Up North Part 2: Beach time!

Of course, any time you go up north, the beaches are the best part!! We stayed in Frankfort on Lake Michigan and spent a lot of time in the sand by the water. The past few years, Brett has been extra cautious near any kind of lake or pool (no matter how many swim lessons he took!) and would barely wade in....but not this year! He was like a fish, running in and out of the water constantly, practicing swimming, and smiling ear to ear the whole time! I have always loved the water and swam quite a bit as a child, so seeing him finally enjoy one of the things I love most made my heart so happy :-) And so far, Camden loves the water too!! 

Kyle and Brett walked out on the pier one afternoon and took a picture of where we stayed. So close to the beach and so perfect!

Camden pulled up for the first time on our Michigan State chair :-)

"Look at me, look at me!!"

Running and jumping through the waves was Brett's favorite part!

Such beauty!

No matter how many naps Camden had missed, or how tired he was, the beach made him laugh and smile every time! 

I loved sitting back and watching these 3 play together :-) The best!

You can't tell in this picture, but Camden's face was covered in sand...yep, he's my little beach baby :-)

 Kyle had recently read about North Bar Beach, one of the most beautiful lakes in Michigan...so of course we had to check it out! It's a small lake that connects to Lake Michigan and is absolutely breathtaking. And as beautiful as the pictures look, they don't do justice! You have to go there yourself!

 Going to the beach and being by the water somehow opens your eyes to what really matters. It's the simple things that bring so much joy!

Up North Part 1: The Point Betsy Lighthouse

Last Thursday- Sunday we took a family vacation up north and stayed in Frankfort. I grew up going to Crystal Lake every summer and I cannot tell you how happy it makes me to be able to take my own family up north now! I love that area so much and still dream about having our own cottage on the lake some day. If you live in Michigan, there is really no better place to be in the summer!!

We did so many fun things while we were there.... visited the Point Betsy Light House, basked in the sun on the beach, climbed the sand dunes, visited Glen Arbor,  explored Frankfort, and more! Below are some of the many pics I took of us exploring near the Point Betsy Lighthouse....something I used to love doing as a child. We would collect tons of rocks to take home for our garden and search and search for Petosky Stones! Such wonderful memories that I love passing on to my boys :-)

Rocks, rocks, and more rocks! Camden even got in on the search...when he wasn't trying to eat them that is!

Love these pics of my boys in the sand! This first one is my absolute favorite :-)

My little beach baby enjoying the wonder of sand!

Kyle searched and searched for Petosky stones with no luck. Brett later found one at another beach though! That means we will be back next year! :-)

Lake Michigan and my boys....not much gets better than that!

8 months old!!

Wow, this month has sure been a busy one for Camden! In just one month, he has gone from rolling across the room to get around to now army crawling everywhere....he has figured out how to move from his tummy back up to a sitting position and vise versa, he is clapping, waving, and even drinking water out of sippy cup! He continues to smile and laugh like crazy and just gets more and more fun by the day! Oh, and I almost forgot....on top of all that, his first two teeth (on the bottom) came in as well! See what I mean? Lots of growing and learning for this little guy!

This photo shoot was a little more challenging this month....because he didn't want to sit still!! So bare with me if some of the pictures are a little blurry! They certainly capture his energetic and happy spirit though :-)

Brett jumped in to help contain him for a few pictures...such a helpful big brother!

And this wooden toy helped too :-)

Then is was time to just let him go....

"Mmmmm, what should I do next..."

"I know! Go after mama's camera!"

That was my sign to be done :-) We then continued to play on the floor for at least another half hour before nap time for both of us!!! Happy 8 month's little guy!!