We just got back from our 11 day camping trip at VanBuren State Park! The kids had so much fun and didn't want to leave! It rained...a lot...but we made the best of it and still had days that we could go to the beach and plenty of time to play outside...rain boots were a must! We had fun playing at the parks, exploring, going to the beach, climbing the dunes, playing in giant mud puddles, riding bikes, making new friends, having campfires, going downtown, reading fun, new summer books, playing with play-dough, eating ice cream, and just spending time together...away from all the busyness of life.
Waiting to get there is hard work!
Our new home away from home for 11 days!
Our first morning was cold and cloudy...so out came the geoboards, scissors, and lacing beads...
Climbing trees!
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| Play-dough on a rainy day |
The rain finally stopped! It was time to go and explore the after effects of the rain...
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"Oops Mommy...I tried not to go in it!" She was stuck right in the middle and we couldn't reach her! Thankfully Gavin has a handle on his bike still so we hooked it around her and pull her out!
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The next day was warm and sunny! We played at the beach!
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| Gavin giving me a "thumbs up" |
Elsa told me that when she grew up she wanted to be a mermaid. Ironically enough, some girls came to the beach with these mermaid tails that same day. They were nice enough to let both kids try them on!
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| We climbed to the top of the dune! |
Then it was a cold, foggy morning...with more rain...
...and more puddles to play in...
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| We went to the beach...but it was cool and cloudy |
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| So we went out to lunch! |
Another rainy day...we tried bowling!
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| Gavin thought it was pretty great to even knock down one pin! |
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| Elsa loved it! She did really well! |
More fun in the sun!
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| This girl has always LOVED the water! But she became so independent in the water and floated and swam all by herself! |
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| And this guy...he likes the beach and rocks! |
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| Campfire lunch! |
Another sunny day to play at the beach!
Doing art as part of the Explorer Program put on by the State Park Rangers
S'mores are always fun!
While we were camping we got to celebrate Daddy's birthday! We went downtown to the Thirsty Perch for dinner and then got ice cream and walked around exploring Harbor Fest.
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| Birthday guy and his girl! |
Just one of the many Harbor Fest activities
We got back to the camper pretty late...but it was present time! The kids loved helping open Daddy's gifts!
And the next day we got to celebrate Father's Day! The kids had some gifts for Daddy and then we headed downtown for some shopping and playtime at the downtown beach.
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| Best. Dad. Ever. |
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| Elsa would have spent all day in this "Princess Palace" gift shop - she loved it! |
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| Gavin enjoying his ice cream cone shaped cookie and sporting a pretty nice chocolate beard! |
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| Just being silly! |
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| Giant cinnamon rolls for our last camping breakfast |
What a great time we had as a family!
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