Holland, MI

Well, the annual family vacation to Holland, MI has begun. Lots of new things this year, but still many traditions remain. Among the new: Colette! Three summers ago, Adam and I were not dating but he came as a friend, two summers ago-he proposed, last summer we had just finished our honeymoon, this summer we have our precious baby girl.

Also among the new, my parents rented the cottage for a full two weeks! Although we all can't stay for the entire time, it adds a new element to the experience. We all arrived two days ago on Saturday. That evening Adam and I schooled Miriam and Nate at a game of Eucher. Colette decided to sleep through the night, so we were refreshed for mass Sunday morn! Afterwards we enjoyed some "donies" and came home and had lunch before heading to the beach! It was windy but full of sunshine and Nana & Uncle Brian joined us. Colette proceeded to spend her entire first day at the beach sleeping-in my arms, Miriam's arms, Nana's arms, and her beach tent!

Daddy had to leave Sunday night, but returned Tuesday evening and stayed through the following Sunday!  Colette experienced her first campfire, complete with some s'mores (got the leftovers in the breastmilk!) and hot chocolate made over the fire,  she went to Sluggo's for hawaiian ice (mom got Tiger's blood, margarita, and blue raspberry!), had privvy playtime with the Everts cousins in the kid's upstairs room, walked to the pier, discovered her hands ( and her love of sucking them), put her toes in the sand and surf, spent many evenings getting ice cream at the general store and was held by many visitors including the Michons, Burns, Willsons, Bruce Everts, and the Grosses. She went to her first sunset on Lake Michigan, watched her cousins fish, went for a hike, had breakfast on the campfire, made fruit and chocolate waffle cones in the fire and stayed up late for lots of game nights!
She even participated in the talent show during which two years prior her daddy proposed!

After fifteen years of attendance, Holland has lost none of its charm and has increased in its sentimental value that is for sure. Nothing can take the place of a week in the sand and sun, surrounded by a family you love, filled with laughs, food, fun and centered on the Lord. We look forward to many more summers spent there, and for our family to continue to grow each year.