Much of this past week involved preparations for our weekend. There was packing, cleaning and food prep to take care of in addition to our everyday. We spent another day with Great Grandma, cleaning and playing on Wednesday, and made it to the Library one morning to choose more books and enter to win some prizes for the summer reading program. While there, the girls love to play in the kids' area, so this time I got to watch a puppet show.
While this Mommy was busy gathering all of the extra stuff little kids need when away from home, the girls found ways to entertain themselves nearby. Tierney, ever the little goofball, was full of antics as she toddled around the yard, following whoever's legs passed by and adding to the games of her sisters.
Ezri and Alora did some"work", after setting up a little desk and bring supplies out. Sometimes it was church, sometimes school, sometimes I wasn't sure what, but for quite a long time they were having fun with that game.
At least they were... until something didn't go Ezri's way...
Friday morning, we woke and finished loading up our car for our vacation! After picking up Uncle Andy and meeting up with our friends Jay, Becci, Tony, Kathy, Travis & Emmett, we were off! Northward bound to the beautiful lake shores of the Sleeping Bear Dunes.
We checked in to Betsie River Campground, set up camp and relaxed a bit before making dinner. Go figure, shortly into our time there, our little monkey Tierney took a dive off a picnic table bench and landed stomach first on the ground, scraping her head and face as she fell. No blood, though a lot of tears, and unfortunately the first on the scene, Kathy, got to wear Tierney's recent snack from the blow :( Thankfully, she was ok after some comforting, a little ice, and some clean clothes! First injury out of the way for the trip, we ate some dinner and then headed out to check out the lake in Frankfort.
We were thrilled to find a beautiful little beach just minutes from our secluded, wooded campground. And off that beach, their was a long pier with a lighthouse at the end! Of course, we went to check it out.
I was so amazed how clear the water was to the right of the pier. We could see the bottom well past where I would have expected, at least 15 feet or deeper.
The girls enjoyed the long walk to the lighthouse in various ways - on foot, in arms, on shoulders - any way was fun!
We spent a long time exploring the pier and the lighthouse, watching boats and enjoying the view.
Though the water was quite cold, it was fun to watch the water splash up onto the pier
And to splash in the water that stayed behind.
Back on the beach, we watched a few more boats and checked out the sand and water before heading back to put tired little ones to bed.
Saturday morning, we woke early (Tierney was up before 6! And, in a tent, once one person is awake, the others will not be long in slumber land, so everyone else in our tent was up not long after). We managed to feed everyone before a storm blew in, bringing rain with it. Fortunately, we were ready to go, so we jumped into cars and headed for the Sleeping Bear Dunes visitors center, hoping the rain would pass soon so we could hit the dunes.
Thankfully, the rain was fairly short lived, and after an hour, we were headed up to the scenic drive, stopping along the way to check out the view.
As lunch time approached, we stopped at an overlook and had a picnic together. The clouds sill hung low from the passing rain and storm. While the kids waited for their lunches, they raced up and down the hill nearby.
The sun was soon out again, and lunch was served!
Fueled again, it was off to find the big sand hill!
A short while later, we found another overlook, this time on a sand dune we could climb around on a bit. A very steep drop off, we kept the kids (and ourselves) on the top of this dune, but sure did enjoy the view).
While we were there, a bunch of planes flew overhead, which was entertaining for a bit as well.
Awesome friends, beautiful surroundings and the perfect weather... needless to say, we were all feeling quite happy and enjoying ourselves immensely.
Apparently all of the being carried left Tierney parched, so much so that she cold not wait for me to get her water bottle :)
Finally, we made it to the Dune Climb! With clouds overhead, and a steady wind, conditions were great for climbing that huge dune.
And so, up we went!
Once we reached the top of the big dune, the unstoppable Ezri and her buddy Travis kept right on going up the next hill.
Tierney was glad to stop and play in the sand.
Soon, down came Ezri and Travis, running as fast as they could
And then, up the kids went again, this time with most of the group following behind.
Pretty soon, down came Ezri and Travis again!
Even with a few tumbles and falls along the way, they were filled with giggles and smiles the entire time.
While Tierney played in the sand and the kids ran up and down the hill, the guys and Kathy enjoyed the view on the higher dune.
Eventually, everyone made their way back down...
And more play happened...
That sand was just to inviting!
Hot from all of the climbing and the sun that was beginning to emerge again, we headed back to camp where we gathered our swimming gear and then drove back out to the beach in Frankfort so the kids could play in the water. Much too cold for the adults, I'm not sure how the kids could stand it, but they had a blast!
As the sun began to set, we packed up our sandy kids and gear and headed back to camp for a late dinner and a much needed bedtime for children. Children who, of course, found their second wind after being put into bed and drug out the night as long as they could before finally giving in.
The adults enjoyed another night around the fire, chatting about nothing in particular and feeling tired but fulfilled.
Sunday morning, we woke to the task of needing to tear down camp. After so much fun, it was sad for the kids (and adults) to have to admit we were nearing the end of our time away together. But, we weren't done just yet!
After leaving the campground, our cars packed to the ceiling again, we went back into Frankfort. Some of the adults did a little shopping, while Tony and I stayed and watched the kids play on a really neat playground on the water's edge until lunch time.
After getting some lunch nearby, we headed North a short bit to Point Betsie Lighthouse. There, we were able to picnic together in the shade and enjoy another beautiful view.
The kids had a blast playing on a the big tree on the property.
We purchased passes to go up into the lighthouse, an opportunity that is harder and harder to come by. Unfortunately, Alora was just a smidgen too short to go up into the tower :( But, she soon found entertainment with Uncle Andy as they went on a treasure hunt around the lower lighthouse.
Up in the tower, Ezri and I joined the Sebrights for a look at the horizon and the light itself.
From up there, we could see Sleeping Bear Dune (thanks especially to my new birthday present!)
And the South and North Manitou Islands
A little bit more play in the nearby dunes with Daddy...
And the most beautiful picture of all... This blessing we have called Family; these precious little girls that bring us such joy and add so much to everything we do; this man we call Daddy, who works so hard and sacrifices so much so that we can share moments like this; this life we share together, all because of our Heavenly Father who loves us so much!
The younger two girls crashed almost as soon as we hit the road to head home, Alora before we had barely pulled out of the lighthouse drive, still mid-writing.
We enjoyed this trip so immensely, the time we could spend with our dear friends, the laughs and memories we made together, the chance we had to get away and the fact that we are so blessed with friends we can share such moments with. While we are sad to have had to leave the excitement and adventure behind, as we had such a wonderful time away, we know that more adventure waits just around the corner (or the coming weekend most likely)!
