Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Mt. Pisgah

Near Lake Michigan, there is a stairway, overlook, and hiking area called Mt. Pisgah. We had never been there, although I had always heard it was a really neat place to go (and get a good workout from all the climbing!).

I took the girls there one Sunday, and then we went as a family on a Saturday morning that was a little cooler.

Climbing up

Checking out the view of Lake Macatawa and Lake Michigan before going on the trails behind the dunes




Reading maps

Little hikers


Heading up with Ryan





Hiking


 
This one needed to be carried down. ;)

This might be a new favorite place! :D

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

"Camp Mem" and Fourth of July

Just before the 4th of July weekend, I had three days of training for school, so the girls went to stay with my mom for "Camp Mem" while Ryan and I worked.

They went to the zoo (twice), made crafts, ate out, watched a movie at the theater...and so much more! In fact, at the end of each day, they wrote out all the fun they had on a little chart... :)

This was one of the pictures I got while they were at "camp"... cuties at the zoo!

When we arrived Thursday evening, we heard all about their three days with Mem, and the next morning, they wanted to go back to Binder. :)

Face painting - little kitties :)




I love the little critters

Checking out "Africa". Love the wide open views.











Zoo + later nights = one cashed out little Camryn :) She slept for almost 3 hours after we got back!

Ryan, Taylor, and Camryn all fell asleep, so Mem and I had a little quiet time to put up our feet by the lake together. :)



First night of s'mores!



Later that night, Jeff, Jen, Tess and Abbey arrived - so breakfast with cousins happened the next morning :)


And coloring

And reading in the "library" (as Taylor calls it)


And swimming











And tie dye fun







And napping (Camryn fell asleep on me each afternoon! I might have loved it.)


And balloon watching


And air show watching

(The planes made the shape of a heart :-))

And picnic lunches




And more s'mores









And kayaking





And boat parades


And one last attempt at a cute picture of four cousins who were all a little tired out from all the weekend fun.  Maybe next time.... ;-)




What a fun 4th of July!