Camping on the Beach

One of the things that I take for granted around here is Lake Michigan.  It's such a beautiful lake and we just don't get out there enough!

On Saturday we headed out to one of our friend's parent's house on Lake Michigan.  We had talked about doing this before but it all started coming together last weekend.  So after filling all our vehicles until they were stuffed (boy there was a TON of stuff to take for one night!) we took off.  Wow!  Just the first view of the lake was enough to get the kids ready for this adventure. 

After getting all set up, we needed to cool off in the lake.  What a pleasant surprise we had when we discovered that the lake wasn't too cold.  Even us adults ventured in.  Then it was boating time.  Megan's parents came down with their boat and took some of the group tubing while the others were able to ride in the boat.  We were blessed with a perfect day on the water as there were hardly any waves! 

When dinner time rolled around we started a fire and did some got dogs, pizza sandwiches and ham and cheese sandwiches.  The kids were super hungry after a day playing on the beach and devoured tons of food!  As us adults then sat around talking and enjoying the ability to just talk, the kids played in the sand again and did some more swimming.  Jackson actually stayed in the water until it was dark!  He is a fish! 

"Dark time" rolled around and we enjoyed our fire that Luke continued to make bigger and bigger and bigger.  After the kids went to bed we sat and talked more and then it came time to actually attempt sleeping out there.  Our air mattress (which has served us well for 10 years) must have a hole because halfway during the night Luke and I found ourselves sleeping on the hard sand.  Oh well ... we can handle that for one night :)  Thankfully all the kids slept well and we survived. 

After breakfast in South Haven the next morning it was time to pack up again and head home.  We were all EXHAUSTED but honestly, both Luke and I said it was one of the best weekends of summer.  Here's hoping for a new tradition!

Tent City

Our "home" for the night

Grace and Lydia loved being buried in the sand ... and yes my girl is not wearing a swimsuit ... the girl is comfortable in her own body :) 

All the kids burying each other. 

The fire.  Do you notice the huge branch sticking out ... that was one of many that went in the fire.  Let's just say we cleaned up the driftwood on the beach :) 

Sunset on Lake Michigan

One tired boy ...