St. Joseph, Michigan

We had so much fun at Lake Michigan two years ago that we decided to do it again!  It's such an easy drive and so similar to being at the ocean!  We tried a new city this time though - St. Joseph!

Packed and ready to go:

 Chick-Fil-A & Albanese on the way:

 Josh picked a great house for us for the week.  It was in the woods but had private beach access.  We loved it!  

 My favorite part:

 A small, public beach close to our house:

Waiting for our table on the first night:

 The large public beach:

Second Night Out - We ate at SO MANY GREAT restaurants thanks to Josh's diligent research:

 Our family went to watch the sunset at our private beach a few times:

 St.Joseph's best known restaurant is Silver Beach Pizza.  We liked it so much we at there twice!

 There is a giant carousel and splash pad by the beach:

 We rented an 8 man bicycle which was not easy, to say the least!  They said they usually recommend at least 4 adults pedaling.... they told us that AFTER... haha.... but we still had fun!!

We took a break for ice cream:

 We all took advantage of the hot tub:

 We went to a minor league Cubs game one night:

 Sweet Aleah had a rough night at the ballgame.  She busted open her chin on the playground; she got gum caught in her hair which we cut out with a pocket knife; and she tripped running the bases at the end of the night and skinned her knees.  She got a signed ball for all of her efforts, haha!  

We spent a morning alone at the private beach:

 We went go-karting and to the batting cages:

This Spiderman ice cream might have been the best part about vacation for Lucas.  He was so excited:

All of the girls in cold shoulder shirts (unplanned):

Lucas said "This chair looks like the perfect spot for me!"

Hannah CAREFULLY chose her souvenir (she had this shirt made):

Back to Silve Beach Pizza:

Where Lucas fell asleep in his chair.... in the middle of a loud, crowded restaurant!

I carried Lucas up several flights of stairs this way.  He was OUT.  See the drool running down my shoulder?

We watched the sunset again at the small public beach where a trumpet player played taps:

Hannah wanted to stop at the beach one last time for a few sister pics before we left town.  It was so hard to leave!

I took a few shots of the family / kids with my real camera at the private beach:

What a great week!  We all agreed that we should go back next year, even if just for the weekend!