Charlevoix 2012: Making Memories

For as long as I can remember, my grandparents lived in Charlevoix, Mich. As a child we went up several times a year, but mostly during the summer. I didn't go up there as much as my siblings, but it definitely was and is a special place for me. Randomly enough, my husband's family has also been vacationing there for years and now we get to share Charlevoix with our children.

This trip was somewhat special since it was the first family vacation there since my grandmother's passing in January (my grandfather passed away 3 years ago), as well as the first since my dad's heart attack in June (he lives there, too).

We went during their special Venetian Festival. The week is filled with music in the park, a beauty pageant, carnival, parades, races, and anything else you can think of. It has changed some through out the years, but it is definitely a very traditional event that brings back a ton of memories for me.

I hope as the years pass, Maisie and Calan enjoy Charlevoix as much as we do.

1) The famous bridge to Lake Michigan. Opens every hour and half hour, and yes, we were that close , so it was a bit loud, but fun for the kids. 2) Calan was exploring everything the second we got there. He did not sleep at all on the way up. I guess he was pretty excited. 3) Maisie just checking everything out when we got there. 

1) Calan was a little sick Friday, so we hung around the hotel while the rest of the family had lunch in Petosky and the guys went golfing. After naps, we walked down for some Superman ice cream. Perfect vacation treat. 2) Maisie and I enjoying some mommy/daughter time while Calan finishes his nap. 3) Maisie loving the pool on Saturday. Calan was not into swimming this trip. I think the pool was too cold for him. 4) Maisie loving life Saturday night after dinner and walking around downtown. 

Saturday morning was the Venetian Parade. It was the kids' first parade we have ever gone to. 1) Walking downtown to the parade. 2) Calan watching the fire truck go pass. He loved it, but thought it was too loud so close. 3) That is a tractor on steroids. Calan loved it. 4) Calan loved all the bands and would listen and clap for them. The bands were always my Grandfather's favorite part. Made me happy to see Calan enjoy them so much. 

After dinner Saturday night, we walked along the marina that now includes a splash pad since its remodel a few years ago. Calan wanted to go in, but wanted someone to go in with him. He would not do it by himself, so Grandpa Gris came to the rescue and got soaked. 

Saturday night after our walk downtown, we headed for more ice cream. Calan choose chocolate. Let's just say, we headed back for bath time shortly afterward. The kid was a disaster. 

Again, a best attempt at a family photo. One day we will get a good one.