Wow - so what if we went on vacation in JULY!
So what if I am JUST NOW getting around to this posting!
Better late than never!
It has been about four months since we headed up north for a few weeks to Nana Julie and Papa Dave's house on Lake Michigan for some summer fun and I am JUST NOW getting this posted! Scene setter: The four of us flew up on the 5th of July...and the kids didn't return to us until the end of the month! That's right - we LEFT THEM with the grandparents for TWO weeks! And they loved it...of course...
I have at least 500 pictures on this post so I will keep the commentary minimal...
The first day we showed up we immediately headed down to the beach to get our toes in the (unseasonably) freezing waters of Lake Michigan.
Johnny B. LOVED the water...to the point where we couldn't take our eyes off of him for five seconds for fear he would walk right in on his own!
And the boys saw their first summer sunset on day one...success!
The next morning we went down to the beach again for some fun in the sun and waves...the boys just loved hanging out, digging in the sand, running through the waves, and collecting rocks!
Then we headed into Traverse City for the annual Cherry Festival Air Show...the boys were very excited...and the weather was gorgeous!
The ice cream faces - not so gorgeous...
While we all enjoyed the show, John proceeded to sleep through the entire thing...to include fighter jets, F-18s, and Blue Angels basically dive bombing the bay...NOTHING woke him up....not even the loudest afterburner noise you have ever heard!
So that was a super full day...as were the rest of them!
The next day we headed to Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore - to Sleeping Bear Dunes...and what a great time we had!
I put this picture in so you can see John's serious face...
And then we began to climb the face...Will (very easily) beat us all to the top...
I love this pic with the sky and clouds...
John, Billy and Papa Dave brought up the rear...
And we finally all made it to the top!
But we weren't done there...we proceeded to head up a secondary dune and do some serious jumping....check out Willy B...
Surprisingly, and thankfully, John was not into the jumping bit but did try some running down the dunes after a while...
And when his legs could not longer keep up with his momentum and he tipped over...
He didn't let it stop him...he quickly transferred his running to a roll...and believe me - he had sand EVERYWHERE before the day was over...
Here are our two boys WAAAAAY up high...
And a sweet photo w/ their mama :)
And as we headed back to the car - we stopped for a few more jumps (check out Will entering the frame on the left)
The fam :)
The boys...
And then it was time to run down the face! I'm surprised Will didn't totally go head over heels...he came close a few times!
And then the rest of us went down....slowly....
After some lunch, ice cream, and a nap - we headed out to Suttons Bay for some beach time...check out Johnny Boomtastick...he has major beach attitude...MAJOR!
We buried Will (of course)...
And I somehow captured some great smiles from a kid who is always too ninja serious to cheese for the camera...so yes, I am putting them all in this post...
Look at this handsome guy - digging, building, repeat!
Billy built a Ninjago sandcastle for the boys....
Will built a sandcastle, which not surprisingly, was the most symmetrical sandcastle ever...
Billy headed back to Texas after the end of the first week so it was up to me and the grandparents to entertain the kids...We took them to Pierce Stocking - a 400+foot overlook of Lake Michigan with incredible views...but....not this day haha! 
The morning we made the drive there, a crazy cold front came through - temperatures dropped about 20 degrees and the fog/front rolled on in...but apparently there was enough sun in this photo to annoy both the kids...haha...check their squinting little eyes :)
This might be the funniest (or maybe just the most ironic) picture of the vacation.
What you DON'T see behind me is beautiful Lake Michigan...
Johnny an Will had some fun, regardless of the chilly weather, racing up and down dunes, trails, discovering cool things etc...
After that very busy/chilly, morning - We napped then headed to the beach in Leland for some fun in the sun :)
After supper we headed downstairs to Nana and Papa's beach and made our memory footprint :)
And caught an amazing sunset...
The next day we headed back to the dunes - and again, were lucky to have gorgeous weather!
This time; however, John was not interested at all in making the trek on his own - so I had to assist...and I've got to tell you, it is not an easy task carrying a 2 1/2 year old up a giant sand dune that is about 300 feet high!
When we got to the top - Will practiced his best Pete Rose sliding skills...
And then after a few, we raced down for some lunch!
Also not easy - running down the dune with a 2 1/2 year old haha!
Before lunch the kids had a blast feeding some (super fattened up by the summer tourists) sea gulls...
Which Nana of course encouraged, and thought was the best thing ever...my favorite little bird lady :)
That afternoon we headed back to the beach where Papa Dave and Will told some post lunch stories and checked out some boating life...
And when John woke up - the three guys were off doing their crazy antics again in the water...
Again - that night we had an awesome sunset to top off the busy day!
The kids just love Nana and Papa's beach - and yes, John lost his pants at some point...not sure where exactly...haha!
And their beach makes for awesome sunsets - sometimes that resemble hamburgers :)
But the inland lake beaches are also awesome (and a lot warmer!)
Here is Will perfecting his frisbee throw...
One morning we woke up and it was absolutely FREEZING! Solution? Pirates Cove miniature golf!
The boys had a ball - they really love putt putt - and John takes it very seriously...
It was an awesome way to spend a chilly morning!
Argh!
After lunch we hit up the Children's Museum where the kids hung out in a light house...
Checked out the playscapes...(why does Johnny remind me of a little gerbil here haha!)
And learned all about the flow of water...
The next day we hit the beach for some breakfast and playtime...
John and Papa Dave checked out some of the 8 year old's sailing club boats - I can't wait til our kids are old enough :)
Then it was time for some fun in the water...
And on the beach too of course :)
At the end of they day we headed home for another glorious sunset...I could really get used to living here!
The next day we packed into the car for the annual drive out to the point - Northport Point that is - to check out the Grand Traverse Light House. Papa Dave was John's personal transportation, as usual...
Will and Billy completed the scavenger hunt, making their way all the way to the top - see them?
Then we headed down some of the trails to the beach...
After lunch we met up with Auntie Em in Northport and hung out for HOURS...
Look at this adorable noggin :)
Our kids placated to my needs - allowing us to bury them (I really don't know why I enjoy this so much - but I do :) )
The next day we went to Leland for one more beach day with Billy before he headed for home...
Will perfected dock jumping ;)
And Johnny just kept on loving the water - he is such a little fish!
The day Billy headed home, we took it easy - just hanging around the house and doing the usual, you know, like hand feeding my mom's friendly chipmunks :)
And chilaxing at the beach :)
On MY final day of vaca, a week after Billy left, we hit the links one more time in Traverse City before I left the kiddos for TWO, yes TWO weeks alone with the grandparents!
And I would have been remiss if I didn't give a final shout out to Jude ... I gave her my usual hug and kiss good bye - this goo old girl turned FOURTEEN in August :)
Ok, a long awaited post complete! Instagram photos coming soon!
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