Our First Family Camping Trip

Jack plays in the surf with Calvin (Chris's and Jill's dog)

This little blow-up ring was the only beach toy we had:(

Cool dude Luke--it was their first family camping trip, too!

Sammy gives some love to Calvin

Jill and Luke chill at the campsite

Dirt everywhere!

We were all covered with a layer (or six) of this fine dirt

Jack gets down and dirty at the campsite

After Uncle PP stayed out all night in the camper with the kids, we asked him if we could take it for a few days. It would be our first family camping trip! We booked campsites in Ludington and Mackinaw City for a total of three nights. These pictures are from the Ludington campsite...and when we finish our camping trip, we'll post the rest. Ok, I'll admit it! We quit! We did one night in the soupy, humid, dirty, ashy campground and then fled from the mosquitos to our friends' house for air conditioning and a cleaner environment. Yes, we're wimps, but we also bit off way more than we could chew. Ask us in a few years if we finished the trip:)

Michigan, part...which part are we on???

Grandma gave the boys permission to throw popcorn off the balcony.


They were trying so hard to get popcorn onto the bush, which Grandma called "the popcorn tree."

Taking a swig and wearing his new hat!

Zoom! Zoom!

There were very few rides they all could go on together--Sam was right around 36", and some ride operators let him on, but others did not.

Sam got Branko on his feet, dancing to Peanut Butter Jelly.

Coast Guard Festival Fireworks

Fun at the fireworks...

We're glowing!

Turn off the flash, Aunt Christi

Let's glow together, Averi!

Safe on Daddy's lap

Michigan...Two-and-a-half Weeks of Summer Fun!

The first ship's arrival

The boys excitedly point toward the boats entering the channel with their horns blowing.

Trying on Mom's hat...

Oops!

Blowing bubbles while waiting for the ships to come in...

Creating the necessary wind

A news reporter set up right behind us and then almost immediately tore down his equipment and moved. Needless to say, we were not on the six o'clock news.

A Place for the Easels

Rick's dad made these magnetic/chalkboard easels for Cheryl's preschool classroom last year. We asked for some for our playroom, but ended up putting them in the garage. Rick mounted them, put a bucket of chalk next to each easel, and threw an old paint can underneath for a seat. The boys loved it! We even put a bucket of water between them with some sponges for "erasing," which wouldn't have worked in the carpeted playroom.

Sam at work.

A clean slate.

Let the artistic juices flow!

Hiking at Gfather Mountain

Grandfather mountain is one of our favorite places to take the boys hiking. The trail up to the bridge is challenging, yet manageable for everyone. We brought along Nanee and Papa, which was fun, too. It was so windy up there, we had to hang on to the boys so they wouldn't blow away. Of course, no trip to the mountains is complete without a stop at The Mast General Store and The Candy Barrel. Yum!

Nanee and Papa navigate the rocky terrain.

The boys pose at the top and try not to blow away!

On the way down!

Pretending to fly...

Outside The Mast General Store (like my new hat?)

New "Chicken"

The boys have always liked playing with their friends' play kitchens, and I noticed that when we visited the toy store Sam spent a lot of time in the kitchen corner of the play area. I found this kitchen on Craig's List for a great price much more easily than I anticipated. I thought I'd be wading through pink and purple kitchens for days. The lady who sold it to us threw in some food and utensils, which the boys thought was great. Sam still calls it the "new chicken," and his simple mispronunciation has stuck.

This was the first meal the boys made me with their new kitchen...yummm! French fries, onion rings, and eggplant! We have since "shopped" for more food.

Jack celebrates in front of the new kitchen

The phone's for you, Sam!