Mackinac Trip

We just returned from a lovely family vacation to Mackinac City and the Upper Peninsula for our last hoorah before Jason starts school on Tuesday. Some of the things we did were: going to the indoor water park, though we didn't actually go in it since the loud splashing and huge buckets of water scared Victoria and Karissa, swimming in our hotel's indoor pool instead (which was the perfect temperature!), playing in the sand at Lake Huron, playing at the park, eating yummy food and desserts, hiking Tahquemenon Falls, visiting Soo Locks, visiting a lighthouse, and miniature golfing. We stayed up way too late each night, but at least the kids slept in somewhat, even Austin!

The best parts about the trip were: having fun with the family, walking around the town to our activities in perfect 70 degree sunny weather, seeing 4 of the Great Lakes, and paying a very good price for our hotel!

I suggest you come to Michigan, not just to see us, but to visit this little dream vacation area. We had a lake front hotel that inlcuded a full free breakfast, and huge jacuzzi tub, a balcony (not facing the water though), and access to a free indoor water park for $69 a night! It was the Hamilton Inn, but all the hotels in the area had good prices like that. Now, if you wanted to stay on the island, you'd pay more, but we felt we were living life pretty good at our hotel, so come and try it out!

Funny moment:
When we first got to the smooth lake, we unpacked the sand toys and started playing at the water's edge. Suddenly, the ferry boat that takes people to and from the island came whizzing up to the loading area, about 40 yards away from us, and turned around to back into the dock. It caused all these 2-3 ft. waves, which, when you're two, seem pretty big when you're at the water's edge! I was helping Karissa wash off her hands in the water, so luckily I was able to lift her out of the way quickly, but when I turned, I saw all the sand toys, and Austin's carseat (with him in it!), in the midst of all the water and floating away! Actually, as I looked, Austin wasn't floating away, but I thought he would! So we quickly gathered all the sand toys and Karissa stayed far from the water for a long time!

Austin Update:
On our trip, he had his 3 month birthday. He has started rolling over more, is quick to smile and laugh, and he weighs 14.5 lbs! That's 2.5 lbs. more than Victoria at that age!