The Ice Cream Tour Continues

Even though we weren't in Traverse City tonight, we were able to find some ice dream in Leland. Two things should not be a surprise from this picture. First, Connor loved it. Second, he was a mess!!

Just hanging around

The boys took a break from Fishtown to hangout on a really big anchor...

Evening in Leland

We spent this evening in Leland. We had a great time walking around the "Fishtown" after a great dinner. Here's Connor just chillin' as he leans up against a MASSIVE tree.

Amazing Dune View II

This is a view of the side of this amazing dune from the overlook. Simply amazing.

An amazing dune

Unfortunately, this picture simply does not do this dune justice. It is amazing and almost frightening to look down the overlook to the bottom of this dune and Lake Michigan. Connor and Ryan were taking their afternoon naps, so James made the trip first with his Dad and then eighth his Mom.

Great day at Sleeping Bear Dunes

Today was a great day at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. If you haven't been here , you really can't believe the beauty OR that you are in Michigan. This is the view from the Empire Bluff hike where we started our visit.

Evening at the Beach

After a tough round miniature golf and a stop at the ice cream shop, Connor wanted to play at the playground at the State Park beach. That lasted about 5 minutes and then the boys began the search for shells in Lake Michigan. They loved it! They weren't able to stay away from the freezing Lake Michigan water, but they loved it anyway!

The three Allison hikers

The Allison boys take a minute to relax after finishing the Skyline Trail. A rare moment when none of them were moving!

Ludington SP - Skyline Trail

We hiked the Skyline Trail the first night we were at Ludington. It is really a unique trail. It is a boardwalk trail, but it is on the top of a ridge. As you can see, the views of the dunes and Lake Michigan are really nice.

Kristy and Ryan

Just a great picture of Kristy and Ryan. Although it may be hard to tell from most of our pictures, Kristy is with us on The Great North Adventure. Here is a picture to prove it! This was at our new favorite ice cream shop in
Traverse City.

A great ending to a great day

Our first night in Traverse City meant a much anticipated return to civilization. We had dinner at the Blue Tractor in downtown Traverse City followed by miniature golf at Pirate Cove (yes, the boys' favorite), and finished with ice cream at a great spot to watch the sunset over West Bay. The place even had an incredible playground to ourselves to end the evening. Our biggest problem continues to the the Eastern Time Zone. We continue to stay up to long having fun, sleeping late, and getting our days off to late starts... Oh well, it is vacation!!

Ryan Just chillin' @ Hamlin Lake

Before Leaving Ludington S.P. we made a stop at the Hamlin Lake Beach. The water was much warmer than Lake Michigan. The boys all loved it. We're off to Traverse City!

Lego summer brickaction

James, Connor, and their dad got to take a break at a very cool Lego summer brickation event in downtown Traverse City while Kristy and Ryan got stuck doing laundry. Connor is posing with the turtle he made.

Beautiful morning at USS Silversides

We have arrived at the USS Silversides/Great Lakes Naval Museum. Needless-to-say, James and Connor are very excited!

Happy Camper

Three nights down and Ryan continues to be a smiling Happy Camper! Kristy is still smiling too!

Evening break at the playground

The boys decided it was a great evening to take a break at the ole Oak Grove playground. After we missed some thunderstorms, it turned out to be a perfect evening.

Radish Anyone?

Apparently Radishes are in season. This stand had some beautiful ones although we just looked enough to take a picture.

A great start to Saturday

We started Saturday with the Holland Farmer's Market. By far the biggest and best Farmer's Market we have Ever seen. James and Kristy are buying some great looking lettuce...

Welcome to Michigan!

We were welcomed to Warren Dunes by a fat raccoon who was visiting the campsite next to us. I think in Michigan they call them wolverines, but who knows. With just a little daylight remaining, we climbed the tallest and STEEPEST sand dune I have ever seen. Somehow James and Connor did it on their own. Their parents had much more trouble than they did! The view was beautiful and hopefully a sign of great things to come.

On the road again...

Dinner and playground break at rest area about 80 miles from Warren Dunes. So far, so good as the Great North Adventure begins!

We're back, but with one less tooth!

After a short 2-year break, we are blogging again. As you can see, James has grown quite a bit from our last post. Connor has certainly grown and Ryan is also a wonderful addition to our family! Today is a big day as James lost his first tooth! The Great North Adventure begins in two days. Watch for new posts.

Oh my......

So, James has been wanting to get into a rather large mud puddle in our yard. Well, today was the day. It was warm and sunny and he had to get in. Now, I normally would not allow him to be in the yard in his underwear when it is 60 degrees but I figure, you are only 3 once, and one day soon, he won't want to do these things. So, splish splash in the mud bath. As I watched him slash around I realized I needed a picture so someday he might let his own kids do something like this just because they will only be little once.

He's not 4 yet

Paul and Beckie, Chad's parents, came in last weekend so we had a little birthday party for James. I can't believe my baby is going to be 4 in a few weeks. So, I'm going to enjoy my last few weeks with a three year old. As you can see in the pictures, James got some new space gloves from his Maw Maw and Paw Paw. He loves them and even slept in them that night!

ROAR

The new noise in our house is Connor roaring like a dino all the time. He thinks it is hilarious and if you jump and act like he scared you he can hardly contain himself. Rolls and rolls of laughter. James liked the dinosaurs too but of course was ready to go see the space exhibit. Somethings never change.

Happy St. Patty's Day

James picked out his clothes and Connors clothes for St. Patricks Day. He insisted on wearing pjs with green all day, even in the mud. Connor loves riding his rocket outside. Our driveway has a very slight decline and he loves that it rolls right into the one little patch of grass we have.

First Trip to the ZOO

It was beautiful a few weeks ago so my friends Francie and Rachel and I loaded up our little ones and headed to the zoo. It was so much fun to watch the first generation of the three amigos run around and the second generation three amigos ohh and ahh over the animals, well they looked at them....

Spring!!

Spring has finally started to peek out from under the clouds and we are SOOOO excited!!

The 6 Sweetest Kiddos EVER!!!

Seeing Uncle Greg's ship

James loved going to see the ship that Greg is assigned to. He especially loved "Driving" the pirate ship. He has a one track mind!!

Up Up and Away

Connor loved flying and since we have been back he has been playing with airplanes. Future pilot.....we will see!