Charlevoix and Mackinac Island vacation

We headed up to Charlevoix, Michigan on Wednesday morning, thinking we'd spend a couple of days at the beach, the hotel pool, and biking.  

 

 

Here's Kendall ride that we borrowed from some friends.  With the exception of wearing her helmet, she really likes riding.

 

 Caleb and Josie took turns on the tag-a-long with Kyle...the other one rested in the trailer behind me and Kendall.

 Interesting choice, Caleb.

 

 Sleeping on the beach (thanks, Janet for the little tent...it worked out great, though we looked like idiots trying to figure out how to fold it back up.)

 

Poolside applesauce

The splashpad in charlevoix right by the harbor.  Beautiful.

 Thursday night, we picked up pizza and ate in a park.  The bay area orchestra was giving a free concert in the park that night, so we thought we'd try sitting through a couple of songs.  These 2 got a little cozy during the concert.

We decided Friday morning to head to Mackinac Island since the kids all seemed to like their bike positions and we were already most of the way there.  Kendall was a happy camper the whole day, even without a great place to nap.  It was mid-fifties and rainy most of the day but we still managed to have a pretty good time.  The kids loved spotting the horse poop.

If it was a nicer you could see the amazing view from the governors mansion. 

Riding the Island, pre-rainstorm

Kyle took the day off from architecture to build this rock tower.  He let the kids help a little.  

What to do when it rains on Mackinac:  annoy some store clerks

 

Visiting Fort Mackinac.  pictured with some random pretend soldier, John, who's quick to tell that his official rank is musician.  (Pretend musician?)

 Kids with guns

Celebrations

 We recently headed to a park to feed the ducks and play for awhile in celebration of school being out for the summer

 This one is thrilled to celebrate walking with assistance of a walker toy.  She's addicted and getting quite good at it.

We celebrated Josie's 4th birthday (I can't believe she's 4 already) with grandpa and grandma V on Thursday night.  She got this beautiful princess dress which she then wore all day Friday, studying how it sparkled in the sun when she ran, biked, swang and twirled.

 This is her princess Ariel cake for her second celebration with the K side at the cottage

 there's tapping a pinata...

 ...and there's smashing it.  I'm pretty sure this is the blow that made the first break

 Happy Father's day!

We went to Binderpark zoo on somewhat of a whim (we intended to go on Mother's day, but it was about 45 degrees that day).  It was a nice way to spend the afternoon, and Caleb and I got to feed the giraffe's.  The newly 4 yr old was a little scared of the huge, slimy, purple tongues. 

Kindergarten graduation and a long, busy but fun day...

Our day started with Caleb's kindergarten graduation at 8:45, then we headed out for a late breakfast with Abbie and the 3 kids to celebrate.  After going home for a while to let Kendall take a nap, we went to a park for a couple of hours (it was SUCH a nice day), then came home to play with neighborhood friends right up until dinner.  In the evening, we went to Caleb's busdriver's house (she invited all the families of kids on her bus) to see a 4H dogshow and ride horses.  Then, over to the neighbors house for celebrating a birthday with cake and sparklers.  I'm exhausted and hoping the kids are too--at least enough to sleep in a little...?