Over Memorial Day weekend we visited Steph’s mom and grandma in Michigan (Traverse City). We stayed at the Sugar Beach Hotel (right on East Grand Traverse Bay) – so we had plenty of sand, water, and pool stuff to do. It was wonderful weather (mainly in the low to mid 80s). The boys were very good on the flights and during the trip. Great Grandma enjoyed seeing her great grandkids – they entertained her for hours.
In Steph’s words…
We went to Traverse City, Michigan over the Memorial Day weekend. We left early on Saturday morning. The boys were very excited to visit Grandma and Great Grandma. My mom was already in Michigan visiting her mother. My Grandma (the boys Great Grandma) had only seen Zach when he was 8 months old, and had never met Nate. Needless to say, she was excited.
Caught a flight out of Seattle to Chicago on United. We boarded the plane between first class and coach. The flight attendants immediately asked if the boys wanted to see the cockpit. Paul immediately yelled, “YES!” Both Nate and Zach got a chance to sit up in the cockpit and I got their pictures. Paul wished we could have spent more time in the cockpit. As we left, we walked through first class and Zach said, “I want to sit here.” Me too, kiddo. Me too. They boys got their “wings” on the flight. Zach insisted on wearing his wings on every outfit for the rest of the trip. I had to convince him that he could not wear them on his jammies.
Zach sat with me on the plane and Nate with Paul. I had got them both backpacks prior to the trip and they enjoyed carrying them through the airport and getting their toys and books in and out of them. Zach was easy on the plane, once we were cleared to watch movies. I guess Nate slept some and mainly played with his headphones. We had an hour layover in Chicago. They were tired, but hung on. During the hour short flight from Chicago to Traverse City, they both mainly just looked out the window. Zach and I also spent a lot of time looking at his “I Spy” book.
The time spent in Michigan was a lot of fun. Fortunately, we had WONDERFUL weather. 80 degrees and great beach weather. My Aunt Betsy and Uncle Bob came out for a visit at Grandma’s. Uncle Bob brought Central Michigan hats for the boys (“Go Chippawas!”). Grandma and Great Grandma had some hula hoops and other toys ready for them. Fortunately, we could play outside a lot in the nice weather instead of destroying the house.
We spent time at the beach. It was beautiful being able to sit in a chair with our toes in the water and bask in the sun. The boys loved playing in the water and the sand – getting wet and dirty. We also spent a lot of time in the indoor hotel pool. Zach wasn’t into the pool at the start, but then loved it. He is so tall, he could walk half the distance of the pool before it got too deep. Other highlights included riding the Carousel at the Grand Traverse Mall. I guess my mom has been trying to find an excuse to ride that thing for years, and finally had a reason with the boys visiting. The boys got great farmer tans on the trip. They both look more blond than when we left.
Overall, it was a really fun trip. Kids were good on the planes on the way back. It was almost a disaster since our first flight was an hour late – such that we would have missed our connection. But that plane was late too! Never been happier to have a delayed flight. Great Grandma got to have fun watching the boys play with bubbles and balls and other toys. She watched them eat a ton of food – especially fruit. And also now knows why it is never quiet in my house when she calls.
Next trip is Summer Camp at Lake Chelan. Cannot wait. I like vacations!
Now for some photos.
Definitely a wonderful place to relax, enjoy the sun, and play in the water…hope to be back soon.