Traverse City=Pure Michigan

This post has taken  me 3 days to do! We can thank lack of sleep and a teething baby for that.

I have to say when I moved to Michigan I never dreamed how much I would fall in love with the trees and the beauty of the state. It has so many beautiful places to visit. Fall is my favorite time of year and I LOVE going "up North" to see many of the tourist towns. Michigan has struggled with the car industry as we all know. They put some money into advertising and the Pure Michigan commercials have been played all over the country. My parents in Idaho have seen it. I really think it has worked as many have begun to vacation here.

My wonderful friend from Ohio and her family came up a couple weeks ago to vacation in Traverse City. Traverse City was the first place I really went vacationing to with my wonderful friend Jennifer. We had a wonderful time. It sits right on Lake Michigan and is absolutely beautiful. There are also so many wonderful things to see. Since my friend was visiting I knew I would make the drive up to see her. I was hoping Anthony would be able to come. Unfortunately that did not work out. So, I braved the 3 1/2 hour drive with all three kids piled in the back of Anthony's car up north. If you know me really well you know I HATE driving. In fact I just don't do it unless I absolutely have to. So driving that far was a real accomplishment and then adding three little kids to the mix ha! I am sure I looked amusing at rest stops with all 3 in one stall trying to pee not wanting to put Ari on the floor etc. I was thankful to a couple very nice elderly ladies who would always hold Ari for me. It didn't matter though because it was WORTH it. The fun that my kids had and also seeing my wonderful friend and her beautiful family made up for it all.

We stayed at the beautiful Grand Traverse Resort. I was able to stay with them and saved some money. They were so generous with their room. I can't thank them enough. It was perfect. The kids loved it. We spent the afternoon at the beach.

 

Lilliana was unsure about going down to the water at first. She is so shy sometimes. Eli headed straight for the water. 

 

Megan's family was wonderful and helped me so much with the kids. I can't thank Dave enough for helping with Ari and carrying him. They were wonderful.

 

Meghan is also a photographer. Her son Max is the same age as Eli and it is why we are friends. We had the same due date. Max and Eli had SOO much fun together and were perfect together. 

 

Ari walked all over the beach and was not scared of the water. He had found a big stick and carried that everywhere too.

 

Eli and max loved going out into the deeper area and jumping with the waves. The funny part is Lilliana didn't want to go towards the water at the beginning and then we couldn't keep her away. She was freezing but went back for more even when the water was covering her face. 

 

 

iPhone Photos from Meghan.......

 

 

They LOVED the beach. We went back to the hotel for pizza and the kids rested and played. It was fun watching them all play together. 

 

We then went back to the beach so I could do family photos for them. I will say this may have been my most challenging session to date. Beach sessions are hard with sunset and haze. I had never done one and it taught me a lot. I am sure if I had a little more practice it would have been easy, but it wasn't. I do love their photos. I took a couple of the kids but actually did  more film with them. I am using an old film camera and loving it. I haven't had anything developed lately so we will see how they turn out but for this it was fun. I can't say I even got this picture of the kids right but I still love it. 

 

It was a completely cloudless day but had their been clouds I think the sunset would have had some wonderful pinks and purples with it. 

Friday we went to Dylan's Candy Bar in the Resort. The kids were so excited. I first saw Dylan's on Carlo's Bakery. I think she is out of New York City. Well, there is an actual candy store located here in Michigan. 

 

After the candy shop we went to a nautical children's museum. The kids had a blast. 

 

 

 LOL Oh and I forgot the best thing. I looked like a BUM the entire time. LOL I wore a tshirt and athletic shors to travel. I had a nice skirt packed but forgot a shirt. The kids had everything, but I failed. It was funny and looking at myself I just have to laugh because I look terrible, but oh well. I know my kids had a wonderful time. 

 

It was such a wonderful couple of days. I am so glad despite the long crazy drive with them by myself we had fun. If you are ever in Michigan, Traverse City is a must to see.