Sleeping Bear Dunes Camping Trip

We spent the first bit of Sept. (labor day) recovering from August.  Then on Monday when everyone was heading home from their labor day camping trips we headed out to start ours.  It was so fabulous to be driving one way and everyone else driving the other way!  The campground was nice and quiet and traffic was great.  We drove 4hrs north to check out Sleeping Bear Dunes National shore line.  When we got there we set up camp and headed for the beach.  

Sammy didn't like the cold water. ;)  Even though it was a gorgeous day for swimming and laying out on the beach.

Here's why poor boy.  He spiked a fever and fell asleep in our makeshift shade after we drugged him up. :(

This beach was a lot rockier than any others we've been to and the kids had a great time collecting the most beautiful rocks they could find into piles.

The whole family and 35wks prego!!

When Sammy woke up he felt so much better.   I love these pictures of him playing catch with dad.

This is my view when laying on my back. :)  Can't wait to meet this little boy.

Some well deserved relaxation.

Love me some campfire - but not so much the hotdogs.  Next time I hope I have the energy to make something yummier.  I was missing Grandma Nancy's dutch oven Wendorff stew.

Sam and Wilson were pretty pleased with the s'mores for dessert.  

Unfortunately Zina also had a fever and chills at this point and we drugged her up and put her straight to bed. :(

Home sweet home!  We decided at the last second to put the rain fly on and boy were we glad we did.  We stayed toasty warm and nice and dry during the thunderstorm that hit during the night.  Every time the lightning would flash and thunder would boom Sammy would sit straight up and say, "I'm scawred."  It was fun to snuggle him close and sing his scary's away.  Zina and Wilson didn't even know there was a storm!

Breakfast time!  And no more fevers!

Mark enjoyed a nice run while I cooked us up some yummy scrambled eggs, bacon and hot chocolate and then we hit up the sand dunes for a "little" hike. 

We somehow missed the info about it being a strenuous 3 1/2 mile hike to even get a view of lake Michigan.  At the top of the second hill Wilson had had enough.  (not gonna lie I don't think the prego could have made it up another hill either)  So while Mark ran up the trail to see the view the rest of us ran down the hills pretending to keep the treasure away from the pirates.  The kids loved it and by the time we were down we were hot, sweaty, hungry, happy, and ready for the beach again!

So naturally that's where we went after a yummy picnic lunch in the historic Glen Haven village.

Sammy still not feeling to great, snuggled with Mark for a nap while the kids and I went to explore the village.

Zina's favorite part was the old mercantile with old fashioned candy (we bought some to share with Mark and Sammy) and Wilson's was the blacksmith shop where they both got some hooks that they watched the blacksmith make.  

On our way out of town we took a detour to see the scenic views.

Nothing like standing on the edge of a 450ft sand dune cliff looking out over lake Michigan.

It was really beautiful and I'm glad we went, but I think next time we will stick a little bit closer to home.  4hrs was a long drive home and then about 3 days to recover. :)

Sammy requested that Mark carry him to the van like this. :)

Pretty cute boys and so nice to have a taste of summer with our dad!