The Koops: Vacation!

Dan decided to take a couple days off work, and have a little vacation before the renovation starts at his course. We took off last Thursday night and met my parents in East Lansing, dropped Lee off with them(thanks again mom and dad!) and then we headed up to Mackinaw with Jason and Ryan. Mackinaw Island is one of Dan and my favorite spots in Michigan, we love it up there. We spent all day Friday on the Island. We brought our bikes this time, and rented a Burley for the boys so we could bike around the Island. It was a beautiful day.

On Saturday we decided to drive across the Bridge and head up to Sault Saint Marie. When we arrived, there was a boat being raised in the Locks, and another waiting to be lowered. It was perfect timing, the boys thought it was cool to see a huge boat go up and down(so did we!). After lunch, we headed to Tahquamenon Falls. So beautiful to see again. Amazing how much power a single water fall can hold. After our hiking around the falls, we drove down to Lake Michigan, our most favorite spot. The drive back to the Bridge was so, so beautiful.

On Sunday we left Mackinaw and headed to my parents, with a couple stops along the way. Dan had to stop at Hartwick Pines State Park and see all the "giant" pines. The walk was beautiful, but the trees were not as big as we thought they would be. Dan has bigger ones on his golf course! But still, a wonderful reminder of how Great God is, to create such beautiful life all around us. After the Pines, we headed to Traverse City for lunch. It was a great way to end our trip, chillin' at the beach while the boys played at the playground. I have to say that we made it to my parents after that, with out stopping!

Monday marked 8 years for Dan and I, and I set up a couples massage in Holland for us before we left. It was a treat for us to spend our Anniversary morning together, ALONE! What a great weekend, lots of laughs, lots of fun, lots of memories!

The view from our balcony, if only I had enough energy to wake up at 5:30 and watch the sunrise.

On the boat to the Island

Dan and the 75 pound load!

Boys skipping rocks, well, throwing rocks

The Arch, still pretty as ever

Dan checking the radar on his phone(clouds started to roll in), while the boys played.

Swinging on the Island, what fun!

Ryan petting the horses.
When we left the Island, I asked the boys what they liked best, Ryan said the ice cream and Jason said throwing rocks in the water. Ahh the simple things of life!!

Watching the boat leave the Locks

The next boat getting Locked in

21 feet later, cleared to go!

The Lower Falls.
My boys, they run from the camera, it's so frustrating for me to get a picture with them looking! I can only hope someday they will smile!