Big Virginia Vacation!

This is just a cute picture I took of the kids a couple days ago:

We left on July 7 for an 11 day trip to Virgina... the biggest car trip we've ever taken with the kids! We first stopped at Burr Oak State Park in Ohio for 2 nights, did some hiking and relaxing there. Then we drove to Arlington, VA to spend 4 nights with my brother, Dave, and his family. We noticed that there was a scenic railway just off the interstate in Cumberland, MD, so of course we decided (for Jacob's sake) that we should stop and take a ride (even though that meant leaving the park at 6:30 a.m.)

Here are Jacob and Mary waiting for the train to pull into the station:

And some pictures on the train ride:

The train took us on a one-hour ride through the mountains, then stopped at a little town (can't remember the name) for an hour and a half layover. We got to watch them turn the engine around on a turntable to get ready for the trip back to Cumberland:

We got to Arlington around dinner time on Thursday. Mary slept with her cousin Ella (3 1/2 years old) in a tent in the basement. We thought for sure they would giggle and play around, but for 4 nights in a row we didn't hear a peep out of them!

We drove into D.C. a couple of times to do some sight-seeing...

Mary and Ella in matching dresses:

Mary and Ella cooling off in a fountain near the Mall:

The kids had lots of fun in Dave and Christina's backyard, especially in the wading pool:

Uncle Dave and the kids:

Our attempt to get a picture of the cousins all together!

The girls playing "doctor:" (note Hannah imitating in the background)

From Arlington, we drove through the mountains to Harrisonburg, where several of Brian's aunts, uncles, and cousins live. We had a great time there, but we didn't take any pictures!! We especially enjoyed staying with his cousin Randy and wife Patsy (and their two teenage boys who gave up bedrooms for us) and going to the park with his uncle Ken and aunt Kass (recently returned from a 5 year-long mission trip in Beruit).

The last part of our trip was spent in Blacksburg with my aunt Nancy and uncle Gene. My cousin Jenny was also able to come up from her home in Charleston, NC, with her 2 kids. Here are Mary and Ava (3 years old) at "Caboose Park" in Blacksburg:

And Jacob and Jack (5 years old):

What a cute bunch!

The kids really did great on this whole trip- all the time in the car, and sleeping in 4 different locations. Hannah even managed to get in a nap almost every day! It was a good trip for the whole family.

Today is Jacob's birthday...I'll post pictures soon!

Michigan Vacation

We just got back from vacationing in Michigan, near Hart. This was the first time we went by ourselves (without any extended family), and the five of us had a pretty good time! The weather was wonderful- everyone thought it would be too cold in June, but it was perfect for us. Most of the days were sunny and in the 70's, so we were on the beach a lot. Usually we can use the beach right by the cabin, but for some reason this year there was no beach- the lake just ran right up to the dunes. So instead we drove about 10 minutes to Silver Lake State Park and beached by the lighthouse there, which was actually kind of fun, even though not as convenient.

Hannah mostly liked the beach...

Jacob and Mary loved the beach, as usual...

Maybe we're not true beach combers with this tent, but I like to have some shade around.

Little Sable Point Lighthouse:

Wednesday was the only really overcast day, so we chose that day to take a little roadtrip up to Ludington. We stopped at Ludington State Park, where Big Sable Point Lighthouse is. To get to it, you have to walk 1.8 miles on a sandy/gravel road (a 3.6 mile round-trip). We thought, sure no problem. Well, we were definitely questioning our decision when we had to walk back carrying Hannah the whole way, and Mary part of the way. But, it was fun to see the lighthouse.

Enjoying a little rest before the walk back:

Ice cream in Ludington:

Hannah on the deck at the cabin:

More time at the beach:

And this is what Hannah looks like when she's had enough of the beach:

The kids enjoying lunch at the cabin:

Our last day we decided to ride the Mac Woods Dune Ride (a big attraction at Silver Lake). Jacob and Mary have ridden it before, so they were really excited. Hannah did pretty well, sitting between me and Brian, but she didn't want us to hold on to her- she kept pushing us away. It's a pretty wild ride, so I guess she's a daredevil. Here are Jacob and Mary getting ready to start the ride:

The tradition is to take a family picture on the deck at the end of the vacation, so of course we left that to the last minute, when everyone was a little testy and ready to hit the road. Mary decided to be difficult:
But, she finally came around: