Ahhh, Good Times....

...were had a few weeks ago in Mackinaw City. After a busy first two weeks of school and all, these pictures remind me of our relaxing, fun week together - away from it all. The Mill Creek Campground was great - shaded sites, ours was a quick walk to the lake and across from the playground, bath house, and heated pool! We all could have stayed longer! We were more experienced campers this time - and the weather was beautiful, so no mud to worry about - and it was truly relaxing and soothing to the soul. We hung around the campground some, enjoyed the beach, the pool, the mini-golf course, the incredible views of water and MI's #1 bridge. We also trekked around a bit - to Fort Michilimackinac in M. City one day (definitely recommend this) and into the UP another - to Tahquamenon's Upper and Lower Falls and the Oswald Bear Ranch.

Highlights included:

• Aaron and I enjoying a gorgeous afternoon in the shade (while Ken & the 3 older kids swam), gazing at Lake Huron and reading a book. This was our view:

• Enjoying S'mores with the Watson family while watching the sun set over the bridge.
The kids being so happy just to be with us, doing simple things!


• Aaron smiling at everyone.


• Getting our picture taken with a real bear cub at the bear ranch. (Yes, Dad, it was safe.)


• Taking the Sunday evening Vespers Cruise and going under THE bridge at sunset. Gorgeous!
• Curling up in the pop-up camper on the cool evenings.


• Ken & Nathan buying a kite from the original Mackinaw Kite Company and flying it on the shore of Lake Huron.
• Watching the kids collect rocks, sand, etc., on the shore.
• Attending the craft fair at the Paradise Festival in Paradise, MI.


• Seeing a doe with 3 fawns walk across the Tahquamenon River just upstream while we were at the Upper Falls!


• Being away from the responsibilities of life, except for enjoying and building into our sweet family.

p.s. Can you guess how many hours we were there before we ran into people from KCBC? Two! Each day over the 5 days we were gone we ran into Kent City folks - either from church or school. :) It's always fun to run into people you know in a place far from home.

I know there's many pictures on this entry; I hope that's not too frustrating for you dial-up folks. I leave you with one of my favorites:

Camping Take Two!

We're heading out again! The pop-up was great last time, so we're trying it again. This time we're headed up to Mackinaw City to a nice campground recommended by a friend. I looked online for a few recipe ideas (things you can cook in foil over the fire). As I looked, I found some good ideas - and also a link for 'Make Your Own Baby Food While Camping.' Aaron's not eating solid food yet, but that one cracked me up!! As if this mom of four would want directions for making my own baby food WHILE CAMPING (remember my mom in law's quote? "All the work of home with none of the conveniences." :) I'm ready for the dirt and all this time!!

Thought that was a good one! We're all eager to go on this trip - it will be nice to be further from home, and we'll do some hanging out at the campground enjoying the view, the beach, and the heated pool, and we'll also do some sightseeing - a day trip to Tahquamenon's Upper and Lower Falls, etc.

Back to packing! My enthusiastic helper Robyn keeps asking me, "Now what food?" as I write this and then she scurries around the kitchen getting the items! Ken told me this morning he'd like to leave by 8:00 AM Thursday Yikes! :)

p.s. I added pics of our Maxine's experience - look at previous post.

Tulip Timin'!

We have made it an annual tradition to head to Holland for the Tulip Time festivities. Being from a Dutch & CRC-based high school, our band marched in the parade each year. I must say I did not enjoy marching in it much at all. The parade route was long (2.5+ miles) and the weather varied from being 80+ degrees (plus polyester uniform) one year to 50 and rainy the next. I think there was one year when it was very pleasant weather. The highlight for me was when they gave you a can of Squirt at the end of the route. NOW, as the audience of the same parade, it's a awesome 'Muziekparade' experience! How perspective changes! Tons of bands (the highlight for me) and lots of fun. We headed over twice this year - once with our PrimeTimers (50+ year olds) from KCBC, and once with the Fishers. Enjoy the pics! And if you haven't been to Tulip Time and you're from West MI, did you know that Reader's Digest billed it as one of the top 5 family festivals in the country?! There were charter buses from everywhere there. And those tulips - wow - they stretch for miles (6+ miles of "Tulip Lanes") and are simply gorgeous.

40+ PrimeTimers Enjoying the Day
"We Love a parade!"
My Dapper Dutchman! (notice the hat!)

Our Thoughtful Girl
Our four VANDERwests - We don't look Dutch, do we?
Those tulips sure are 'purty!' She's got the JOY! (and she IS a joy!)

Cuteness

More fun from Kentucky! At the petting farm, the had the goose in that contained area and he followed Seth and Robyn all around. They got a kick out of him! The Mobley's had a little pond and that served as entertainment as the kids watched the fish swim around and tried to find the frog that had taken residence in the pond.