Michigan Trip 2017

This year we decided to drive to Michigan instead of fly. I know it sounds like a crazy idea with three 4-year-olds and a newborn, but we decided to do this to save money, so that we would have a vehicle that would fit all four car seats while we were in Michigan, and because we knew the kids and I would stay for awhile so it would make the long drive worth it. We have driven many times to Micah's parents' house in Colorado, which is about four hours away, and we've made a few trips to Denver with the kids (about 7 hours), but those drives are nothing compared to the 21 hours of drive time to Michigan. We decided to split the drive up between three days since we had to stop so often to feed Graham. There were definitely tense moments when Graham was crying and we were trying to navigate through city traffic and such, but overall the ride both ways went fairly smoothly and we only had one major slowdown due to an accident ahead of us on the highway. Alexis, Jack, and Faith were troopers for the entire six days we spent in the car, and they spent most of their time watching DVD's.

Micah stayed in Michigan for the first week and then he flew back to ABQ to work for a couple of weeks. He returned to Michigan on Thursday night (actually, he arrived at my parents' house around 2:00 a.m. on Friday morning), and then we left Friday morning around 9:30 for our drive back to ABQ.

Our time in Michigan was a whirlwind of activity. Since Alexis, Jack, and Faith no longer nap we stayed busy morning, noon, and night. And once the big kids were in bed for the night, usually around 8:00 p.m., I was still taking care of Graham as he was not on a good bedtime routine yet and I was worried that if I started to put him to bed too early in Michigan he would be waking up too early when we got back to ABQ since there is a two hour time difference.

I have to admit that although I stayed quite busy taking care of Graham since a 3-month-old demands a lot of time and attention, I did get a little spoiled by my parents. They woke up before the big kids every morning and got them their breakfast. They crawled into the back of the car and buckled their car seats when we were going out (this might not seem like a big deal, but it's kind of annoying climbing back there all of the time). They made every home cooked dinner. They babysat a few times so that Micah and I could do one-on-one outings with the kids and go out with family and friends. I truly appreciated the amount of help (and entertainment, especially by Grandpa) my parents gave me while I was there, and the change of pace was great after an overwhelming start to our summer with a new baby.

It would take several blog posts to cover everything that we did in our time on the road and in Michigan, but here are many photos from our trip that capture the fun that was had by all.

We ended up leaving for Michigan a day later than we had planned as Faith woke up with the stomach bug the day we planned to leave. The next day we made sure everyone was healthy before leaving, so we got a later start than we had originally planned. Thankfully, no one else caught the bug!

Graham stretching out at our lunch stop

Picnic lunch along the highway in Texas

First night in Oklahoma City. The kids have only stayed at hotels a couple of other times, but they don't remember it at all since they were babies. They were so excited to be in a hotel room so they all climbed into the beds right away!

I bought this great travel bed from someone in my multiples club right before we left. My parents have a pack n play so I didn't want to lug ours across the country for four nights in a hotel room. Graham was at the perfect age for this since he wasn't moving around much yet, but as soon as he starts rolling it won't really work anymore.

The girls normally share a room, but sharing a bed was a whole new experience. We ended up having to separate them until they fell asleep and then move them into bed together.

Our preschoolers leaving the hotel

None of the 4-year-olds slept at all until the last 30 minutes of our drive to Michigan, despite being very tired from not much sleep at the hotels. Unfortunately this little nap was rough on Jack, but he recovered quickly once we got out of the car at Grandma and Grandpa's house.

They LOVE driving around in the golf cart

We brought their balance bikes with us and I'm so glad we did! They enjoyed rides around the condo roads and they rode endless circles around my parents' driveway.

We spent our first full day in Holland at Dutch Village

Dutch Village

The kids had numerous ice cream cones on Grandma and Grandpa's back patio

Blueberry picking was a fun experience for all. We were lucky that it was a cloudy morning so that we didn't get too hot, and the blueberries were large and easy to pick! The kids probably ate as many as they put in their buckets.

My parents' have the best yard in the condo neighborhood as they live on a corner lot. The kids spent a lot of time running around the grass and playing games. One of their favorite activities is watching Grandpa launch rocket balloons and trying to catch them. Great Grandma was over this morning and Alexis was playing catch with her, which is something she probably hasn't done in many years!

My parents live in a 55+ community so there aren't usually many kids hanging out there. Many people stopped to talk to the kids while they were playing outside in the driveway and the kids LOVED all of the attention. They especially enjoyed talking to the neighbors, which is a couple in their 80's who have taken an interest in the kids each time we visit.

We spent one morning at Ottawa Beach enjoying Lake Michigan

Jack swimming in the cold lake

Jack warming up with Grandpa and Graham staying out of the sun with Grandma

Not our best family photo due to the bright sun, but in the background is the lighthouse where Micah and I got engaged almost 13 years ago.

Faith enjoying a special drink on the porch swing

Having Katie in town for the summer was a huge bonus for me. We have been friends since 1st grade and we still make a point to travel to see each other a couple of times a year. The kids adore her and they loved that she rode bikes on the driveway with them.

After the kids were in bed for the night, Micah and I met up with Katie and her husband Ryan for drinks (and a second dinner for me...this nursing mama is always hungry!)

Katie's parents have a pool, which I swam in numerous times throughout the years. The kids loved swimming there.

The girls drawing before church

Alexis, Faith, and Jack just sitting on a chair, so I told them to smile for a photo

The girls reading books at the local library, which puts the ABQ libraries to shame. I remember sitting in this same carousel reading as a child.

Exploring the local nature center with cousin Adelle

Faith's first pony ride

Alexis' first pony ride

Jack's first pony ride

Swimming with their cousins (and their cousins' friends)

Adelle, Jack, and Faith

I took this stroller along for Graham, but Faith really enjoyed riding during one of my walk/runs

Downtown Holland splash pad

St. Joe Children's Museum

St. Joe Children's Museum

St. Joe Children's Museum

Alexis' haircut. She was so brave!

Faith's haircut. She was so brave too!

Jack wanted to stay home with Grandpa while the girls got their hair cuts, and when we got back Grandpa had made a guitar and a microphone for him

We borrowed this seat from a relative and Graham thoroughly enjoyed it!

Grandpa found this special tool for making "roads" at a thrift store which saved his back since it had to be re-drawn often due to rain and sprinklers

Painting the birdhouses that Grandpa assembled

Alexis enjoyed riding in the stroller during my run/walk too

Sunday morning porch swing. The kids spent so much time sitting on this. We all wish we had a great porch like this at our house!

Jack playing baseball with Uncle Kyle, Brayden, and Grandpa

All of the great grandkids with my grandma

On the porch swing at my parents' friends' cottage near Lake Michigan

Evening visit to Lake Michigan

Brayden is a mermaid!

First trolley ride in Grand Haven

Alexis and Grandma on the trolley

Sharing a drink in Grand Haven after eating Pronto Pups

More driveway fun with Adelle. I bet the neighborhood misses all of the free entertainment!

We met up with one of my high school friends and two of her kids one morning, and her oldest daughter helped my kids on the zipline

Brayden being very patient with Alexis while playing Sequence for Kids. She still has a lot to learn as far as rules and strategy, but he was good at rolling with it all.

We decided to pick blueberries a second time, but this time it was HOT and the berries were much smaller and more difficult to pick. We still had a good time though.

No blueberry picking session is complete without playing on the playground

We visited Great Grandma at her assisted living center and the kids enjoyed these "toys"

My SIL turned 40 while we were in town, and the kids decided we should get a piñata for her birthday party. Aunt Jodi had bought them a piñata for their 3rd birthday party, which we celebrated in Michigan last year, so I guess they think that is how birthdays are celebrated in Holland! It was actually a lot of fun, especially since our three understood the concept better this year. Jodi is an amazing aunt and a great SIL. It's crazy to think that I have known her since I was 12-years-old since my brother and her started dating in high school (I was in middle school!). It was fun to celebrate this milestone birthday with her!

The grandparents with their six grandkids ages 12, 10, 4x3, and 3 months

On our last full day in Holland we went to story time at the local library and Llama Llama came for a visit! The kids love the Llama Llama books, so it was a lot of fun seeing them meet him!

Uncle Kent and Aunt Emily are also a lot of fun. They stopped by after work on our last day in town to say goodbye, and we were able to get this great picture of them with the kids.