We took an entire week away from life for a fun family vacation! Warning - there is an obnoxious amount of photos here.
Hanging at Grandma's while Mom and Dad get packed up!
Last Saturday we drove to Muskegon to stay at a beach house with most of the family. It was so great to hang out with everyone and get away from life for a little while... plus we had a ton of babysitters to help entertain the girls!
Relaxing in the family room with everyone
Vacation = ice cream!
Burning off some energy.
Katy, Alex and Gilly hanging at the beach
Clair was inhabited by a demon for a little bit
There was some hair braiding
Maggie: Let's talk about princesses and braid each other's hair! Luke: I gotta go
We went out with Bobby's family for a delicious breakfast on Sunday. Maggie and Luke kept each other pretty entertained, so we all got to eat the majority of our food - success!
Inspecting the retro oven
Chugging contest
Playing with knives. With four parents around... we really wanted to eat our breakfasts.
Luke is saying hello to some ants
I have no idea what's going on here.
Luke is making Maggie poop with his mind powers
The beach along Lake Michigan was perfection! No rocks! Maggie was pretty freaked out by the sand at first, and really hated walking in it. She eased into it throughout the week, but I still wouldn't say that she loves the beach. She liked going with us in the lake, but definitely clung for dear life.
Playing under the "lella" in case it rains
Zach and Ed playing some new game... which I've already forgotten the name of and shall dub it "bouncy beach ball thingy!"
Making a sand castle... as long as the sand stays off her blanket and feet
Bathing beauties
Maggie met this girl on the playground and after pestering her for about 20 minutes, finally got a verbal response and a playmate. Maggie then declared, "that girl is my best friend" (most people know their best friend's name)
Maggie definitely preferred the pool!
Evie really opened up to us on this trip... she had a lot on her chest (mostly drool) that she needed to get out. It was so adorable - she just babbles non-stop when someone will pay attention. She was in her glory with lots of cuddles and conversations all week.
I could get used to this!
Grammer and I spent lots of time hanging out
I'm so cute!
Hangin' with Aunt Jody
Chatting away with Pops
Everybody get down!
We took Maggie and Luke for a walk one night, and stumbled upon a submarine museum (which was unfortunately closed). There was an old (and slightly dangerous) submarine top in front of the museum that the kids had fun with. They enjoyed making echoes and pushing all the buttons. I really hope the fate of our country is never dependent on their silence in a submarine.
Let's get this thing moving!
I'm picking up something on the radar
Torpedoes make great toys
Later that evening we all went to the beach for a bonfire and s'mores. The sunset was gorgeous, and Maggie was pretty excited about cooking marshmallows (though not as interested in eating them... so naturally I helped her out).
Almost all the grandkids
My great sailor. On land.
Marshmallow, prepare to die.
Yesss.
She has a hard time keeping her eye on the task at hand. That's what grandparents are for.
Family time!
Luke and Claire are displeased with Maggie's political views
Relaxing by the fire
The Rabines
Our sloppy family photo
The Polons
Pops gave Maggie a lot of helpful tips like, "don't put it in the sand"
Playing by the shore during sunset (Luke decided to wade in about a foot of water with his jeans on)
Daddy, you're an ok guy
Thug life!
Katy's first time holding Evie - not bad!
Pure Michigan
Monday was a rainy day, so we decided to go to the movies. This was Maggie's first movie in the theater, so a big milestone! Sadly, the movie "Minions" was pretty terrible... Maggie paid attention the whole time and seemed to enjoy herself though!
Forced photo
Check out my new pals!
Later in the week we took Maggie to a bouncy jump house for some kid fun. There's was one area that was just for toddlers, so I kind of figured she would hang out there most of the time. Nope. She went to the big kid areas and climbed all the way to the top (which is my mind was approximately 100 feet in the air). A 10-year old boy made friends with her and helped her through all the bounce houses. He was really kind and patient with her, and never tried to make her do anything or touch her. We told his parents they raised a really good kid! Anyways, this video made me a really proud Mama, didn't know she had it in her:
We took the girls on a walk to the "big red castle" - i.e. the lighthouse. I was so worried about Maggie just running and jumping off the edge. I just wanted to strap her in the stroller the whole time, but we gave her a little bit of freedom.
Queen of the castle
Daddy on the rocks
Quick selfie before Maggie escapes the stroller
Lovely day for a stroll
Our friend Katie was randomly in Grand Rapids for work on Thursday night, so we met up with her at Brewery Vivant for some tasty food and beers... she decided Michigan is so awesome (and she is correct), that she had to cancel her flight back to New York and re-book for the morning. We hung out back at the house and walked on the beach... and then woke up at 6am to begin the next adventure!
Yay Michigan!
Hanging out at Founders before meeting Katie
Travelling with kids just wasn't complicated enough for us. So in addition to our vacation in Muskegon, we also got tickets to the two-day music festival Eaux Claire in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Jamie's dad had business in Grand Rapids on Thursday, so he picked up the girls and took them home for the weekend so we could head to WI. I sobbed for about 20 minutes after saying goodbye to my sweethearts... I'm really glad we did this though - it was great to get some one-on-one time with my guy!
Grandma holding it all together
I'm all good, Mom!
I will not bore you with my analysis of the whole festival. Let's just say it was a fantastic time, we saw some great bands and that Sufjan Stevens is my backup husband.
Woot Woot!
Our friend Becky was there too!
This was a really beautiful art installation at the festival, many many pieces of yarn hanging in the air.
The National did a pretty great job... a little sloppy though
Bon Iver closed the festival, had some great guest artists!
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