The Baranko Family: FIRST Family Vacation

I got that itch (no, not from mosquitos or from poor personal hygiene). I'm talking about that itch to hit the open road and get away from it all for a spell, reconnect and enjoy the summer. So about 2 weeks ago I up and booked us a family getaway to Michigan. A little cabin in the woods in Fennville, MI (between South Haven and Saugatuck)….just the four of us, on vacation, for the very first time! It was superb, perfect, wonderful relaxing, memory building, loved every minute of it. Luke especially really seemed to blossom during the getaway. He LOVED our trip, LOVED that we were all together, LOVED all of our activities and was very upset when we got home and vacation was over. Like he was literally crying when he saw we were almost home. I hear ya buddy, that's how we all feel!

Vivid memories from the trip:
- Luke snuggled up next to me on my towel laying in the sun and said "I love being with you Mommy, I wish you could always stay with me and never go to work." That's a tough one to hear, but sweet at the same time.
- Claire and Luke were kind of wrestling in the grass, and Luke was laying down on his back with his arms in the air. Claire runs over to him and tries to tickle him by wiggling her little fingers on his tummy. Probably the cutest thing you've ever seen.
- Luke running up and down the sand dunes on our hike like a wild man, stopping just long enough to proclaim, "Michigan is the favoritest thing I want to do."

The 3 hour drive wasn't bad at all, especially in the Baranko's conversion van, with plenty of space and movies.

We stopped at Silver Beach in St. Joseph for the day, which also broke up the drive. The water was so warm and so shallow, the kids loved splashing in the water. Claire especially is ADDICTED to being in the water.

There is a carousel there that the kids took a ride on. Here is Luke coloring one of the carousel horses.

Went to dinner at the Crane's Pie Pantry and brought back all sorts of pie for dessert back to our cabin.

The cabin was at a family resort type place, with some resort amenities like this basketball court. Claire took out each ball one by one and placed them all over the court.

Hustle hustle!

Luke was in heaven with the giant sandbox and sand toys they had there. We visited that sandbox for hours and hours and hours during our 3 day stay there, and probably was Luke's favorite part of the trip. They had just gotten a huge delivery of sand for the beach volleyball court, and Luke used that giant sand pile for his sand box shenanigans.

Hiking in Saugatuck Dunes State Park

Hiked to a beach, and of course Claire wanted right into the water, soaking her little outfit.

Next we went to this huge wooden playground next to the water in South Haven

Like a maze for kids! Not easy chasing this one through all the nooks and crannies, there were dangerous spot so she couldn't be totally on her own (as she would prefer).

Blueberry picking! YUMMMMMMM

Luke was a pro at picking, and even brought his harvesting bucket from home.

"Here Claire Bear…." They both ate sooooo many blueberries. They were so delicious.

The raspberry picking wasn't that great, but Luke and I managed to pick a pint.

While Claire napped and Luke/Matt were at the sandbox, I read and dozed outside. This was my view.

Our 1 bedroom cabin. It was awesome and new and nice. Highly recommend Dollybrook Family Resort.

Dinner in downtown Saugatuck, a very cute little artist town.

I loved the open air dining with all the doors and windows open and late afternoon sun streaming in.

Walking around downtown and looking at the ferry.

This boat was called the "Lukosaurus"

Went to the beach in Saugatuck to catch the sunset.

Claire went right into the water again:)

Beautiful night!

Daddy reading bedtime stories

"Fishing" in the resort's pond while intermittently riding his bike around the grounds (thus the helmet)

Back to the sandbox, again.

The resort had this very unusual "cat house" with like 6 cats.

The cats were all very friendly and the kids loved going to see them.

We went to an organic cheese farm, and after learning all about the goats at the farm we got a cheese tasting and ending up buying a ton of goat cheese and other cow/goat cheese. We loved everything we bought so much that we stopped on our way out of town and picked up some more!

Luke and I went swimming at the resort's pool while Claire napped.

Our chariot - we had those bikes on the back the whole time!

A lazy late afternoon beach trip. This time the wind was really strong so the water wasn't as calm for the kids to play in. So Matt took the opportunity to make elaborate sand tunnels and bridges with them.

She loved the sea gulls. Here she is pointing at one.

Campfire!

The perfect marshmallow. Note Luke in the background riding his bike down the little grassy hill. I'm going to try and embed a video of this feat below.