Michigan 2012 - Part 2

After our brief but great stop in Chicago, we headed toward Traverse City, MI for the main reason for our big adventure.  My 5 high school girlfriends and their families were meeting us for our first vacation together. This was a trip about 2 years in the making with trying to coordinate many schedules, babies, and such.  Angie, the super planner, took lead and made sure it happened.  I'm still amazed all of us and our families made it!  It was 6 couples plus 9 kids all 5 and under (actually 8 were 3 and under).

We stayed at the Crystal Mountain Resort, and it was very nice. There was a ton to do right at the resort which was great for all of our kids with varying schedules.  We all arrived on Sunday late afternoon/evening. The next day, it was actually kind of cool so we opted for the indoor swimming pool in the morning.

We pretty much took over the pool

Caitlin being tossed by Daddy

After lunch, we headed to the Alpine slide.  The resort is a ski resort in the winter (think Michigan hills, not Rockies).  But, you can ride the chair lift up the mountain then take these sleds down the alpine slide. It was actually a lot of fun. Caitlin would complain that it was loud but both kids loved it.  Even the chair ride up was fun. We did it over and over.

Daddy and Caitlin coming down

Mommy and Caitlin

Mommy and Evan ready to ride (Dave in the background)

Sarah and Julian ready and then Zac and Ray behind them (Lauren in the way back)

Daddy and Caitlin ready - she is already covering her ears!

After that, people took naps and rested. Then it was dinner. This is what a lot of our meals looked like:

That's utter chaos if you weren't sure...

All the kids (minus the 2 babies) eating

Monday night, the resort had a Luau party so we went to check it out. Both kids got their first face painting...

Caitlin got a flower

Evan got a dragon

It's breathing fire around his nose/mouth.

Family photo from the Luaua

Daddy and Caitlin dancing

Daddy attempting the hula hoop

Caitlin doing the limbo

Caitlin doing the balance line

Evan loved kicking the ball around with Hadley. It was fun to watch them play together. 

And that was our first day!! Next up... Sleeping Bear Dunes!