Family time in Michigan

As we all grow older, reality has become such that our summers are no longer automatically filled with long amounts of time together as an entire family. With different obligations pulling people in different directions, the time that we actually have all of us present is sadly few and far between.

Thankfully, this summer we all aligned our schedules to allow for about four days together in Michigan exploring the area around Crystal Lake. Sarah's husband Peter grew up spending his summers there, and we had heard endless good things about Michigan in the summer time. So with the combined efforts of cars, planes, and ferries, we all gathered together in a small cabin for some quality time together.

Michigan had so much to offer at this time of year, it was hard to spend how we spent our time. We filled our hours with lounging around the lake, riding bikes, kayaking, walking on Lake Michigan's beaches, racing around the Sand Dunes, and exploring the small towns around the area. We had fierce competition of the yard game "koob" every evening, and ended our time together with a long bonfire on the beach.

Our home base for the trip

What fun is sand if you can't race in it?

Canoe racing may have become slightly violent...

Our traditional family vacation mini golf competition

Most importantly, we had hours of conversation, laughter, and made new memories. It was a perfect way to end our time in the US for the summer, and was another reminder that we are so fortunate to have family that we can not get enough of! 

After a long drive home and one day to pack up our belongings in Iowa City, we left American soil once again.