Sleeping Bear Dunes

Looking at this picture you may think wow they are on a beautiful Caribbean beach somewhere. Well, that is not the case. We are up north at Sleeping Bear Dunes in Michigan. That's right only 3 hours from where we are living and it was breathtaking. I would recommend this to anyone. We went there for the night with the kids and camped out.

We camped in the campground there and the kids loved it. Owen was thrilled about all the dirt and rocks and Mari was excited about the tent and wearing her swim suit.

I turned around to find Owen chomping down on some charred wood from the previous camp fire. Awesome!

Mari's 2 favorite parts of the trip.---swim suit and tent

We took a hike around the dunes. Ran down them and then hiked back up them, (if only you could hear the ugh in my voice about the up part).

Then we came back for some dinner. We enjoyed some fruit and roasting hot dogs. The kids loved it and were starving. I'm pretty sure Owen ate his in about 30 seconds. For those of you that know me, I despise hot dogs and would never eat one no matter the environment. So I brought left over spaghetti and warmed it over the fire. That is a good camping food, right? It was yummy!

I have noticed that he eats like this a lot. It makes me wonder if he thinks this way no one will steal his food.

Of course we had smores and yes I had no problem having one of those.

Then it was bed time. Needless to say it was not easy getting these 2 to calm down from the excitement. Nor was it easy to wrangle tornado man with no crib.

After Mari fell asleep then I layed Owen down figuring not much of a nap he would surely doze off soon. Wrong!! He came out a few times saying HI, with that cute smile and voice, but he finally gave in. They both actually slept really well.

Good Morning!

I loved that grin she had the whole time. Ahh the memories.

As always waiting for some food.

The water was so clear and brisk, but we had to go swimming. It was very refreshing.

We thought about making it a 2 night trip but decided we should end on a good note and still wanting more. We are still talking about how we slept in a tent.

On the way there and home we took the scenic routes and I even got to stop and buy peaches from the side of the road. That topped it off for me and they are yummy. It was such a great getaway and probably one of my favorite parts of our summer here in Michigan.

My How They Have Grown

I just can't get over how big my babies are getting. It makes me excited to see it and sad all at the same time. They are playing so well together and becoming so independent in doing things. A blessing and a curse all at the same time.

Owen is always into something, here it is the dogs water. He never stops going until he is asleep or eating and even then he goes unless he is in the high chair.

Mari playing at one of the many parks we have been to. She loves climbing up everything, even if it is to big for her.

Owen enjoys the parks as well, but one of the kids at the park had this and he was much more into it. He loves driving, as he is always saying, dive dive dive. Very cute, but a bit obsessed with it. Thankfully the little boy was nice enough to let him sit in it.

Mari and Daddy hitting balls at the batting cages.

Owen driving again in Aunt Libby's truck. He sat in the steering wheel like this because he thought Mari was going to take it and yelling mine mine mine.

Mari has become a fish and loves swimming.

Awww... getting so big and loving being brother and sister. Makes me SMILE!!!

All gussied up!!

Just a few weeks ago Greg's sister Libby got married here in Michigan. It was a fun week with everyone and getting to get all dressed up as a family and as always eating some yummy food.

The rehersal dinner was at the house and was a gorgeous evening. There were 2 other little girls and Mari was in heaven playing with them.

Me and my handsome boy!

Mari and Aunt MoMo, the only one that could talk her in to a picture and a smile.

Then it was wedding night. Here are my beautiful kiddos trying to stay clean and nice.

Nana and Owen hanging out at the festivities. I love this one. Owen is such a cheeser.

The wedding night. We had so much fun dancing and then Grandpa and Grandma Nienhouse took the kids for the night and we were able to stay and enjoy the rest of the night. It was a beautiful wedding and were so excited to celebrate with them. Welcome to the family Nick.

Coast Guard Festivities

Here in Grand Haven there is a week long Coast Guard Festival. It is very busy and lots of fun activities. Needless to say we were pooped by the end, but had lots of yummy food and fun.

Mari had a camp at the YMCA that week to add to all the fun. This one was Dora camp! She was excited despite the picture.

Right next to the Y was a huge set up with all kinds of free things for kids after camp as part of Coast Guard. Needless to say that is all Mari wanted to do after camp. They had about 5 different jumpy things with slides, games, face paint, fire trucks spraying water, and an arts and crafts tent. We had a lot of fun to the point of tired grumpiness.

Oh and ice cream:)

Owen playing in the water while Mari got her face painted. He loved stomping around and splashing.

The Coast Guard brought in 4 big ships and a couple boats as well that you could tour. It was really neat to see them all and how they work. The kids loved it because they could push any and all buttons.

And Greg loved all the big guns that they let you pretend to use.

We had a great week and ended it with a huge parade and amazing fireworks on Saturday. The kids were tired but it was all worth it. Mari loved the fireworks. I wish everyone could have seen them they are amazing. Better than any 4th of July ones. I always say they are like 45 minutes worth of grand finale style.

Again we are having a great time here and trying to fit everything in before we head back to the snow and cold.