Our Summer "Vacation" in MI

Summer vacation this year was at my parents house, up north MI.  It was great for the family and Evan loved being outdoors.  Probably because we weren't too concerned with him roaming away since there weren't any other houses or cars for miles!  Here in our non-fenced house, we have to chase him around when he's outdoors and he doesn't get a lot of freedom (that will always be a down-side to living in MI.....a majority of houses do not have fences.  Very frustrating for parents of young kids!). 

The weekend up north was a lot of fun - bonfires, roasting marshmallows, canoe trip, a day on the lake, tractor rides, and lots of nature!  The canoe trip was also Evan's first experience peeing outdoors.  It took some coaching and all of his clothes coming off to make it successful. 



House up north

 Evan & Grandpa relaxing on the deck

Yep, that's Evan!

 Tractor time with Grandpa!  Evan loved the big tractor.

 Waiting for our canoe trip to start

 

Family pic.  Just the three of us plus baby in the belly!

 

 

 I didn't realize how funny I looked until I saw this pic!  Also, why am I paddling and Erik & Evan are just chillin'?

Evan was freaked out at first but by the end of the trip he was leaning over and splashing us.

 

Trying to skip rocks in the water (we all had to watch-out; Evan has bad aim when throwing!). 

My little nature man

 Off on his own little hike

 Roasting marshmallows & hot dogs

 Evan says he likes s'mores, but he usually ended up just eating the chocolate bar.

 The only time he actually listened to me - when I told him to stay far away from the fire (that marshmallow didn't cook well).

 Patiently waiting for Daddy to start the bonfire on night 2.

 We rented a boat on our second day.  The day started off pretty cool/overcast, but ended up hot & sunny!

 Captain Evan

 It's rare that Erik & I have pics just the two of us

 

 

Evan loves his sunglasses, even if they aren't on the right way.

 

Evan really wanted to see a fish.  Daddy & Grandpa tried hard but no luck!

 Swimming at the sand bar.  Getting back into the boat without a ladder was interesting for me!

 

Such a sweet Daddy/son moment.  Evan was so scared of the water at first until he realized he could touch the bottom and throw sand.

 

So tired after the day on the lake.  Passed out with his hand still in the snack bag!

 

We brought home a little tree from my parents property and call it "Evan's tree."  He helped plant it and we really, really hope it grows.  Erik & I are HORRIBLE at planting things...



After our weekend up north, we realized that we need more quiet weekends with no plans, and that some day we need a place of our own to get away to.  And I think Erik wants to take-up hunting.  Isn't that what you do when you move to MI?