Pure Michigan

As we were trying to plan for our vacation, the same thought kept crossing our minds, "Where do you go with a one year old"? Ryan and I both had fond memories of time spent in Michigan (and are in love with the "Pure Michigan" commercials) so that is where we ended up. We stayed 4 nights just outside of Grand Rapids and filled our days with the zoo, the beach and side trips to Holland and Grand Haven. We planned to go at just the right time, catching an annual arts and crafts show in Holland (even though it was shortened by rain) and the tail end of the Coastguard Festival in Grand Haven and saw some spectacular fireworks. I am going to sum up our trip with a top ten list, split two ways.

Five things I loved while on vacation:
1. Spending entire days with my two boys.
2. Getting to do things we normally don't do-like sleeping in, eating out, and letting Nate sleep in bed with us. (Really this only happened because he threw a royal FIT one night, but redeemed himself the next morning by looking adorably cute sleeping right next to me).
3. The fact that my husband *patiently* waited as I checked out the different vendors goodies at the arts and crafts festival, even though I know he hated every minute of it.
4. Sitting with Nathan under a tree along a river watching Ryan fish.
5. And this last one is purely me-getting to read a "trashy" magazine while soaking up the sun.

Five things I learned while on vacation:
1. When you stop feeding toddlers delecious cake (like Arnies, for example-yes, Uncle Mark, we went...we had to!) they usually do not like this and will scream and cry for more. Put this down in the record books as Nathan's first official "tantrum" in a resturaunt. I actually had to take him outside.
2. Beaches have sand. And sand gets EVERYWHERE!!!
3. It is impossible to feed a one year old organic food while on vacation if you don't bring it with you. At least I'll know for next time!
4. Fireworks start when it is really dark. This is usually after babies bed time. Babies who are forced to sit for long periods of time, waiting for fireworks that may or may not go off because it may or may not be too windy, but the cop directing traffic doesn't know anything yet, and we have been sitting waiting for an hour and a half already, should we just go? but what if they start? will probably be cranky.
5. Nathan does NOT like the feel of grass or sand. At all.
Here are some of our favorite photos:



Nathan napping at the zoo



Nate and Ry enjoying the peaceful scenery



Hanging out with mommy



Fishin



Nathan's first Jimmy Johns sandwhich. Not my proudest moment.



Trying to capture a family photo waiting for fireworks



Okay, so he wasn't exactly a fan of the beach at first...



but he warmed up to the idea.



Our last meal before heading home. Nathan is starting to become VERY vocal when it comes to food. This was almost another one for the books!