Pure Michigan

We spent a wonderful "Pure Michigan" weekend up at the Hofmeyer's cottage. We got into town on Thursday evening, and had enough time to walk down to the lake and explore a little. On Friday morning, we enjoyed breakfast and coffee on the porch and then went out kayaking. When we got back, we went to a park with a playground and also found a geocache. Then we had lunch at Bud's and played a quick round of mini golf. After we got back to the cottage, we took the fishing boat out for a little spin and ended the evening with Pizza in Traverse City. 

On Saturday, we went to Sleeping Bear Dunes in the morning and did part of the dune climb. Then we drove through the scenic drive quickly to stop at the dune overlook. Then we went to the Platte River beach to spend the afternoon. It was a very cool spot where the Platte River emptied into Lake Michigan. The river water was so warm and shallow and the boys spent a lot of time floating with the current. We will definitely be going back there next year and may actually do one of the tubing trips down the river. After the beach, we stopped at Moomer's for ice cream and finished the evening with hot dogs by the campfire. 

On Sunday morning, Phil took the boys out on the boat one last time. On our way home, we stopped at "Mr. Paul's" house for his annual pool party with some of his former Plante Moran employees and their families.

Checking out Duck Lake

Breakfast on the Porch

Ready for Kayaking

Mini Golf

Boat ride!

Captain Will

Captain Alex

Sparklers

Climbing the Dunes

Platte River Beach

Moomer's

Pool Party at Mr. Paul's

Captain Alex

Captain Will

Adventures in Geocaching

On Tuesday evening, we were invited to try geocaching with Parker and Mrs. Grindall. We went over to Al Sabo Nature Preserve and went treasure hunting. We found one pretty quickly near the entrance and then ventured in to the park on the hunt of another one. Unfortunately, we did not find that cache. We did, however, find an underground bee hive. William ended up with one sting, Alex got three, and Mrs. Grindall got 3. But that didn't stop us! The next day we went out in the afternoon and found three: at the church across the street, at Texas Park, and one in Applegate. Then Phil and Will walked down to the Farmer's Market after dinner and found two more. They asked to go out again today! It is a fun activity and gives a little purpose to our walks. We hope to do some hunting up north this weekend!

Treasures!

Success at Southridge!

Texas Park - Take it to Court

A micro cache hidden on the windmill

Near the Farmer's Market

Behind Ace Hardware

Along Moorsbridge Road

Texas Corners Ice Cream Social

After breakfast on the farm, we went to the Texas Corners Farmer's Market for the Texas Corners Ice Cream Social and the Great Lakes Burn Camp parade. The event was hosted by our fire department and proceeds from the event were split between the fire department and the camp. The parade started at Wings Stadium and consisted of hundreds of motorcycles and fire trucks and emergency vehicles from all the surrounding cities. The children that were attending camp got to ride on the fire trucks (with sirens blaring) from the stadium to the camp. There was a steady stream of trucks for about 10-15 minutes. And they were going much faster than normal parade speeds! After the parade, the boys got to play a bunch of fun carnival games and had ice cream sundaes.

Breakfast on the Farm

Since Phil was out of town this weekend, the boys and I were invited to go to "Breakfast on the Farm" with Parker and Mrs. Grindall. On Saturday morning, we drove out to Hood Farms Family Dairy in Paw Paw. It was a great event! They had quite a spread for breakfast including pancakes, sausage, fresh blueberries, smoothies, milk, and water. They had several large tents set up with tables and hay bales to sit on. There were a lot of people there but everything ran smoothly. After our meal, we were able to take a tour of their farm. We saw their milking stations, their cow housing, heifer housing, maternity area, and calf barn. They also had an area with kid activities, free ice cream, and a tractor ride at the end. There were a lot of fun games and giveaways along the way from various commodity groups.

Breakfast under the farm sprinklers

Milking Machine

Milking Machine

So many cows!

Booties!

Nature Center Camp

This week, William had camp at the Kalamazoo Nature Center. It was their "Water World" week and he had so much fun. Here are a few things they did: 

- Explore and learn about nature
- Art classes
- Hike to Gravel Pits
- Giant Slip and Slide
- Mud Pit (caught frogs and tadpoles)
- Nature's Playground
- Hike to Trout Run to play in the stream
- Visit the Delano Farm and Homestead

White Tailed Deer Group

End of Camp Program

Friday Funday - Lifeguard Costume

With his counselors Elliott and Izzy

Happy Birthday, Emma!

This weekend, we went to Detroit for our niece Emma's naming ceremony and first birthday. The ceremony and party were both lovely!