Here is Dave with his two girls ready to go party.
The stunning bride.
Here Leah plays with Gram Lois's birthday balloons while we wait for mom and dad to return from wedding and head back to the camp.
Adam, David, and Natalie all took off a week to join us. First night Dad took us to Craigs cruisers for a little miniature golf, but had to try the batting cages first. Here are the kids all taking a few swings.
Mom and Dad stuck to the slower, smaller balls.
Couldn't hardly go without a day at Culvers and a frozen custard. Here is the Culver mascot with Sarah and Leah.
On one of our shopping excursions, Leah made friends with Bambie.
Tee shirt says it all.
Her first taste of MI beach sand. Yum!
Tried to get some good pictures in the sand on Sabbath before attending church in Holland, but the sun was so bright Leah could hardly open her eyes.
One more 4 generations picture. I love these girls with me. I am so lucky to have all of them in my life. .
Biking is so much fun in Holland since they have miles of bike trails. Kids bought one of those carts for Leah to ride in that attaches to the back of their bike. Her she is getting fitted for first trip.
I think she likes it. The second Saturday we were there was the annual terrific firework display in Grand Haven. She rode behind her dad with her mom and pops all the way from Holland to Grand Haven, 24 miles to be exact. The fireworks were just at good if not better than the previous years. Only problem was it took us at least two hours to get out of town and back to the campgrounds. We were all getting pretty peeved with the law enforcement officers directing traffic.
This is the coolest tent we found for the beach. Only problem was we couldn't keep Leah under it. Her mom enjoyed the shade every now and then.
Here's my girl hanging on my umbrella pole. Water went up to 76 degrees and she liked riding the waves as much as she enjoys floating in a pool.
Every year we have hobo pies at least one time at the fire pits. They were just outside our door this year.
Natalie's sister Francie came and visited us on that day. She had fun making a pie. First one burned, second one fell in sand, and finally the third one was a success. Walter got a great supper that night. He did much better this year staying by the camper alone. No complaints from other campers, and no potty messes. What a treat!
This shows how close we are to the lake behind Gram and Francie. It was a wonderful, but too quick vacation. Can't wait to go again next year. Just hope we can get a reservation. Come and spend the day with us sometime. Sorry, I can't offer a room for the night, but our family has completely filled up our motor home. Adam and Nat even ended up out in a tent cause it was getting a bit cramped. I love that the kids still want to go with us. They hold a sentimental spot in their heart for Holland. We have been going every summer since Sarah was a baby. I remember bathing her in a wash tub on the counter in our pop-up camper. Now we are doing he same thing with her baby. Think we all like the motor-home with pop out side a bit better. Happy summer to all while it lasts.
From there we headed to Holland, MI for two weeks of camping. The campground is right on the beach and we had the campsite closest to the water this year. It was so good for walking to the beach. Thanks David for snagging it for us online.
We were lucky to have Aunt Stella and Uncle Joe in Berrien Springs so we took Aunt Stella camping with us. Our first night out eating was Russ' in Grand Haven. Boy, did Leah love the potato soup. We could hardly stop feeding her long enough to eat ourselves. Looks like she wanted to just eat it herself.
From there we went downtown GH and waited for the musical fountain. Gram Ann was there and wanted to see it also. As usual it was beautiful.
Next day we had to do a little shopping. Here Leah is trying on a hat in one of the adorable shops in South Haven. Lots of Havens on the west coast of MI.
We met Uncle Joe for dinner at Clementines.
This is how cheerful Leah wakes up in the morning.
We hated for Auntie to leave but really enjoyed having her with us. They had a busy summer coming to Manistee and then heading to Alaska for a couple of weeks.
The first Saturday night we head to Saugatuck for the fireworks. Sarah and Dan rode their Townie Bikes, 22 miles, and we met them there. Boy, they were exhausted. Leah had her jammies on to be prepared to fall asleep in the car.
On Sunday we headed back to Detroit for the wedding of Sarah's good friend, and family friend, Melissa. Sarah and David greeted and we babysat. Here is Dave with his two girls ready to go party. The stunning bride.
Here Leah plays with Gram Lois's birthday balloons while we wait for mom and dad to return from wedding and head back to the camp.
Adam, David, and Natalie all took off a week to join us. First night Dad took us to Craigs cruisers for a little miniature golf, but had to try the batting cages first. Here are the kids all taking a few swings.
Mom and Dad stuck to the slower, smaller balls.
Couldn't hardly go without a day at Culvers and a frozen custard. Here is the Culver mascot with Sarah and Leah.
On one of our shopping excursions, Leah made friends with Bambie.
Tee shirt says it all.
Her first taste of MI beach sand. Yum!
Tried to get some good pictures in the sand on Sabbath before attending church in Holland, but the sun was so bright Leah could hardly open her eyes.
One more 4 generations picture. I love these girls with me. I am so lucky to have all of them in my life. .
Biking is so much fun in Holland since they have miles of bike trails. Kids bought one of those carts for Leah to ride in that attaches to the back of their bike. Her she is getting fitted for first trip.
I think she likes it. The second Saturday we were there was the annual terrific firework display in Grand Haven. She rode behind her dad with her mom and pops all the way from Holland to Grand Haven, 24 miles to be exact. The fireworks were just at good if not better than the previous years. Only problem was it took us at least two hours to get out of town and back to the campgrounds. We were all getting pretty peeved with the law enforcement officers directing traffic.
This is the coolest tent we found for the beach. Only problem was we couldn't keep Leah under it. Her mom enjoyed the shade every now and then.
Here's my girl hanging on my umbrella pole. Water went up to 76 degrees and she liked riding the waves as much as she enjoys floating in a pool.
Every year we have hobo pies at least one time at the fire pits. They were just outside our door this year.
Natalie's sister Francie came and visited us on that day. She had fun making a pie. First one burned, second one fell in sand, and finally the third one was a success. Walter got a great supper that night. He did much better this year staying by the camper alone. No complaints from other campers, and no potty messes. What a treat!
This shows how close we are to the lake behind Gram and Francie. It was a wonderful, but too quick vacation. Can't wait to go again next year. Just hope we can get a reservation. Come and spend the day with us sometime. Sorry, I can't offer a room for the night, but our family has completely filled up our motor home. Adam and Nat even ended up out in a tent cause it was getting a bit cramped. I love that the kids still want to go with us. They hold a sentimental spot in their heart for Holland. We have been going every summer since Sarah was a baby. I remember bathing her in a wash tub on the counter in our pop-up camper. Now we are doing he same thing with her baby. Think we all like the motor-home with pop out side a bit better. Happy summer to all while it lasts.
6 comments:
Loved the pictures and updates. Sounds like you guys had a great vacation. I want a Townie bicycle too!! I'll have to put it on my wish list along with new pots.
Loved the sand face picture of Leah! You guys sure know how to make family memories and traditions. That is a rare thing in this world anymore. Keep it up.
Thanks for not posting any swimsuit pictures. There were lots of pictures, I bet THAT took some time!
Sounds like a really fun time. I didn't know Francie drove up for the day, I would have come with her had I known.
What exactly are hobo pies?
Hobo pies are made in a special maker and are 2 pieces of bread with fillings such as pizza stuff, mexican beans, cheese, etc., or even just PB/Jelly. Then you bake them in the fire making sure not to burn. Wish you would have come. Next year!
What a great vacation. I wanted to get to Holland when my daughter lived in Ann Arbor but never got to the coast up north or west. Looks beautiful. Sounds like a great vacation.
Leah has changed.
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