Michigan!

It really doesn't get any better than only having to drive a few hours and feel like you are in a completely different place!  We l.o.v.e. Michigan!  Maybe it's been too long since I've been to the ocean so I don't truly remember, but I don't feel like we're missing out at all by attending a lake beach instead.  We really had the best time!

This Michigan trip was to a beach town we hadn't visited before--St. Joseph.  We rented a spacious house outside of town.  This house added so much to the kids' enjoyment!  It was a house that a family lives in and just rents out for vacationers.  The kids all had their own rooms and had great fun exploring the house, especially the grounds outside.  There were two pet cats, Trixie, and Shadow, who the kids all adored (and continue reminiscing about.  Ezra sometimes will refer to this as "our old house.")

On our way up to St. Joe we stopped to check out Notre Dame (in a huge pourdown).  David and I had never been there before and he was interested in visiting the Basilica.  It was certainly beautiful!

 

Thankfully when we arrived in St. Joseph the sun finally came out and we were able to grab a pizza for a picnic dinner right here in this open greenspace.  It was so picturesque.  Beautiful blue sky, green hills, seagulls flying overhead and sometimes landing so the kids would attempt a wild chase.  Nearby us were some incredible fountains that crossed each other at great height.  (Clara of course ran in them in her clothes til she was dripping.)  Across the street there was a darling merry-go-round, and Silver Beach was straight down the road.  It was a happy evening relaxing and enjoying the view and new sights.

I love Ezra's determined "I'm-gonna-catch-me-that seagull" face! (Blankie in tow, of course.)

First stop at the beach! It was such a windy few days while we there, the waves were HUGE!  This was our first night, right after dinner and running around we changed the kids to play in the water.  I don't remember why David and I didn't change!  Either I forgot to have our swimsuits with us or I somehow thought we wouldn't actually get wet?!  But once you're that close to the water it's basically impossible to NOT jump in (especially with little ones pulling you along).

Ezra had to hold on tight for dear life!  He loved the water but the waves made him nervous.

Our second day we walked across the dunes to take a closer look at a lighthouse.  The waves were so huge we would get wet if we stood next to the gate on the path to the lighthouse.

Ezra was not having the pictures!  He was pretty worried about the loud crash of the waves.

He especially hates it when strangers try to take his picture!  He flat-out completely refuses to even turn around!

We went back to the merry-go-round that we had passed by the night before.  Many years ago Silver Beach used to be the home of an amusement park.  The only ride they have now is the carousel, but along with the carousel they had magic mirrors, hula hoops, rocking chairs, games such as chess and checkers, picture booths, a gift shop, and carnival snacks (we bought slushies, cotton candy and caramel corn).  

David is the best hula-hooper around!

Carousels always make Clara nervous, so she prefers sitting on the bench.  When we climbed onto this seat we thought it was the bench, and we surprised when we moved back and forth as the carousel began!  It was then that I realized we were on a peacock!  Clara made some little scared cries but my laughing helped calm her down so she could enjoy it.  

Back to splash in the gigantic waves again!  This time thankfully David and I were prepared with our swimsuits on!

Eli loved testing out his scuba gear.

It was a little tricky for two adults to balance between 3 kids at the beach, all interested in different things and different ability and comfort level in the water.  Ezra and Clara had fun playing at the beach's playground.

It's very blurry because we were so far away, but I took Clara out to jump in the waves and do the "Wavy Jitter Bug."  We were out there a good while and got knocked down more than once!  At one time poor Clara and I lost out grip to each other as a wave came down hard.  Scary!  David's glasses also fell off in a wave!  Thank goodness he was able to find them!

We had to check out the morning of our third day, so we didn't go back to the beach to play.  Instead we explored the city of St. Joe a bit.  We spent quite a bit of time playing in a toy store, took a walk around the boardwalk, and ended out vacation with a trip to yummy Kilwins for ice cream.

Eli especially loved getting to take his own pictures with a camera on this trip.

First family selfie!

Family vacations create some of the most favorite memories together.  We can't wait 'til we can go back to Michigan!