We were excited to get away as a family this past weekend and
took a whirlwind trip up to Holland, Michigan! That place is a gem!
(And just a few hours away... so the car-trip "are we there, yet?!" whining was at a minimum!) ;0)
The weather was gorgeous! A high of 67 every day... with crisp fall evenings perfect for our campfires! Since the tent camping at Holland State Park was closed for the season, we stayed in a sweet little pine Camper Cabin called the "White Tail". I was a little nervous, since all the running water had been turned off at the Park on October 30th... but we took a large container of drinking water and a large container for washing... and it all worked out pretty seamlessly!
Our children loved "roughing it" with Daddy and Mommy (who find it was far more enjoyable and much less work when we camped as a childless couple!) They brushed their teeth in a cup of water and were able to learn the thrill of "pit toilets"; a camper's "right of passage"!
I don't think the boys missed taking baths for a few days, either.... ;0)
We also took the opportunity to visit a working windmill brought over straight from The Netherlands... The miller happened to be hauling grain that day; and although Windmill Island was officially closed for the season, she offered us a private guided tour!
Learning about this rich history dovetailed nicely with what we're currently learning about the Pilgrims in school. (We plan to do a unit study on our trip for the rest of November!)
It was a treasured trip that took us far away from regular schedules, as well as a much needed breather from adoption paperwork! Honestly; if you've never adopted internationally before, you just can't believe the paperwork load. (Imagine what it'd be like to have your entire life audited!
I feel as though we've been filling out, or waiting on, paperwork since March!)
Thankfully, there's a light at the end of the tunnel! We're waiting on just a few more documents and plan to have our dossier turned in before Thanksgiving!
Our family relished this time of seclusion and togetherness! Here are a few pictures to give you a glimpse into our weekend... enjoy!
Standing outside of the "DeZwaan" windmill
Holland State Park, Michigan
"Big Red" Lighthouse
Holland, Michigan
Hiking at Saugatuck State Park, Michigan
The kids did great hiking!
Luke & I wore the girls in our Onya child carriers (love!) when their little legs grew tired...
Tuesday when we left, the weather was just turning.
A stiff wind drove whitecaps across Lake Michigan.
I think the boys would've dug in the sand and played on a shoreline all day every day!
We loved finding this treasure just 3 hours away!
The view from the little porch of our camper cabin early in the morning...
At night as the sun was setting, the last of the fishermen were hanging in there for one more catch...
DeZwaan windmill. Interestingly, they have an original blade lying beside the windmill. You can still see the bullet holes from World War II peppering the skin. The Netherlanders used windmills as lookout points during the War.
Sunday was a warm day with beautiful light breeze. The children loved playing in the sand!!
The kids loved falling out the cabin into a giant sandbox every morning! Definitely a great way to camp off-season... we recommend camper cabin camping to anyone with small children!!
Eden took a catnap in my pack as we hiked along the ravines; the trees were nearly at peak colors!
Good bye for now, Holland, Michigan... We can't wait to visit you again!
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