Time Out

Last weekend we packed it all up and headed North to Ludington State Park.  The weekend was calling for rain but we were very brave and decided to go anyway ...and pray for sun!  Well, it worked and for the most part our weather was pretty good....no rain at least....and the temps were nice and comfortable.

The whole month leading up to this camping trip Hana was in total confusion about what we were planning to do.  Hana had never been to the beach before, or camping, and so she couldn't quite get it straight in her head what to expect....let me tell you, there were times that I think she was pretty nervous about this trip!   I'm sure it didn't help that her Dad kept putting all sorts of scary things in her head!  Things like sleeping on the ground, and bugs and dirt and ....well, we won't even mention the bathroom issues!!  lol ---Side note: Hana won't even walk into a bathroom--at HOME--while she is chewing anything....including gum!  She won't take food or drink into the bathroom and she definitely finishes chewing anything before she enters it.  She also won't use a porta potty or a vault toilet either!

So Hana was pleasantly surprised...and relieved... when we arrived and started setting up camp!  She said 'Wow!  This is just like we are setting up our house right here"!  She also couldn't get it quite straight that camping meant that we were also going to be at the beach...of course she thought it was the ocean and that was another whole thing we had to get worked out in her mind!  Lake Michigan is one of the Great Lakes and it is really big, but it's definitely NOT the ocean!  =)

Here's one of our camp sites. Our other one is next to this and that has our big tent on it.

Here's everyone roasting marshmellows.  Hana had never had a roasted marshmallow before joining our family but our kids made sure that she got to try one long before we ever decided to go camping!  They had to have a bonfire at home just so Hana could taste one!  

Todd's Mom and Dad came to visit us at our campsite.  They live in Ludington not too far away from the State Park.

This picture was taken while we were walking the 1.5 miles to Big Sable Point Lighthouse.

It didn't take long before the kids ended up in the water.  We were supposed to be walking to the lighthouse, not swimming.  And as you can see, a certain child, didn't even bother to take off her outer clothes...she did have a swimsuit on underneath them!

They would run down the beach looking for waves and then they would throw themselves down on the sand and let the wave smash into them.

Here they are at the lighthouse, finally!  It was a long walk and my legs are still sore from all of the walking we did in the sand!

This is a tree stump at the lighthouse and if you can't make it out, it says 127 years!  That's one old tree!

This is Haylie gently trying to convince Hana that it's ok to go in the water, and that the water really wasn't too cold at all.  

Here is Haylie laughing a very evil laugh after "gently" throwing Hana into the "not very cold" water.  As you can see, Hana seems to be thoroughly enjoying it and if you look real close you can see her shouting for joy!.....or is she screaming...mmmm....not sure??  ;)

Ok...so maybe she does look a little cold.....bad Haylie.....

Hana's first sand castle.....oh boy, she wanted so badly to go back to the beach so she could build another one!  We just didn't have time.  We did have dunes right behind out campsite though and we told her she could carry water up there and build one but she decided not to.  Guess it just wasn't the same as being right there on the beach!

One last group shot before we left the beach.

A fun time was had by all and another camping trip is planned for August in Michigan's Upper Peninsula at Tahquamenon Falls State Park.  This is one of our favorite spots up there and we usually try to make it at least once a year on one of our trips back up to my hometown.  Yep, I'm a Yooper....

Say ya to da U.P, eh?  

Supplier of mosquitos to the rest of the U.S.

Two seasons: Swat and Shovel

Winter boots and shorts are in season all year 'round!

Have a "Yooper" good day everyone  =)

Wendy