A weekend "home"

Our home away from home is up in Ludington, MI. It's the small quaint town that I grew up in and Lee spent several years of his life there also. Both our parents currently live there as well as Lee's grandma and a few other relatives. I was reading a magazine about Ludington and what makes it famous. Here's the list: The largest and most visited state park in MI (it has 9 miles of beach on Lake Michigan, borders another lake, Lake Hamlin, and has a beautiful lighthouse, among other things), The Lake Michigan Car Ferry, the Ludington Lighthouse and beautiful public beach, etc., etc. Growing up I never thought much of it, but I've come to appreciate it's beauty and love being up there whenever we get the chance.

Lee's family all finally togetherFamily Reunion #4Over the weekend we had Family Reunion #4 and #5. We spent Saturday at the state park, playing games, swimming, eating (WAY TOO MUCH), and celebrating an early birthday for several people, including Isabel. Isabel experienced sand for the first time and loved it, and surprisingly she didn't even try to eat it. A highlight was being able to see several of Lee's cousins (including my best friend Audrey) and their kids. We had fun just hanging out and doing family stuff. Lee's cousin Katie was so generous and bought all the kiddos coordinating outfits, so we were able to get some cute pictures of them all. Do you know how hard it is to get 5 kids under the age of four to all not only smile but look at you at the same time? At least we got a few where they were all looking.

Isabel loved the Birthday cake

I love Isabel's face in this picture. Her cousin, Juliana, is pouring water down her back:)Sunday we had another reunion with the Nordine family. It was special being at my home church because the youth pastor I grew up with, Jim Schultz, was doing a special concert before he and his family move on to CA. He has been at my home church for 19 years, so it was an emotional farewell. After church we all went to China Buffet for lunch. We had our own private room (we needed one) and again just enjoyed the fellowship. Audrey and I were requested to sing our famous "three bears" song and the kids loved it. We told them we could only sing it once because they couldn't afford to pay us to sing it twice:)

Monday we saw Lee's sister Martha off on the Lake Michigan Car Ferry. It goes across Lake Michigan to WI. Then she was headed back to her home in MN. We also visited some unique and pretty cool, the Amber Elk Ranch. You ride this wagon into where they keep the elk. They come right up to you and you get to feed them. It was really amazing that these huge creatures were so tame. Isabel wasn't too sure about letting them eat out of her hand, but she loved watching them. They also had a petting zoo at the ranch and that was fun for all the kids. Isabel made friends with the goats until one went "maaaaa" right in her face and made her cry. Only a few minutes later though, she made up and was friends with the goats again.

Monday evening we spent a little while at the beach. It was a blast. Isabel loved the water, sand, and waves. There is really no place on earth like it. Lake Michigan on a pretty day is breathtaking.Grandpa and Grandma Carlson had just returned from a trip to Hawaii to celebrate a church they started there 35 years ago. It was fun for Isabel too see them again also. She was also blessed to have them bring her back many cute Hawaiian momentos:)

A trip to Ludington is not complete without go-cart racing and eating Dairy Queen:) We did them both!