Silver Lake Sand Dunes

Summertime...when, at least where we live,

you don't need to go far 

to find an awesome vacation.

Of course, my idea of an awesome vacation 

has changed over the last few years. 

In Mears, Michigan there are no 

trendy restaurants or hip hotels,

 and absolutely zero night life.

But here is what there is:

Swimming, boats, dunes, smores, laughs,

local fresh food, sunsets, 

sometimes a little attitude...

...but mostly fun, relaxing time spent 

with the ones we want to hold closest.

How awesome is that?

Girl Time at Weko Beach

Daddy was gone all last week for a work trip,

so the girls & I decided to have a little fun.

We almost don't want to tell anyone

because this place was so great,

but we'll let the secret out...

Weko Beach!

Weko Beach is in Bridgman, Michigan,

about 1.5 hours away from Chicago.

They have primitive camping, 

but also rent out these little rustic cabins.

They are quite basic,

(like no running water or bathrooms basic)

and Mom just had to accept the fact

that we were all

going to be dirty for a few days...

There is very little cell service,

so the girls had no screens 

or devices to keep them entertained. 

No problem! We made our own fun

with silly string, bubbles,

games and good old beach time. 

These Gogo bubbles we bought 

at the Dollar General in town

were a hit!

Picture taken by Mila.

Sisters bonding over bubbles :)

Mom also introduced them to 

Whipper Snappers. 

BIG fun. 

We went to Stover's farms 

to pick strawberries. 

We've never picked any fruit before,

so the girls really loved it. 

The strawberries were perfectly ripe,

Rows and rows of them. 

We definitely got our money's worth ;)

It wasn't all strawberries & cream...

dealing with these two on my own included moments 

of extreme joy and moments of utter hell. 

Which is pretty much what parenting is.

There's lots to do in the area. 

Plenty of good restaurants, shops, wineries...

but this splash pad near Union Pier 

was a little more Mila & Lolo's speed. 

The beach at Weko is really nice too. 

They have a pretty good concession stand...

Willow was darn near delirious

 over this cheese dog!

I asked Mila how she would 

rate the trip on a scale from 1 to 10...

she said 11! 

We totally plan to come back 

next summer...but with Daddy.

Family & Fun in Holland, Michigan

Whenever we go back and visit
 our hometown of Holland, MI

we pack our days with friends,

family and favorite places.

This time was no exception. 

We rented a little cottage by the beach

(here's the VRBO listing, we LOVED it)

and stayed with Grandma Lynn, 

Uncle Brent, Aunt Crystal and their daughter Hannah.

We don't get to see them often
so it was very special. 

We also spent a lot of time 

with Papa Don & Grandma Mimi 

(Mila & Willow's great grandparents).

On top of all that fun, 

throw in a few parades, a carnival,

bonfires, the beach,
lunch at Wally's & shopping in Saugatuck,
Fricano's pizza (of course),

parties with extended family, 

some time with cousins on Daddy's side, 

AND Mother's Day
and we had one awesome long weekend...

We left Chicago and drove straight to the 

Tulip Time parade on Thursday.

Thanks to Grandma Rita & Grandpa Bill 

for saving us a great spot!

Next we headed to the cottage to check it out.

The girls really loved
roaming around in the big, grassy yard.

Grandma Lynn and Mommy loved

the adorable vintage kitchen. 

Check out that oven!

The cottage was located steps away 

from trails to Mt. Pisgah, 

so after a rib dinner made by Grandma Lynn

(and that fantastic Amish pie from Brent & Crystal

...mmm chocolate, peanut butter & banana)

we hiked the 280 stairs to the top.

 You can see from the look on Mila's face 

in the background of this picture, 

she wasn't too impressed--

she was under the impression 

there was more at the top

 than just a pretty view. 

Still, it was a beautiful evening.

We were thrilled to have everyone together. 

Though eight decades apart,

these two really bonded over the trip.

Notice who is in Grandma Mimi's lap :) 

This picture is far from perfect,

but we like it more because of that. 

Thanks again to Uncle Keith and Aunt Mickie

for hosting a fun family shin-dig after the 

big Tulip Time parade on Saturday. 

Mila Quinn the Bocci ball queen.

It meant a lot to Papa Don, 

who is nearly 90, to spend time with us.

Though he has a little trouble getting around,

he still keeps his sense of humor.

Here he's getting a sip of wine from Grandma 

after exclaiming, 

"Give it to me, baby!"

The girls' cousin, Hannah (age 10),

came up with this meme herself 

after she saw the awesome picture 

we snapped of her 

and the perfectly melty jumbo 

marshmallow Brent created for her. 

It's pretty genius. 

Grandma Lynn and her best friend, Kim.

Good times around the bonfire!

After the parade on Saturday,

we hit the carnival. 

Mila & Mommy went on the Sea Ray!

Selfie as we swung down.

And a selfie as we swung up. 

We loved that ride. 

The girls went round and round 

(and didn't barf!)

in a spinner ride. 

Mila and Daddy braved the rickety Ferris Wheel.

The weather held out nicely

for a lovely walk to the Holland State Park.
We've been to many beaches,
but you just can't beat the sand
of the West Michigan shoreline. 

Grandma Lynn treated the girls

to some time at Art Barn near Douglas, MI.

Mila designed and made a mosaic tray 

while Hannah went with a

 "Herbie" style bank.

The Art Barn is a 

super cool place! 

Finally, we met up again with 

Daddy's family for Mother's Day.

What a great start to the summer!