Grand Haven 2013

We rolled into Grand Haven on a Sunday, with the bumper practically scraping the road.  We did the obligatory hubby irritated with wife, wife yelling at kids, kids stunting productivity unload.  We stayed in the same condo as last year, right around the corner from the house where the rest of the family stays.  We got everything in, and headed right to the house for dinner, and most importantly a walk down for ice cream!

We were missing Grandma as she didn’t come till later in the week.  A week is just too tough for her.  A few days was just right:) 

I have been dreaming of my salted caramel ice cream for a whole year and it did not disappoint! 

  

The week always goes fast.  It included lots of our yearly activities and some new stuff sprinkled in.  We got to the camper for a bonfire one night.

 

 

2 year old + marshmallow + sand= gross

We did our day at Michigan Adventure with a few tweeks.  Just mamas went, and only for the late afternoon/evening. 

It turned out perfect!  By the way, it was freezing out for July!

These two spent most the day riding the big coaster(Shivering Timbers) over, and over, and over again!  Seven times to be exact. 

Kaitlyn had her own milestone.  I call her Peanut for a reason~she’s tiny!  Turns out she’s about 1/4 inch too short for most the big rides.  We snuck ourselves onto the Wildcat anyway and she loved it!  It’s an actual big coaster, and I was so proud of her!  We ran back around and got in line again.  Low and behold a worker girl called her out of line and wouldn’t let her on.  I was irritated, but said whatever.  We went to the other rides, I taught her how to lift up her heels a tad when measuring, and we went back.  Try number 3 successful, got on, loved it, got back in line.  Worker boy asks her to measure, she does with heel trick, and he says go ahead.  Mean worker girl sees us and makes her measure again.  Nenni(that’s me) starts yelling at mean worker girl.  Mean worker girl obviously has no common sense nor life, so it becomes pointless to keep arguing with her.  Nenni buys mean worker girl voodoo doll and pokes a pin in her eye.  Not really, but that would’ve been fun.  We got on twice, so there.

 

Half our crew got stuck on the Corkscrew!  Overall it was an awesome day!

Grand Haven always includes a visit to the Farmer’s Market.

 

Lots of shopping and walking downtown.

Sof was obsessed with me taking her picture in this!  It’s a lighthouse and the holes are just part of the look, but she was sure they were for putting her face in!

Coffee and bread for breakfast downtown are a must!

Random insert…Thank God for iTouches.

 

Imagine what Grandma must think of this technology!  Born 90 years ago you couldn’t have even dreamt it!

Speaking of Grandma, we were happy when she showed up.  It’s not complete without her.

We love Grandma Jackie

Kaitlyn: Ahhhhhhh, Natty, Don’t play on the steps.

Kaitlyn: It’s dangerous, you’ll get hurt!

Kaitlyn: She doesn’t listen!  Natty:

We get lots of family time in Grand Haven.  Always splitting off in different groups and directions, but coming back together as a whole.

These pictures?  The last 3 hours of my thirties.  Sigh.  Might as well celebrate!

Besides all that, of course we have to have some beach time.  We were lucky to squeeze in two days this year, as the weather was cold!  The first day was great, warm air and warm water!

  

   

The second day we went was warm and sunny, but the water temp had dropped about 20 degrees!  Kaitlyn and Emmerson braved it for a few minutes, but the kids spent most the day in the sand!

 

  

Livy and Lexi worked hard on their special place to lay out.

Last but not least, we always end the week with the children’s parade, which is actually just a way for the kids to get more candy!  Our friends Rick and Tracey joined us with their kids.

Is it coming yet?

Another great year!  We used each day to it’s fullest, and never get tired of our favorites.

We had one other special day in Grand Haven that I’ll talk about in a separate post.  It involved a very special reunion…stay tuned!