Michigan in July

We had an awesome time in Michigan! I had so many pictures, hopefully these will show what a fun time we had and spotlight cool activities the kids did this summer.

The kids were super happy to try McDonald's Happy Meals.  We stopped there for lunch the first day. 

We drove up to pick up Grandpa from the Denver airport.  He was gracious enough to drive to Michigan with us!  It's a good thing he did because I got horrible motion sickness.  We stopped at a hotel at about 10pm and continued our trip the next day.

The kids did great! They slept in the van and did not fuss at all.  I had packed surprises for along the way and Andrew would yell, "More suprises!"  He also watched the movie Space Jam on the IPad about five times.

Happy to be in Olivet, Michigan!

Grandma made some yummy pancakes for breakfast

This bird nest is on Grandma and Grandpa's front porch.  We watched five little baby birds grow bigger and eventually fly from the nest.  In the picture we only see three, but the other two are cuddled in the nest, safe and sound.  

We were able to go to the Eaton County Fair for the second year in a row!  We saw lots of animals like chicks and ducks.

We pet a cute, soft bunny.

We also watched Jared and Justice show their cows.  It was extremely hot and humid.  We felt like we were melting and didn't stay too long.  But Andrew would never leave a fair without stopping to see the tractors.

They love Grandpa!

A beautiful Michigan sunset

Playing outside.  We loved having so much yard to run around and play in at Grandma and Grandpa's house.

Cody and Claire were so much fun to play with too!!

Andrew and Sylvia also loved Lily!

We visited Uncle Mike and Aunt Kathy's new house.  We had visited when they were building it last year.  It is so beautiful!

Aunt Kathy's cute fairy garden

Hanging out on the porch

Andrew loves Grandma

Andrew and Sylvia played in the play house almost every day.  Despite the fact that it was sweaty hot in the afternoon.

The cool kiddie pool Grandma and Grandpa set up for the kids.

I was able to help with a bridal shower for a friend while in Michigan.  The couple is very outdoorsy so they used the tent to decorate.  It was very well done.

Andrew practiced riding a bike.  He hasn't quite mastered the pedaling yet.

One evening we kayaked on Pine Lake.  It was really fun! 

We brought the kids with us and they didn't quite know what to think at first.

By the end, they both were in the water floating around and were very sad to leave.

Grandpa snuggle time

For the first few weeks we were there, Andrew used Bennett's room.  Here the kids are relaxing with Lily.

Andrew also got to play with Uncle Bennett's toys.  He wanted a Lincoln Log city.

We always love to visit Mooville, the best ice cream around.

The kids got Superman ice cream.

Watch out for your ice cream, Grandpa!

Mooville has farm animals and a big sand pit with tractors to play with... the kids were in heaven.

Grandpa took the hiking backpack for a few walks around town with us because he was getting in shape for his hiking adventure with Justice up in Canada.

Then the aunts and uncles arrived!  Uncle Bennett is crazy!

Ready for breakfast

We went to Lake Michigan with everyone the day after Jared's wedding.  It was so hot that weekend so it was a perfect day to go swimming.

The kids had a blast.  They were swimming in the lake a ton.  Andrew surprised everyone by kicking his legs and practicing swimming so much even though he was scared to even go in the water at first.  We also climbed a big sand dune and ran down it.

Andrew was tired from all the swimming, here is isn't sleeping, but playing in the sand while laying down.

Reading bedtime stories with Uncle Bennett.  He always does funny voices for the characters.  When everyone was in town and then for the remainder of our time in Michigan, the kids and I stayed in Uncle Sam's room in the basement. We put two pack and plays in there after Andrew unsuccessfully shared a bed with me. 

Playing with Justice in nursery

The newlyweds over for dinner and some games

Aunt Kat is giving Sylvia tickles

We saw a skunk one evening!  We actually saw three this time and not only on one occasion.

Grandma and Grandpa took us to the Binder Park Zoo.  It was so much fun, the zoo had a lot of places to see and explore.

A peacock mom and babies

Andrew fed the giraffe! He wasn't as scared this time, compared to when we fed them with the Stinsons back in June.

Grandma and Grandpa also took Andrew and I to see the movie Finding Dory.  Sylvia stayed home with the aunts and uncle.

Snuggling

Hunter, Camille's then boyfriend (now fiance), came to visit too.  Here Justice is grilling Hunter on his intentions with Camille and other embarrassing questions.  It was pretty funny and Hunter was a good sport about it.

We also spent some time up north at Aunt Diane and Tom's house.  Here Tom took us for a ride in the Ranger through the woods.  Aunt Kat is about to join us.

Enjoying yummy food with family

We played lots of fun games up north too.

Hanging out on the porch

Gabriel and Cami are wining the Frisbee game!  The house is located on beautiful property and gave everyone a chance to play outside and enjoy the time together.

The cute (newly engaged!!) couple after tubing down the river.

It was a great Judd family reunion at Tom and Diane's and we'd love to attend more in the future.

That evening we drove back in time for fireworks in Olivet for the annual Fireman's Festival.  The kids hated the fireworks so we walked back to Grandma and Grandpa's house post haste.

Silly-bia getting Grandpa

The kids convinced Margaret to push them around in the wheel barrow.

Having fun with Uncle Bennett and Aunt Margaret.

What is a Michigan summer with smores?

I'd like s'more says Sylvia

A fun bonfire in the backyard

Helping Grandpa bake.  Sylvia wants a taste

Big hugs for Grandma! 

See more pictures from our Michigan trip in the following blog post...