Please notice the Margaritas and Tuscan Lemonade in the background, this was before dinner and we kept laughing that we weren't actually going to make it to dinner!
We love playing games on vacation. The Erkers are pretty great at Scrabble and Cranium (though Dave and I held our own in 2nd place!) and my Mom and Dave introduced me to Mexican Train during a "no beach day" afternoon. I was hooked! It is a Dominoes game and it was really fun...we played all night and all afternoon the next day, we just couldn't stop! Connor loved the game too, especially the pieces! He was staring at them in the bottom picture, plotting which ones he was going to try and eat!
We could not have asked for better weather this week - it was perfect. The days were hot, but not too hot, and the nights were that cool, crisp fall-like weather. We had just finished up dinner and were able to (as a huge group, we took up the whole street!) stop and admire this gorgeous sunset. This is the street we usually stay on, Lakeshore Drive, we opted for the Celtic Cottage on Center Street this year though! We caught a few great pictures of the actual sunset, but my group pictures did not turn out as the flash was not on! I was kind of sad, but I think I can steal one from MP! Look at Uncle Bubba corrupting our sweet innocent little man...he was just reaching out for that beer can! I am sure he won't do that again until he is 21, right?! :)
Sitting at the big boy table, playing with his toys!
I enjoy vacation for so many reasons, but one of them is being able to go out and try new restaurants. We have one restaurant we always go to in Michigan, The Butler, for a "Butler Burger" and each year we try and sample some place new. This year we found The Saugatuck Brewing Company and it was pretty good! We laughed though as they had a small menu and were out of burgers the day we were there - but the pork and fish sandwiches were quite delicious themselves. Connor was PRECIOUS, he sat at the end of the table in his little booster seat and entertained himself. We have a picture of the whole group (on Gerard's camera) and you can barely see his little head above the table, its pretty funny! He was just too cute and such a sweet, easy little man to take to dinner!
Getting ready for the beach! Getting out of the car seat and into the Bjorn! Cute Piggy Toes in the Sand :) hanging out on the towel, watching the big boys on the wave runners :) i think this could be my favorite picture - superman with sand on the face :) i don't think i could love this child any more than I do... just hanging out! i love this one...i have another shot without my hand in it, but i just thought it was cute. he is my little man staring at the big body of water. uncle bubba and c-man just drying off after a dip! he was just the best...he had fun just hanging out under his sunshade, playing in the pool and the sand. he really is the best little man and we are just head over heels in love!
Connor man LOVES the water and I had a sneaky suspicion that the Lake was going to be too cold, so Granny found this little pool we brought with us. Not only did we bring it with us, we lugged 2 gallons of tap water down all the previously mentioned stairs to fill up this pool for the little bugster! He loved it and couldn't get enough of splashing around in the water. He was laughing at everyone's conversations :) That is how momma socialized...I sat next to Connor Man and the pool and chatted with those around me :) All he wanted to do was get his cute little fingers over the side of the pool and into the sand! I thought he was going to like the water more than the sand, but he was all about digging in the sand...I love it! He did this all by himself, turned around and reached out of the pool, he is just too big for me too handle!
P.S. - These pictures are driving me crazy! On the computer they are fine, but they are fuzzy for some reason on the blog....GR!
This little man LOVES, LOVES, LOVES to play outside. He likes to watch the leaves blowing on the trees, watch cars drive by...you name it, if its outside, he loves it! I was so excited for him to have a week on the beach to just play around, splash in the water and feel the sand on his tootsies...I just wasn't sure what exactly he would think about the sand. HE LOVED IT, he was trying to put in his mouth by the fistfuls, he had in on his face, in his hair, between his toes, he just loved it. I had a whole bunch of different toys for him to play with...this and the water squirters were his favorite! Being the sweet pea he is, just sitting there playing under his tent. He just played around, screeching in delight during his many trips to the beach! Smiling at Granny! I would say that Day 1 in the sand were a success! Um, yes, in case you were wondering that is our sweet precious child SITTING by himself. He mastered that milestone while we were in Michigan and he is so proud of himself...I think equally as proud as his momma, daddy and granny are!
Ah, so much to blog about! We spent a wonderful week in Michigan with the lovely Erker Family. It is somewhat of a tradition for the family, and one that I hope we keep in tact every year from here on out. Douglas, Michigan is a hot spot for St. Louis families and we were so excited to take Connor on his first trip of many. Bj wasn't able to make this trip as he was busy opening up new restaurants all over town, but we can't wait to take him next year! We had a great time and I have TONS, I am talking TONS of pictures...so be prepared! Instead of breaking it down by day, I broke it down by activity...so I hope you enjoy! For some reason the pictures are coming up a little fuzzy on my computer...hopefully not on everyone else's though! Connor was pretty great on his first week long vacation...he loved the beach, the sand and was a total party animal. He had some trouble sleeping but we figured out his bed wasn't very comfy, switched it, and he was good to go!
The first day we made a trip to the Farmers Market. I love, love, love Farmers Markets and it is one of the things I look most forward to in the summer. All of the fresh food and the flowers, I won't buy flowers anywhere but the FM and they did not disappoint in Michigan. We stocked up on some yummy foods and had delicious dinners a few nights!
Emory, Katy, Mom, MP, Me and C-Man
Uncle Bubba and his Godson!
Snoozing away...he didn't last long, he wanted to get up and see all of the excitement!! He was so cute...just looking around, hanging out.
See, beautiful, huh?
This was just crazy...all of those are radishes! Okay...on to the next adventure!
We are so blessed to have our little family, have moved back to St. Louis, and are enjoying "learning" our way through parenting. Check back regularly as we are always on the go and up to something!
Please notice the Margaritas and Tuscan Lemonade in the background, this was before dinner and we kept laughing that we weren't actually going to make it to dinner!
We love playing games on vacation. The Erkers are pretty great at Scrabble and Cranium (though Dave and I held our own in 2nd place!) and my Mom and Dave introduced me to Mexican Train during a "no beach day" afternoon. I was hooked! It is a Dominoes game and it was really fun...we played all night and all afternoon the next day, we just couldn't stop! Connor loved the game too, especially the pieces! He was staring at them in the bottom picture, plotting which ones he was going to try and eat!
Cute Piggy Toes in the Sand :)
I had a whole bunch of different toys for him to play with...this and the water squirters were his favorite!
