First family beach day

This was our first time as a 4 membered family we went to the beach.  Last year we didn't go for some reason (I think partially because I thought Lucy was to little to be outdoors like that) but I have a feeling that we will be at the beach (or pool) almost every single day this summer.  :)

One of our friends called and asked for a ride back to Holland (which really isn't on the way to anywhere for us) but we want to always help our friends out so we decided to make a day out of it.  It was really nice to see him and catch up on the ride there.  After that, we decided to hit up the beach there.  It was an added bonus that we paid a little extra when we renewed our license plate tags and now we get into all the state parks (pretty much anyways) for free!  :)  So, if you are renewing your tags and pay an extra $10 you get a summer pass into almost all of the state parks and beaches... its really worth it.  It would've been $6 for that one visit... do the math. :)

It was only low 60's and pretty windy but the kids loved it.  Tristan told us that he wanted to stay there forever.  Gaetan and Dude took off for the water (which was freezing) and I stayed with Baby Girl in the sands.  She did remarkably well for never having felt such texture and did well walking too!  Tristan LOVES water.  He was playing in it regardless that his little hands and feet were turning blue.  He always wanted to help the lake out by putting all the sand 'back' into the water.  It was cute.  They ended up making a castle with a moat (because every good castle needs a moat) and then Tristan wanted to make Gaetan a present, so he made him a lake.  :)  He just dug a hole next to Lake Michigan so that water could fill it.  It was cute.  :)

Our morning started at 6... and she was so tired that she just climbed on my lap and passed out.  I didn't mind... I love the snug time.

Dude passed out on the ride there.  I thought it was cute how he crossed his legs

Baby Girl's first time on the beach

You can see Gaetan off to the distance

LOVE baby feet

Momma and Baby Girl feet

Dude putting the sand back :)

Can you see the joy on this boys face?!

Happy Papa

Helping baby girl be brave in the water

She did great!

<3

I think there's sand in between my toes Momma! 

Did some writing in the sand too

Got a pic of the pier in the background

Girlys hanging out

Beginnings of a castle/moat

Making and inlet for the water to get through

Dude's lake present to Papa

We also did us some bird chasing too.  It's funny the simple things in life that kids enjoy.  I think that we should take note... it seems the simple things in life make us most happy and our lives aren't complicated.  It's beautiful really.

Sharing a quick snack before we left

We pretty much had to take off because the kids were turning an unhealthy blue color (from being cold) even though they didn't want to go. And we were all getting pretty hungry... I was glad I brought extra clothes for them to change into!  :)  Dude so badly wants to go back to the beach... so I'm sure we will.

JVG