On Driving to Far Away Places. | Spring Break 2015

Remember 119 days ago when everyone went on Spring Break? Well, we took a little trip too! I’m just now blogging about it – because, life. But seriously, it was a week I want to remember and since my brain has been totally overtaken by all things motherhood I’ll continue to rely on this blog to do my remembering for me.

Dear internet, please don’t ever go away.

Ryan and I are always up for an adventure… which is why we thought we’d drive from Grand Rapids, Michigan to Orlando, Florida in a van filled with 1, 3 and 5 year olds. Here we are right before pulling out of our driveway. Looking good! Ready for family fun times! Wahoo!

Just north of Indianapolis we decided that we would never ever ever attempt such a feat ever again. Thankfully my Aunt Linda and Uncle Matt let us crash at their house in Louisville for the night. Yay! Relatives!

Here’s a bit of free advice for you: Rerouting through Savannah to avoid Atlanta traffic is a terrible idea. Here’s more free advice; I highly recommend stopping somewhere near a Waffle House to let your kids risk their lives by an icy stream.

The last leg of the drive Ryan and I switched seats quite regularly in an effort to stay awake and restore our friendship. We’d do some deep knee bends, high leg kicks, give each other pep-talks and high-fives in front of the van as we crossed paths to and from the driver’s seat. “We can do this! We are going to make it! Just 9.5 more hours! I love you. Let’s hug it out. Ooh Rah!”

By the grace of God we made it safely, I’m not much of a crier, but tears were rolling down my cheeks as we pulled into Aaron and Tracy’s driveway around 2am.

I’ve never started a vacation so exhausted. Which is one of the reasons, this “vacation” qualified more as a “trip”.

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Family Hike at Dr. Lawless Park

Doesn’t this picture make you want to frolic down that trail of crunchy fallen leaves? Me too! My dad took this picture, which is one of the many reasons it is so wonderfully inviting.

 

I love hiking with my family! Ryan, Aaron and John carried babies on their backs and the whole fam hit the trail at Dr. Lawless Park on one beautiful fall day.

Ruby found a walking stick.

 

Buckets of Treasures and Piles of Pumpkins

We started vacation off right – exploring Grammy and Papa’s woods. My mom got Ruby and Lydia special buckets to collect all their “treasures” and all week-long those girls found leaves, acorns, pinecones, rocks, and other treasures to fill those buckets.

Clara is crazy for cats. She squealed and screamed with excitement every time Kitty came within view of the house. The feeling was not mutual.

Ruby and Lydia wore these princess dresses over their clothes most days. They would sit in the windowsill and watch their daddy and uncles outside. I love that these little cousins love each other so much.

Ryan’s shorts and boots were a highlight of the trip for me.

Later that day, we went to the pumpkin patch. Angela, John, Lydia and Norah win the prize for best family photo by the pumpkin. Lydia’s cute face peeking out and Norah giving the stare-down. So great.

My dad is the photographer extraordinaire who can be credited with any and all good pics I post over the next few days. You can see a lot more of his photography and read his words of wisdom over on his blog www.markbeeson.com.

In closing, as is typical when Ryan, Aaron and John are together, the grill was hot and the wings were too!

Beeson Family Staycation 2012 – InstaLife

This year the Beeson Family gathered for a week together at my parents house. Hooray for STAYCATION! We hiked, built fires, went to the pumpkin patch, enjoyed the fall weather, spent a day on the Dunes at Lake Michigan, took walks to the meadow, chopped wood, shot guns, and just had a great time being together without much of an agenda. I’m excited to post pictures this week – for today I’ll give you the Instagram version of our week together.

Here’s a look back at the last 5 years of Beeson Family Vacations.

Ft. Meyer’s Beach, FL – 2007
Glen Lake, MI – 2008
Aaron and Tracy’s Wedding, FL – 2009
Lake Tahoe, CA – 2010
Smoky Mountains, TN – 2011

Cox Cottage – Ruby’s Turtle

A little painted turtle made his way through the yard one day – and mysteriously ended up in a bucket which Ruby discovered after her nap. She didn’t hesitate to stick her hand in there and grab him…

 

She checked him out, then (with a little prompting) released him back into the wild where he belonged.

There is no end to the number of pictures I could post from our family vacation at the cottage. Here are a few more… mostly so I can look back and remember the girls at these ages, but also for your enjoyment.

More Pics from Cox Cottage