Grandpa Visits the Campground

Hi there! How was your weekend? I can’t believe we are to the last full week of July! We had an extra fun weekend because grandpa came to visit. He arrived Thursday afternoon and left early this morning. Owen actually woke up crying that he was gone which proves just how much they love spending time with him.

Here is a little recap of his visit and our weekend. Thanks for reading and have a wonderful week!

Thursday

Dennis arrived straight to Ryan’s jobsite and I met them there with the boys. Drew had an eye appointment, so Lucas and Owen hung out while I took him.

I had a meeting to attend that evening. Ryan took grandpa and the boys to Five Shores Brewing, where we went last weekend. I was a little jealous, wanting one of those Michigan Mules again!

Friday

Andrew had speech therapy Friday morning and Dennis kindly stayed back with Lucas and Owen. When we got back, we decided to take the boys to a park nearby with a playground and splash pad. It wasn’t anything special, but they had fun playing in the water and on the play structures.

Afterward, we drove down to a nearby ice cream shop called Little Red’s. It’s a cute little place with a black and white tiled floor giving off a 50s diner vibe. We all ordered ice cream and a few snacks. Grandpa’s treat!

We arrived back at the campground, and the boys really wanted to go to the beach. Grandpa rested while I took the boys down. Andrew LOVES to swim, so he and I had some fun in the water. Lucas and Owen spent most of their time trying to catch minnows. Daddy and grandpa ended up joining us too.

We left the beach around dinner time and decided to keep it simple with leftover pizza. Our campground has an equestrian area and there was a horse show happening the next day. The boys loved watching the riders practice and a few offered to let them pet their horses. Horses are one of my favorite animals, so I was loved watching them too! I wish I knew how to ride.

We enjoyed a campfire for a bit before calling it a night.

Saturday

On Saturdays we like to go to the cottage to check in on things and enjoy the lake/pontoon boat between tenants. I did a few loads of laundry, Dennis and Ryan put a patio set together we didn’t get to before rental season, and the boys played/bickered ha-ha.

Once chores were finished, it was time for a boat ride! It was a beautiful sunny afternoon, and we all enjoyed a cruise on Lake Leelanau.

As we arrived back to our dock, we were surprised with an early check in from our tenants. We greeted them and quickly gathered our things to leave. Part of the fun of renting, I guess!

Everyone was pretty hungry, so we decided to eat at Little Bo in Traverse City since it wasn’t busy. I ordered the Garden Gnome Po’ Boy and it was so delicious. The boys had fun playing on the vintage Pac-Man machine. I wish I would have snapped a few more pictures!

On the way back to the campsite, we saw the strangest thing: what looked like snow in July! We’re assuming it was hail from a storm, but you just never know in northern Michigan! There were kids playing in it, so bizarre in 80-degree weather!

Owen and Lucas begged to go fishing (one of their favorite things to do) so we took them down to the lake. I think Owen is really just there for the worms ha-ha. Lucas ended up catching a sunfish, turtle, and ended the night on a high with a footlong bass! He’d been chasing it all night long, so was pretty darn proud of himself.

Sunday

Sunday morning it looked like a storm was rolling in, so we decided to eat breakfast out rather than cook outside at the campsite. It seemed everyone had the same idea, because unfortunately all of our local favorites were jammed packed. We ended up at Cracker Barrel, but the food was surprisingly really good.

After breakfast, we stopped at Blain’s Farm & Fleet for a few camper needs. Owen also picked out a new fishing rod which he was pretty excited about. Then we got ready for an afternoon outing at Platte River!

What a great spot! The water was warm to swim in and we had gorgeous views of Lake Michigan and the sand dunes. We swam for a bit, then hung out on the beach. We will definitely be back and look forward to tubing and kayaking the river one day.

Before leaving, we took a walk along the river. Owen and Lucas were looking for fish, of course! I left my phone in the van, but Ryan snapped a picture of Drew and I:)

We came home with hungry bellies and Ryan grilled cheeseburgers. After dinner, the boys wanted to fish again but didn’t have as much luck as the night before. They still had fun though, and that’s all that matters! Owen was especially stoked to use his new Spiderman fishing rod.

Grandpa left early Monday morning, before any of the boys woke up. We miss him already and thankful for the quality time this weekend!!

It’s looking like a lowkey Monday over here, as I have lots of laundry calling my name. Bye for now!