Oh Vacation how I love thee. Today, several of The Blended Blog ladies and myself are discussing our favorite vacations with a blog hop and Link-Up, which was perfect timing for me as we recently returned from our annual family vacation to our favorite town in the whole wide world on Lake Michigan. So excited to bring you a recap of what is my favorite week every year, where the 5 of us get to relax, eat, beach it, chill, laugh and make up for all the crazy business of life!!
We always try to find at least one new restaurant, one new thing to do and make it a priority to not be on a schedule and sleep in!!! What a luxury that this lady hardly ever gets.
This year we tried a few new places. I had a hankering for a hot dog and considering I only eat hot dogs once or twice a year, I knew FrankZ would be the place to cure that craving. Plus their fries were voted the best in Northern Michigan and oh how they were!
One night we went to an awesome distillery out in the middle of nowhere. The entertainment were these two darling sisters. I knew I'd love them when the first song they belted out was "Jolene!" And hello Strawberry slushies with fresh strawberries and their homemade vodka...so good. Oh and the cherry on top..an Taco Truck!! Great night!!
July 4th is a big deal in this small beach town and the parade is like no other. People line the streets decked out in their best red, white and blue.
Still thinking about that hot dog....if you look close that's giant hot dog in the back of the truck behind me.
July 4th dinner night!
Beach time is of corse the BEST time!
Hello Beautiful Beach weather!!
It is a tradition to go out on the pier every year add get pictures by the lighthouse.
The boats were sending up some serious crashing waves which the boys loved.
Tenkara rod fishing but no luck. It's the experience, not the fish, lol
Now this was a fun time! My husband has a Ford Raptor and we were able to Baha a bit in the sand where most cars couldn't get too. Came out of the dunes with a little mud on the tires, just the way we like it!
A bench on this beach is how we found this town years ago. I will devote a whole post to the story sometime as it is precious...
.....Just like my precious family!
Mr. Nine and I get a little emotional when we have to leave as we love having us all together and we know this time may be fleeting when they have families of their own. We hope that with the families they start of their own someday, they will continue to come here with us year after year.
Adore this crew!
See other posts our trips to this favorite spot on lake Michigan where Summer's we go as a family and in the Fall, it is a little getaway after HS football season is over, just the two of us.....2015 HERE, Fall 2015 HERE, 2016 HERE and Fall 2016 HERE
...and My ultimate favorite Beach vacation of all time Grand Cayman Spring Break
Now link-up your favorite vacations,
new and old!
Head over to Sheila's Blog where she talks
about her Vacation Love.
Linking up with Biana // Totally Terrific Tuesday // Inspire Me Monday // Inspire Me Tuesday // Lou Lou Girls Fabulous Party // Share It //
This year we tried a few new places. I had a hankering for a hot dog and considering I only eat hot dogs once or twice a year, I knew FrankZ would be the place to cure that craving. Plus their fries were voted the best in Northern Michigan and oh how they were!
July 4th is a big deal in this small beach town and the parade is like no other. People line the streets decked out in their best red, white and blue.
Beach time is of corse the BEST time!
It is a tradition to go out on the pier every year add get pictures by the lighthouse.
The boats were sending up some serious crashing waves which the boys loved.
Tenkara rod fishing but no luck. It's the experience, not the fish, lol
Now this was a fun time! My husband has a Ford Raptor and we were able to Baha a bit in the sand where most cars couldn't get too. Came out of the dunes with a little mud on the tires, just the way we like it!
A bench on this beach is how we found this town years ago. I will devote a whole post to the story sometime as it is precious...
.....Just like my precious family!
Mr. Nine and I get a little emotional when we have to leave as we love having us all together and we know this time may be fleeting when they have families of their own. We hope that with the families they start of their own someday, they will continue to come here with us year after year.
See other posts our trips to this favorite spot on lake Michigan where Summer's we go as a family and in the Fall, it is a little getaway after HS football season is over, just the two of us.....2015 HERE, Fall 2015 HERE, 2016 HERE and Fall 2016 HERE
...and My ultimate favorite Beach vacation of all time Grand Cayman Spring Break
Now link-up your favorite vacations,
new and old!
Head over to Sheila's Blog where she talks
about her Vacation Love.
Linking up with Biana // Totally Terrific Tuesday // Inspire Me Monday // Inspire Me Tuesday // Lou Lou Girls Fabulous Party // Share It //
Creative Monday's // Creative Muster Party // Wow Us Wednesdays // Wonderful Wednesday's Blog Hop // Feathered Nest Friday //
Metamorphosis Monday // The Scoop // Tuesday Talk with Ashley and Erika // Ladies Who Link
Metamorphosis Monday // The Scoop // Tuesday Talk with Ashley and Erika // Ladies Who Link
xoxo
What a fun family vacation! The distillery sounds so fun and all the yummy food! Love the family photos and that amazing dress!! The colors of everyone's outfits go so well together for a photo shoot.
ReplyDeleteI think you and your husband win for coolest parents ever!! Those family photos on the beach are just perfect!! happy monday girl! xo, Biana -BlovedBoston
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful vacation! That beach sure holds a special place in your heart and I can see why. I can guarantee that your boys will be bringing their own families there in the years to come. Loved all the pictures!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great family vacation, Andrea! Looks like you guys had a great time and enjoyed some amazing food. Love the taco truck! And the family picture at the end...so sweet! Happy Monday!
ReplyDeletexo, Rachel
A Blonde's Moment
I have absolutely no doubt that your boys will continue to come to the beach each year and soon those family pictures will expand! My friend and I were just talking about vacationing on Lake Michigan next year, I want that experience. This vacation is just like you my friend, perfection! You are the perfect beach babe!
ReplyDeletexo,
Kellyann
I love going up to Michigan in the summer. It looks like you had an amazing time! Your family photos are precious!
ReplyDeleteJill
Doused In Pink
It looks like a little slice of paradise! You guys definitely know how to do it up and I am sure it is great to have the kids to yourselves for the week! So much fun!! If you ever need, I'd happily tag along as your family vacation photographer ;-)
ReplyDeleteLooks like yall had so much fun!!! Have a great Monday!!
ReplyDeleteYou 5 are some of the best looking people, I swear!! What town do you vacation in? We love MI, we are heading to Traverse City in a couple weeks but have been to South & Grand Haven numerous times, I loooove South Haven so much!
ReplyDeleteWe keep talking about going out to Iron Fish, we didn't realize they had such enticing cocktails! Now we *must* do it!
ReplyDeleteWhat A fun, easy, wonderful family vacation! Y'all are some good looking people
ReplyDeleteThat's a fun week, love!!! I adore those pics tires where you are all all smiles! Beautiful family, beautiful friend.....and now I am ocean dreaming!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely vacation, Andrea! All the photos are gorgeous, and everyone looks so relaxed!
ReplyDeleteAndrea
Andrea’s Wellness Notes
This reminds me SO much of my family vacations to Lake Tahoe. We started out going with Mom and Dad as kids every summer, and now we all still go together, but this time with husbands and families of our own! It's the neatest feeling, and I too get a little choked up when we have to leave because it just hold such a special place in my heart :) Looks like such a wonderful trip, and a good time was had by all! And can I just say - how cute are those boys?! :) Love a, girlie!! XO
ReplyDeleteShauna
www.lipglossandlace.net
Aaaahhhh!!! What an amazing trip. Your pictures left me with a smile on my face. Life is so much better on the beach!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun family vacation!! Your sons are so very handsome!! I'm glad you have a great vacation at the beach! PS-You even look GORGEOUS at the beach!! Every time I go to the beach, I look like death. haha
ReplyDeleteAWww it sounds like an amazing vacation!! Everything looked awesome and love that there is always something to do with a mixture of some relaxing on the beach! So nice that your family was able to get together!
ReplyDeletewww.rdsobsessions.com
Beach vacations are my favorite! We leave for ours in 4 short days.....
ReplyDeleteI need to vacation with you...also- is that the singer from Sask???
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you had the best time on your annual vacation! I love that you try to go to a new restaurant every year, and that hot dog place sounds amazing! Your family pictures also turned out so great too! I love that y'all take them every year! I hope that your Monday has gotten off to a great start!
ReplyDeleteHow fun to have a place you return to all the time! I do love the beach myself but for me "the beach" equals salt water! Haha! (My husband would love a Ford Raptor!)
ReplyDeleteYour trips always look like so much fun! I love that you get family time together in your favorite place.
ReplyDeleteAmy Ann
Straight A Style
What an AWESOME vacation you had!!! I'm totally blown away that you go to the beach in MI. Who knew??? It looks like a darling town for sure. You looked vacation gorgeous all week, even in the sand friend. I know what you mean about having your little family all together and not wanting it to end. We're hoping once ours have families of their own, if WE PAY for vacation at the beach...they will come...LOL. Yes, I'm not ashamed to say we will "buy" time with them if we have too. wink, wink. Have a great week beautiful mama!
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up with us today!
DeleteBeautiful.
ReplyDeletewww.rsrue.blogspot.com
Awwww what a special week full of wonderful memories!!! That first picture with your oldest two is precious. And I love all the family pictures in the sand! Those hot dogs, oh man. You have me starving!!! Nothing like a good hot dog on a beach vacay! I'm sure your boys will bring their families along for the annual trip, how could they not?
ReplyDeleteLooks like such a lovely vacation!
ReplyDeleteThere is absolutely nothing better than unplugging with the whole family for the week, so glad you guys get to cherish those moments together. How fun is that distillery?! I'll take one of those strawberry slushies please and thank you <3
ReplyDeleteGreen Fashionista
A family vaca is just what the doctor ordered and this one looks amazing! I love getting away from the hustle and bustle and just unplug with loved ones. So glad yall had a great time.
ReplyDeleteBrittany :)
www.kingdomofsequins.com
Looks like SUCH a fun vacation! Makes me so excited for Cape Cod with my family this week! Glad you had a blast!
ReplyDeleteRosy Outlook
What beautiful pictures of your family at the end! I love your dress! And may I just say that you look like you should be the boys' sibling... not their mother!! Seriously!!
ReplyDeleteI bet you guys just dread leaving vacation. Loving all of these cute family pictures! You have such handsome boys, Andrea!
ReplyDeletexo, Lily
Beauty With Lily
Wait, where in Michigan were you?! Looks like you all had TONS of fun! Yummy hot dogs!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic vacation! There's nothing better than time on the water with the ones you love!
ReplyDeleteThis is soooo sweet!! I always love seeing your husband's ND shirts! LOL! But of course I come to see your amazing style. Everything looked perfect, and I am sure it is hard when the boys go back to college. You are such a lucky mom!! What a relaxing vacay. SO happy you had such a perfect trip!!
ReplyDeletexxoo
Mary
www.BelleOnTrend.com
What a lovely family vacation. Michigan is beautiful this time of year. Sadly I don't think we will get up this summer. We now own my sweet in laws former home on Lake Huron since my MIL's passing. It's hard being 800 miles away :-(
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing vacation. I love all the photos and omg the food. Wow. You guys look so happy and relaxed!!
ReplyDeleteLoved seeing your vacay pics, Girlie! Must be nice to hang out on the beach with such great looking guys! Ahem! And I'm so jealous of that leopard bathing suit!!
ReplyDeleteYour boys are so handsome. What a great vacation! My Ian would be so jealous to know that Mr. Nine has a Ford Raptor. His dram truck! :)
ReplyDeleteSo relaxing and fun! Glad you had a great getaway with your guys! Hope you had a wonderful Monday!
ReplyDeleteI love that picture of you with your boys! What a wonderful vacation. We're leaving for our annual beach vacay in a few weeks, and I'm a little sad because oldest son can only come for a few days. BUT I'm trying to focus on the fun we'll have while he's there. It's so hard as they get older, but you've clearly raised some fabulous young men!
ReplyDeleteYou and your Family always seem to have fabulous Times together! Fantastic!
ReplyDeleteSuch lovely pictures! Sounds like a wonderful vacation; relaxing and full of family fun.
ReplyDeleteI love vacation too!!!! This looked like such a sweet, fun time. And how handsome are those boys of yours!!! But this is not surprise because their parents are handsome too. ;) Have a wonderful week Andrea!
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing trip- the beach is gorgeous and it must've been so nice to relax with your fam!
ReplyDelete-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
And I realize that I did not link up a vacation post. oops! Does it count that I got that skirt I linked up while on vacation?? ;)
ReplyDeleteSo glad you got that time away with your family! I know you dont want those boys to leave... makes these vacation times so much more precious.
ReplyDeletePerfect vacation! You know how to relax and have a good time. I can just see you someday holding a grandbaby on the beach and introducing precious little baby toes to the lake water. My daughter and I were in Keystone at the Crossing and we saw the Vineyard Vines shop where your son had worked. Nice shop! xoxo
ReplyDeleteThis looks and sounds like the best time! I've heard lake Michigan is beautiful and this little town sounds like a great place to visit. You and your family are so beautiful and I love all of the memories you are still making together <3 Beautifully Candid
ReplyDeleteYou look like you've had the most amazing time, Andrea. I'm so envious of your lovely family time - I often wish I'd had kids of my own to hang out and have fun with!
ReplyDeleteHugs hugs
Suzy xx
What a fun vacation for all of you! It looks like you all had such a great time! Wooohooo for family vacations!!!
ReplyDeleteHow does your hair look that fabulous while on the beach?! The humidity and wind always have my hair going crazy, haha! So glad you guys had so much fun together! And all that food - YUM!
ReplyDeleteThese pictures are just wonderful Andrea! Your family is beautiful and this looks like such a perfect getaway. I think down time to reconnect as a family is such a blessing. You are obviously on top of the world when y'all are together.
ReplyDeleteYour trip sounds amazing - what a wonderful time with your boys! All of your pictures are gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThis looks like such a fun, relaxing summer vacation-my favorite kind! You have such a gorgeous family!
ReplyDeleteSo much fun! We just went to a wedding on the lake in Michigan. I would love to go back for a longer visit!
ReplyDeleteLove reading your blog and about your family. I bet that is been a super, fun holiday. All too soon my babies go off on their own holidays with partners - I miss our 'family' hols! I do have skiing to look forward to! All bar one are coming next Jan - can't wait.
ReplyDeleteLooking gorgeous as ever in your summer clothes. x Jacqui
www.mummabstylish.com
What a beautiful, beautiful family you have. The memories you are making will go on forever with all of your boys. As parents, you are amazing role models for love and family.
ReplyDeleteYour vacation looks amazing. I tried to get a vacay to Michigan this year, but couldn't get it all put together. :( I have 3 teenage boys too. Life as a boy mom is fun, right? Thanks for sharing. We go on vacation next week. I'll have to write about it when we get back.
ReplyDeleteThanks for letting come on holiday with your beautiful self and your wonderful Nine guys. The place was amazing and the food yummy. We had a blast, eh, so same time, same place next year?! Love your holiday wardrobe,looked perfect, and love the animal print swimwear, just right for your colouring.
ReplyDeleteWow, looks like a wonderful and relaxing vacation! I especially love the look of that strawberry slushie :)
ReplyDeleteKathrin -- mycupofenglishtea.wordpress.com
Andrea your vacation looked fabulous! You have such a beautiful family :-) It's funny because I do an annual family vacation and I love seeing other familys who do too!
ReplyDeleteAmanda @ Cupcake N Dreams
I bet your vacations are always an adventure! Looks like tons of fun! :)
ReplyDeleteI love vacations too - who doesn't? Your trips to Michigan look like a wonderful tradition. I've been to Michigan - South Haven, and Mackinac Island. Wonderful memories!
ReplyDeleteOur happy place is Estes Park, CO. We don't go yearly, but we've been there quite a few times. Guess I'm more of a mountain girl than a beach girl. :)
I am putting Lake Michigan on my bucket list. You made it look like someplace not to be missed!
ReplyDeletePlease share how you found your little town - it already sounds so cute!
ReplyDelete