Northern Michigan- New Years

We are headed home from a little getaway to Northern Michigan, Harbor Springs. A few weeks before Christmas I told Adam it would be fun to go on a trip since Ella and Paige both had two weeks off for Christmas break. We searched high and low for vacation rentals within driving distance of Indiana. It was almost impossible to find anything. 

After sending an email to an owner of a vacation rental we use in Michigan she suggested the Harbor Springs area in Northern Michigan. There was one house available for rent the week we wanted, and I jumped on it. It was almost like it was meant to be. 

We headed out the Tuesday after Christmas. It was a nine hour drive which made for a long day. Once we finally arrived Paige was so excited to get out in the snow. The snow was one of the main reasons for picking Harbor Springs. There was just enough snow to play in, but not too much that made it impossible to get around. 

Our rental had a wood burning fireplace. Each morning Adam would get it going. We stayed in pajamas until lunchtime, and I drank way too much coffee. It was so nice not to rush around or worry about our normal routine at home. 

It snowed the first day we were there, and it was so pretty. Before we headed out for the day we played in the snow for awhile. 

Paige LOVES the snow! I took a pair of waterproof gloves with me for her and ended up buying another pair while we were there. Neither would stay on her hands. 

This picture represents how I felt about being on this trip. I loved it! 

Paige and Ella both had to make snow angels. 

We stayed at 4188 Turfway Trail. Our rental was called "scenic sanctuary" which is exactly what it was. 

It started snowing before we headed out so I set up my tripod for a picture. Luckily everyone cooperated. My picture taking gets annoying to everyone, but there is a reason for it. :) 

We headed to Downtown Harbor Springs for a little shopping. There weren't many stores, but it was fun to walk around. Their Christmas tree looked like something out of a movie. It was beautiful!

 

We grabbed lunch and headed back to eat. (everything restaurant in Michigan is carry out only right now). After lunch we went out to play in the snow. 

Finally some relaxation! 

This kid has no idea how lovely she is!

I absolutely loved this house. The neighborhood was so pretty. It was perfect for this vacation!

Later that night we drove back downtown so I could see everything lit up. It was like something out of a Christmas movie. 

 

The next day we lounged around for way too long. We ended up grabbing lunch at the same restaurant from the day before and went to see Little Traverse Bay. Lake Michigan looks completely different in the winter as it does in the summer. Still beautiful, but SO cold. 

I loved this statue of a boy holding his sailboat. 

After lunch we headed to Petoskey, MI to go downtown. Yet again, it looked like something out of a movie. We didn't find many souveneirs this trip, but it was still fun to walk around. 

I made reservations at Boyne Valley Vineyards for New Years Eve. We rented a heated igloo to enjoy wine, hot chocolate, and snacks. It was a fun, different experience. 

Tri-pod for the win again! 

Nothing like sitting and listening to your twelve year old lecture you about drinking wine. :) 

Someone brought their sweet dog to work, and she couldn't stay out of our igloo. It may have had something to do with the snacks we were giving her. She was such a sweet dog though and made our visit there even more fun. 

On our way back to our rental we made a pit stop at Walmart, because Adam wanted to make a purchase. They didn't have the item he wanted (some virtual reality game), but they did have this sequin dress which was perfect for new years. 

Paige came back and put it on and wore it with pride until she hit rock bottom that night. 

Happy to be spending another new years with them!

A beautiful morning view from the deck. 

We were supposed to go snow tubing that day, but decided not to go. We were all tired and could not get moving. Instead, Adam built this igloo. He made a huge pile the first day so it could get hard, and then he chiseled it out. It took way longer than he expected but turned out so neat. 

Chiseling away!

Two hours later....

It even had windows!

It was another great trip. I wasn't sure about going right after Christmas and going somewhere new is always iffy. We had so much fun though, and it was a nice break from the normal routine. I have learned over the years that you will probably never regret going a trip but probably will regret not going. I'm thankful for all the extra time together and memories made! 

Merry Christmas

Christmas Eve finally came and we were so excited. Everyone loves going to Mammy and Peeps house for Christmas Eve.  

I always take a few pictures on Christmas Eve morning, because we are always exhausted on Christmas day. 

Elliott loves pictures. He climbed up in Ella's lap and sat right down like he knew what to do. 

This is a good representation of our family. Paige and I are the crazy ones, and Adam and Ella are the quiet crazies. Lol! It's usually pure chaos all the time. 

It was a very merry Christmas at my parent's house for Christmas. I would love to know how many Christmas's have been celebrated in this living room. This was my 38th, but my mom grew up in this house too. There are a ton of memories in this room. 

Paige loved her vanity. She's a girly girl through and through so this was the perfect gift for her. 

It was spitting snow all day which was a highlight for me. I hope for a white Christmas every year, but I'm usually not that lucky. I loved seeing the snow flurries all day. 

Once we got home it started snowing again. This is the "whitest" Christmas we have seen in awhile. 

The real fun began around 9:00pm. If you are a parent, you know what I'm talking about. The assembling, stocking filling, and last minute gift wrapping. By the time 10:30 rolled around Adam and I were ready to kill each other. There was no talking, just trying to get done so we could go to bed. 

Everything was ready to go before bedtime though! Somehow we always pull it off. 

Paige woke up around 3:30am wondering if Santa had come yet. Luckily she was able to get back to sleep. Just like every Christmas, Ella woke me up at 5am ready to go. This is why Christmas is so exhausting, but I wouldn't have it any other way. 

Ella and I always watch "A Christmas Story" and wait for Adam and Paige to wake up. 

We woke Paige up around 7, and she was raring to go. She ran out of her room to see what Santa had left for her. She was thrilled to see he brought her a gymnastics bar and mat. 

The boys had a plate of sausage gravy for Christmas, and they declared it the best Christmas ever! 

We couldn't do our usual get together with Adam's side of the family so they brought over gifts with masks on. How weird does that sound? I still can't get over it some days. 

Although it wasn't our typical Christmas, it was still a great one. My parents came over for lunch. I made lasagna, bread, and salad. We watched Paige put on a gymnastics performance all afternoon and tried to play hide and seek but Paige kept crying. Lol! Once nighttime rolled around we were all exhausted. I have never been so happy to go to bed. I'm so thankful we had such a great Christmas! 

The holiday season 2020

It was such a different holiday season than what we are used to. We usually have multiple Christmas activities planned and lots of fun to be had. COVID killed those plans this year. Although it killed our plans, it didn't kill our spirit. We still had a great holiday season. 

We were supposed to go to Gatlinburg again for Thanksgiving, but we decided it was not a good idea. People seem to be flocking to Gatlinburg during COVID unfortunately, and it's crowded! It was disappointing, but we still made the best of it. We were all well and able to spend Thanksgiving together as a family. That was definitely something to be thankful for. 

We started "decking the halls" before Thanksgiving. We needed some Christmas cheer. Since we didn't have any plans the holiday season we (or I) spent money on things like a pink Christmas tree for the playroom. 

After getting multiple (insanely high) estimates on outdoor light installation on our house, we decided that the best route was doing it ourselves. We typically don't put out lights, but we figured everyone needed some extra Christmas cheer this year. I loved to see it out there every night and will probably put them out every year now. 

I love seeing our house at Christmastime. 

Adam suggested we camp in the basement one weekend so that's what we did. We put up the tent in the basement, ordered pizza, and went to the fantasy of lights. 

Paige and I both had a blow up mattress in the tent, and it was actually pretty comfortable. This is my kind of camping. Ella slept in her bed and Adam was on the couch. 

This holiday season did bring about a little excitement. One Thursday I was at a hair appointment and received a call from Ella's school. She was a close contact of someone who tested positive for COVID and had to be sent home. Add on the fact that she had to be "quarantined" for the next week and a half which meant virtual school. It was a little daunting at first, but it ended up working out. She was BORED and missed school but survived it. While in quarantine, I ordered her hamster, Judas, a santa hat. We dressed him up and took his picture. Getting a santa hat on a hamster is no easy task!

The month of December is filled with Christmas fun at preschool. I loved the Christmas crafts Paige brought home. 

A socially distanced visit from a masked Santa in a shaved ice truck... totally normal during COVID. 

Instead of a Christmas program this year, preschool had a Christmas party for the kids with activities. They also sang a few songs and recorded them. Parents could not be there, but the kids still had a great time. It's fun to see weekly pictures posted on their facebook page each week. Although we can't be present at parties and such, it is still fun to see what our kiddos are up to. 

We went and picked up a charcuterie board one Saturday and Paige wanted to get a picture in front of this setup. 

      Ella and Paige were so happy to make it to Christmas break. Ella had the "ultimate dress up day" on her last day. She wore Christmas tree onesie pajamas.  

The last few days of pre-k before break were filled with Christmas activities. Paige had so much fun! 

Last but not least, we made Santa cookies the day before Christmas Eve. They didn't turn out that great, but Paige had fun making them. She loves anything that makes a mess. :)