Vacation and a Wedding 2014

Thursday, June 26, 2014
We are back from the Jones Family Vacation + a wedding 2014! All of us had a fabulous time in Michigan and can’t wait to go back.  

We spent the first day in Grand Haven and, sadly, it rained for most of the day. But in between storms, we were able to go strawberry picking and make it to the “Imagination Station” to play. The Imagination Station is the coolest playground EVER. Seriously, you could get lost in this thing! 

Day 2 we decided to head out to the beach despite the cooler weather and wet ground.  We enjoyed walking the pier to the lighthouse and feeling the sand. Maddie was hilarious, as expected: she was fine being in the sand as long as her shoes remained on.  Haha! Silly girl! She never has been a fan of the beach, but I am sure that will change as she gets older.  

After the beach, we drove the rest of the way up to Lake Houghton, MI where we would began preparing for and celebrating Vanessa and Steve’s wedding.  Over the next couple of days, we spent tons of time with family, including seeing some who we haven’t seen since our own wedding.  We also met lots of new family and we immediately fell in love with them all.  It was a sweet sweet time. 

Maddie slept better than expected in the hotel cribs, but she also likes climbing into bed with us in the middle of the night, too.  

Phil, Maddie and I did have a little time (again, in between rain storms) to drive up to what we call the phantom petting zoo.  Our GPS just did not want us to get there, but with lots of perseverance, we finally found our way and we are glad we did.  This was the coolest petting zoo ever with animals we had never seen before and other exotic ones we didn’t expect like monkeys! Maddie loved it and we enjoyed feeding everybody carrots. 

Saturday morning was spent preparing for the big wedding! I got my hair and makeup done at a local salon with all of the gals and then we headed out for pictures.  I didn’t have a chance to take many, myself, but I cannot wait to see the professional ones when they are ready. The weather couldn’t have been better and Vanessa and Steve were seriously STUNNING! Both of them! They make one beautiful couple. 

So, onto the ceremony.  Ok, this was one of the best weddings I have even been to.  I cried so much through the songs sung by Steve’s Uncle Lou, the flash-mob song by all of Vanessa’s brothers and Steve’s sister, but most of all, the vows.  Vanessa and Steve wrote their own and they were so touching and heart-melting. I am so blessed to have been a part of this big day standing by V’s side. 

The reception was equally as amazing as the ceremony and took place in a barn a little ways down the road. The food was to die for (Indian cuisine) and the scenery was just gorgeous. I only wish that we could have stayed longer (Maddie hadn’t napped all day and really needed to get home and go to bed before crashing, so we took one of the earlier buses back to the hotel). 

I was so sad that it was over the next day! It was just perfect. But, time flies, so Phil, Mads and I loaded up the car and headed back south.  We stopped in Holland, MI on our way and visited the Dutch Village.  It was so cute! Lots of demonstrations, dancing, cheese-making and beautiful picture opps all over.  

Maddie in the Dutch Wooden Clogs

But, even after such an amazing trip, we were happy to get home, see our dog and cats and sleep in our own bed later that night.  

In other news: Maddie is growing up way too fast! As of a couple weeks ago, she can count all the way to 10! I can’t believe it! It’s so funny how she gets more and more excited as she approaches the number 10 and then finally yells it out in triumph!She is picking up new words every day and we just can’t believe how much she retains and remembers for later use.  On the vacation, we pointed out an umbrella to her and we were shocked that, upon seeing an umbrella the next day, she was pointing to it and saying, “nella.”  She also just loves pointing out the parts of her body and I try to teach her a new part every day. Yesterday, I taught her neck and so whenever she points to it, I tell her, “That’s right” and tickle her neck.  Haha.  Her giggles are too much for me and I just can’t resist. 

I will say that I am getting very emotional recently when I think about the new baby coming. I am so excited to meet her and to add to our family, but I am also sad to leave behind the time when it was just me and Maddie (and Daddy, of course). This is a sweet season in my life and I want to cherish every moment. I just love this little girl with all my heart!