Up North Vacation - Part 2 (Mackinac Island)

On the 4th of July, we got up at the crack of dawn (5:30!) to head further north for a day trip to Mackinac Island.  We couldn't have asked for a more perfect day.

By the time we got up, ready, and out the door and a made a stop in Gaylord for breakfast, we arrived in Mackinaw City around 9:30.  Our timing was perfect.  We got on the ferry right before it left the dock.  No waiting at all.

Obviously, we chose to ride on the top, which was a little chilly...

but we had a GREAT view as it took us under the bridge!

When we first arrived on the island, Hannah was in total awe of all of the horses.  Every time we saw one (which was very often), she yelled "neigh neigh!"

We hopped on a carriage ride right away, which gave us a very thorough tour of the island.

The timing again was great.  Jack took a nice snooze as we trotted through the streets.

We made a stop at the butterfly house.  Every year we go to Frederik Meijer Gardens to see the butterflies, but I have to say that I think this place has them beat.  There were butterflies EVERYWHERE!  Many of them even landed on us.  In fact, one hitchiked on Mary's arm the whole time we were there.

We also made the obligatory stop at Arch Rock.

After our ride, we had lunch at Millie's on Main.

We then did some window shopping down Main St. and walked along the shore, which put Jack out once again.

We went from one end of the island to the other and hung out on the lawn at Mission Point Resort for awhile.

Having fun?

Chasing seagulls.

Family pic at the marina.

Waiting for dinner on the patio at the Pink Pony.

We got back to the ferry dock for our ride back to Mackinaw City around 8:00.

Me and my girl.

On the way back, we opted to ride inside.

We were so proud of the kids for doing so well for 11 very full hours.

Two very tired kiddos on the way home.  They were out within 10 minutes of getting in the car.

Up North Vacation - Part 1

Jason's office was shut down the week of 4th of July, which gave us the chance to head north for a week's long family vacation.  We took off Saturday morning, and after a short stop to drop JJ off with my parents (HUGE thank you to them!!), we made our way up to Lewiston to spend the first part of our vacation with Jason's parents. 

Jack's first McDonald's cheeseburger.  He didn't need any help eating it all up.

The Davis men.

Waiting for dinner at The Lodge.

Sharing Grandpa's lap.

We spent a lot of time outside - boating, walking, and swinging.

Jason's mom and I took Hannah to the beach in town on Sunday.  The parking lot was packed, but we were able to snag a great spot on the beach.

They had a nice sandy swimming area.  Hannah and I had a great time playing in the water.

Jason's dad stopped by on a trip into town and spent some time playing in the water as well.  He made the mistake of splashing Hannah, which led to return fire.  He was a little wet when he left.

That night, we had a campfire and made s'mores.

Jack's first s'more.  The guy definitely has a sweet tooth.

Worn out after a long day of northern adventure.

Sleepy Heads

Jason thought the kids were pretty quiet as he took them on his nightly jog.  Apparently after a hard day of play and no naps, the stroller ride did them in.

Sister and brother

Can you feel the love??

13 Months Old

Jack is now 13 months old.  Here's what he's up to:

*He babbles quite a bit and loves to engage in conversation.  He has definitely added Papa and Nana (Hannah) to his vocabulary.

*His favorite new trick whenever I'm holding him when I'm wearing a tank top is top put his mouth on my shoulder and blow, making a lovely noise.  He thinks it's so funny.  Thank goodness he hasn't bitten down b/c those teeth are sharp!

*He still LOVES to eat.  Just stand by his high chair and call his name, and he comes speed crawling across the room.  He basically eats everything that we eat.  Unfortunately, he shovels in so much food that he totally overstuffs his mouth.  I'm so afraid he's going to choke.  He gets VERY upset when I take some out.

*He is totally done with a bottle.  We actually dropped it cold turkey, and he never seemed to miss it.

*He's discovered that he's a boy and regularly checks out his boy parts when he gets a diaper change :-)

*He is an early riser, I think between 6:30 and 7, but I would never know it.  He lays in bed and sucks his 2 fingers until Hannah wakes up and gets out of bed to find me. 

*He still takes 2 naps, but I'm afraid his morning nap will quickly be coming to an end.  This past week he's not slept at all during that time.  As long as he's content, though, I will continue to lay him down.

*He still is walking along furniture and behind toys but has yet to take any steps.  He's definitely an expert crawler.

*He has 8 teeth, 4 on top and 4 on bottom.

*He loves to clap, wave, and put things over his head and play peek-a-boo.

*He is such a ham!  He loves to flirt and is very good about going to people (knock on wood).  He has such a fun, happy, goofy personality.

Up North

My parents recently came over to watch the kids so that I could go into work for a day.  As luck would have it, I ended up getting sick that day.  Since I go in so few days, I stuck it out and went to work anyway.  Boy was I glad, though, when I got home and could crash on the couch.  I was soooo thankful that my parents were there to take care of the kids and me!

Between me being sick and Jason having class 2 nights that week and a class group meeting on the night in between, I figured it was the perfect time to go up north with my parents.  It worked out perfectly because I ended up being sick for our entire stay, so the extra hands were a total blessing.

Our first few days up there were quite chilly for June.  Still, Jack loved hanging out by the screen door.

Since they couldn't go outside to play, Grandma made Hannah a "castle" in the living room, which Jack also thought was very fun when Sissy would actually let him inside.

Even Papa attempted to hang out inside.  It was a bit tight.

Papa promised Hannah pink ice cream, so after we went to a bbq dinner at their church we stopped at Nibbles.

Jack even got his own baby cup of vanilla.  Watch out.  This boy LOVES ice cream!!  He couldn't get enough.

Is this lake not the prettiest thing you've ever seen??

Hannah made new friends with Mary and Joe from next door.  Hannah followed Mary around like a little sister.  So cute!

The weather did return to summer on the weekend, so my parents took the kids to the beach for some swimming and boating.

Trying to make a break for it on the boat.

What trip up north would be complete without s'mores?

Delish!

Sunday was Father's Day.  My grandpa came up with my aunt for the day, so she had us down to their cottage for dessert and to hang out with him for a bit.  Mark took his turn hanging out with Jack.  This was his one time holding each kid, as he says.

Neigh neigh ride from Papa.

Happy Father's Day Great-Papa!