Michigan: Part 3

This is the final chapter of our Michigan adventure with the DeBoer clan. Which means there will be LOTS of pictures! I am a very visual person so I love pictures, no I need pictures - I pay more attention to books with pictures, need the recipes I use from cookbooks to have pictures, etc. Thus, I am a glutton for putting pictures on our blog. Hope you don't mind. Lots of these pictures are thanks to Candice for taking them and sharing them with us, so here's a special shout out to you, Candice! Great pics. Thanks!

As I've mentioned multiple times already, we had a glorious time with family in Michigan. The more I think about the time we had (and of course, look back on the pictures) the better the vacation gets in my mind. I'm ready to go back anytime. :)

I'll let the pictures do the talking...

More playing on the beach:

Uncle E makes the best jungle gym

ready?...

Whee!!!

Uncle E: the human swing

This picture just screams love!

Chillin' with Daddy

More time playing in the water

Jumping over the waves with Grammie and Mommy

Getting all cozy, wrapped up in a towel on Mommy's lap

Getting buried in the sand

More playing in the sand with Auntie Andrea

(needless to say, sand was EVERYWHERE when we got back)

Trading hats with Great Grandpa

One of the days we took a day trip to Grand Rapids to tour Calvin's campus and see the new sports arena - it was amazing! Being back on campus brought back a surplus of great memories for Matt, Eric, and I. Ah, college days... good times, good times.

Luke's first Calvin walk

I'll be crying over this picture when Luke moves into the dorms at Calvin in 17 years

(yes, it's been decided that he will attend Calvin, he doesn't have much say in the matter)

The DeBo's

One of the mornings Uncle Ken set up a fishing trip. I opted not to go along since there was minimal space on the boat (only 6 allowed) and Luke hadn't been sleeping well the whole vacation, so I figured we'd stay home and catch what precious little sleep we could. It ended up being a great decision for us because it rained pretty hard during the trip. Those who went (Matt, Eric, Candice, Andrea and Jordan) had a great time, however, in spite of the rain.

Matt reeling in his catch

Andrea and Jordan reeling in their catches

Andrea with her fish - can you tell she's not a big fan of touching live fish?

Eric, on the other hand, didn't mind getting up close and personal with his catch

The brave fishermen and fisher-ladies with their total catch - pretty impressive!

That evening we met up with the whole family again for dinner in downtown Holland. It was such a nice night - perfect to eat outside on the restaurant's patio.

Luke playing with Ava and Bella, swinging around the umbrella pole.

Luke with Auntie Andrea. love it.

Another family shot

After dinner we walked around the streets of Holland. Apparently, Thursday nights are a street festival of sorts in Holland. Performers of all kinds set up and play for hoards of people milling about. It was lots of fun to stroll around and see all the artists.

Luke had the best view

Giving Uncle E some love for being his ride for the evening.

Daddy didn't completely get out of his shoulder-ride duties that night

DeBoer Cousins (minus the Stummer girls - I'm not sure where they were when this picture was taken)

We stopped for ice cream - a must have on summer nights. Luke was a little begger, getting bites of ice cream from pretty much everyone! Once he'd had his fill of ice cream the sugar rush hit full force and Luke was no longer content to sit still with us in the shop. Auntie Andrea was happy to walk with him outside for a bit. They kept stopping by the window just above the booth where we were seated to say hi and blow kisses.

Watching a street performer do tricks with yo-yo's. I was skeptical of this guy at first but it was actually really impressive, you can tell by the look on Eric's face.

(sidenote: I love how of all the people in this picture the only one smiling for the camera is a complete stranger!)

Uncle Tom had to show off his own yo-yo-ing skills

Matt and Grandpa enjoying the sunset and cooler weather our last night together

Our attempt at a whole family photo before heading out. Luke had just cashed out in the car and would NOT wake up for the picture. oh well. Good enough.

All tuckered out from all the fun with family. Luke slept for nearly 2 1/2 hours on the way home. We made it all the way back to my parent's house without stopping: awesome.

We had a few hours between when we got back to my parent's house in IL and when we had to drop Mom DB off at the airport so she was able to relax a bit before starting the second leg of her travels and we enjoyed getting the bonus time to spend together.

Love you Grammie! Can't wait to see you again soon!

So that pretty much wraps it up for our time in Michigan with the DeBoers, but don't fret... there's still more to come on our Midwest vacation. Two states down, one to go.

Michigan: Part 2

Saturday, July 3, we bid farewell to Dean, Angie, and Austin and headed off to Holland, MI. We rented a cottage on the lake with Matt's family (Mom DB, Eric, Candice -Eric's significant other, Andrea, and Jordan- Andrea's significant other). It was a cute little cottage with an incredible view.... check it out-

The only bummers were 1) no air conditioning (it got pretty stuffy some nights when there wasn't a breeze. And it was nestled right in the dune which pretty much absorbed the heat during the day so it didn't cool off much at night.) and 2) even though we were right on the beach, and a private beach at that, it was still a good hike to get down there.

check out our steps down to the beach....

It didn't take us long to get settled in and start relaxing on the deck. Luke loved exploring yet another new place to stay and playing with all the adoring family members who were happy to give him lots of attention.

That night we planned to meet some extended family (aunts, uncles, cousins) to watch the fireworks. Matt's uncle Ken and aunt Jane had rented a cottage on the channel so we decided a walk along the beach to their place sounded nice. It started as a good idea and was nice to get some exercise but ended up being a longer walk than we anticipated (it didn't help that we walked way around where the other cottage was and ended up being re-directed up and then down another large dune due to where they were setting off the fireworks). At least there were lots of arms willing to help carry Luke who did not want to walk along the beach but preferred to stop and see the sand and check out the water.

The fam trekking along the beach

We were able to enjoy a gorgeous view and great conversation along the way

It was nice to finally meet up with the Genzinks and get to our spot for watching the fireworks. Luke was fascinated with the sand.

Aunt Jane checking out the sand with Luke

It was a slight challenge to keep him from throwing sand all over everyone.

Our attempt at a family picture, waiting for the fireworks to start.

Watching the fireworks.

(please ignore the fact that I look like a total gomer in this picture)

Despite the fact that Luke didn't really nap that day and the fireworks didn't start until closer to 10:30, he did amazingly well. He sat on my lap and clapped for the fireworks without being prompted to do so. Thankfully, Uncle Ken offered to drive us back to our cottage afterward. Luke fell asleep on my shoulder and although I'm sure we'd manage the long walk on the beach in the dark back to our cottage, it was nice that we didn't have to. Thanks again Uncle Ken!

Throughout the next few days we lounged around the cottage, relaxed at the beach, played in the pool, visited with family, ate wonderful meals, played games, and just enjoyed being together.

Jordan entertaining Luke with some bubbles

Luke quickly figured out how to open the door from the sun porch out to the deck. This absolutely thrilled Luke and terrified me - remember the stairs down the beach and how steep they were? He did take a tumble down the steps just off the deck at least once, and I was right there! Needless to say I did not like the fact that Luke could let himself outside (and would) anytime my back was turned. Again, I was very thankful for family's help keeping an eye on him.

Peering through the screen door into the sun porch

Luke loved being in the pool. He is not afraid of the water at all - he kept trying to put his face in and drink the water. He'd jump in and walk right off the steps into the deeper water. I guess I should be thankful that he's not afraid of the water but his lack of fear makes me a little fearful.

Swimming with Daddy

Mom DB made dinner for the whole family (that's 22 people in all) on Monday night. She was given some freshly caught salmon from her brother-in-law (another Uncle Ken). She commissioned Matt to grill it up along with some brats and burgers for those who oppose seafood. It was delicious!

The grill masters

Eric and Uncle Tom overseeing things

Aunt Kristi and Uncle Tom's girls (Bella, Ava, and Mia) were adorable. They took to Luke right away and were so great playing with him, helping him sneak chips, holding his hand, etc. It was priceless. I'm thinking they might need a little brother... :)

Ava and Luke playing with the train we brought from Grannie and Pops' house

Bella, Ava and Luke

Playing at the beach

The water was so warm and pretty calm. Luke loved splashing in the waves - so long as someone was holding him or at least holding his hand.

He was knocked over by a few waves and was not a big fan of that.

Beach Babe

More on our Michigan vacation to come...