Friday, October 15, 2010

hotel pools, eating in bed, and t.v......just a few of my childrens favorite things.

 Six years ago we loaded up our little family and took a road trip.  Isabella was 4 years old, Jack was 2 years old.......


 and William was 6 months old.  And we headed up north to Mackinaw Island. 

 


 We had so much fun with them.  Looking at the pictures made me miss them at that age a little bit.   But then also made me think.....WOW that was a lot of work to take 3 such little kids. It was all we knew, and to us as the years went by the work load got easier. 



 Biking them around the Island might have been more then we bargained for.  It's 8 miles people!!!!   But once we started ~we had to finish.  And let me tell you, that might have been a smile on my face, but it was probably pretty early in the 8 miles.  :)

 Back then we stayed on the main land, and in the evening a double stroller was our saving grace.  We walked to supper and did a little site seeing.  That is a very little bit of site seeing...before people needed their blankies, bottles, and beds.
 Last weekend......
 we did this trip again.  WOW! Was it easier!  This stage is really fun to take a road trip with.  How ironic that last time we went to Mackinaw our oldest was 4 and now this time our youngest was 4~!  They are all potty trained, all sleep through the night, and all of them feed themselves!  I'm not bragging~I'm just stating the facts. :)
 Everything was a novelty to them.  It was fun to feel their excitement about every little thing.  The ferry ride was a huge highlight for them.
 We did an amazing amount of walking.  Probably could have used a stroller some of the time for Suzy.  But how cool everyone else could keep up, and most of the time had to ask the 3 oldest to slow down. 
 On the island we were amazed at all the color.  Flowers are still going crazy and the fall colors are out of control there right now!  This was a little bed & breakfast right off the Main street, that looked pretty quaint. 

 On our way up to the Fort.


 Here is "us", good ol' mom and dad~with the map and taking our time up the hill enjoying the view as we went.  The kids were already firing off cannons by the time we caught up with them. 

 We are missing one from the picture....she was running across the grass screaming and crying saying she's not taking a picture with those guys.  So uncharacteristic of her.  We had a little talk, maybe a spanking and then later Suzy told me she was scared they would shoot her.  We had just watched the cannon being shot, and these were the 2 that did the firing.
 While there, we got some pictures of what we had done 6 years ago....amazing how much changes in six little years. 
 And if you are thinking they do that on their own you are crazy wrong. But they did cooperate for one picture.  I don't think deep down they didn't mind it at all. 

Funny how Isabella can remember all of the fort and the places we went while there.  I hope her sister will too.





 After the fort, we hiked in the State Park that is on the Island.  Until last weekend~ I didn't even know it was there!  There were some amazing views along that trail.  It actually was the very first State Park!

 Arch Rock is one of the scenic spots that we hadn't seen last time we had went. 

 After all that hiking we found an awesome pizza spot right on Main St.!  Loved it!
 Then we headed here, to rent some bikes.
 Breathtaking views, you just can't do them justice with pictures.  But what cool memories!
 Most of the 8 miles around the Island, we again reminded the 2 oldest to wait on us.  Donovan had William on a tandem and I had Suzy in a bike seat.  Funny how 6 years ago we were cursing ourselves for even wanting to bike around the Island, now our oldest can out-bike us. :)
 We stopped for just a while to check out the beach and skip some rocks.

 Jack wanted to take some pictures...while we waited for Donovan to check the bikes back into the rental store.  The picture above was one that turned out well. 
 And then Isabella wanted to take some.....:)

 The last ferry left the Island at 5 p.m. so we had one more stop before we got on the boat.  I think this was the first time my kids had tried fudge. 
 That evening after supper, we drove the bridge.  Of course the kids had a one track mind since our hotel had a pool.  So after the bridge, a bite to eat, we let them live the dream~of hotel pools and eating snacks while on the hotel bed, watching some t.v.  My dream would've been to walk the bridge, maybe a nice sit down meal, and then a magazine or kissing my hubby while snuggled into bed.  But I've seen how fast 6 years can go...and I've plenty of time for those things when I'm gray.  (No offense to the gray haired people.)

Quote of the day:
Jack:  "What is a french kiss again?"
Donovan: "Well........."
Jack: "Is it where you stick your tongue in someone else's mouth?"


8 comments:

Wanita said...

You mean you were just there?! We went to the UP last weekend too :) It was the first time for us...but we did not go to Mackinac Island. Although i really want to go sometime.

I loved all your pictures :) Your kids are total cutie-patooties! It was fun comparing the trips and their age difference. And i'm soo w/ you on the vaca's being easier when they are older! fun post ♥

My Life said...

We went up there two years ago and it was fun, I would love to go up in the fall. You looked like you guys had a blast and no kidding about enjoying all that wonderful relaxing time when we are grey. It still doesn't stop us from wanting tho does it? I know someday we will look back on all these crazy times and wish we had it all back at least that is what I hear. Loved the pics they were great!!

Darla said...

Looks like a great trip. That is someplace we need to take our kids. I don't think I could bike 8 miles.

Grandma Ruby said...

What a fun vacation with your family! A beautiful place. Lovely photos & great memories made with your fun & funny kids. You'll have to go again in 5 years! Love you, Aunt Ruby

Jewel said...

I've been to Mackinac a couple of times. Ben has been there once. But we haven't been there together yet! It's one of our places that we want to go to...together!

Cindy said...

Love the pictures! But please don't tell me that you went to Mackinac Island WITH kids and didn't take them to the Butterfly House!? Our 22 & 20 year old still love going there, and having butterflies sitting on them! Even after at least 6 visits! What a great idea to go in the fall, I bet it was beautiful!

RosyRose said...

O Heather love all your pictures! So glad you could have family time on the great island! And the ferry was one of my kids favorites as well!

sherri said...

What a fun little trip you had and if I remember right, the weather was amazing that weekend.

Loved the pictures!