{ Making Memories }

 If you are an Instagram follower then you already know that we were gone camping over the weekend with some of our best friends. We absolutely love camping especially when we are with great people and have beautiful weather. There is literally nothing else that I would rather have done last weekend than spend time with these friends of ours!

There were 10 kids and 7 adults.The kids ranged from 8 years old and down and they had SO MUCH fun together! (two aren't shown in the photo below)

Just look at all the smiles!

We stayed at Meinert Park in Montague, Michigan. It is a really nice, smaller park and only a short walk from beautiful Lake Michigan. We spent two of the days at the beach. The kids loved splashing in the (freezing) water, playing with the sand toys, and walking along the beach!

 

And of course if you go to Lake Michigan you HAVE to sit and watch the sunset. THIS IS A MUST DO. Sometimes I think we don't know how lucky we are to be able to watch the sunset go down over the lake here. On this night, God painted the sky beautifully for us.

When we were walking back the kids decided to have a race up to the top. They drew a line in the sand and all lined up.

Ready.... Set...

GO!

They got in LOTS of bike rides to and from the beach. There is a large hill that goes down to the beach from the campground and the kids were challenged to ride up the hill without stopping. Only a few of them were able to do it on the first try. After a couple more tries everyone was able to make it up the hill at least once. They were all so proud of accomplishing that goal and it was great seeing them encourage one another. Like literally screaming "You can do it!" and cheering. It was adorable!

The park has a tiny playground just before you get to the beach. We almost walked past it because it was barely noticeable since all the beach grass was grown up so tall around it. Clearly not a main attraction here at this park!

The funny thing about that photo above is THERE ARE KIDS on all four of the swings but I couldn't see them due to the grasses being so high! The kids loved it though!

"Friends are the chocolate chips in the cookie of life."

- Unknown 

On our last night we drove into Montague and had ice cream.

The kids learned how to play leap frog (which was hilarious to watch)

 and of course...where there is a hill, rolling down it MUST happen!

We had such a fantastic weekend. THIS is how memories are made!

Not only did the kids have a great time but us adults did too. We got to sit around a campfire each night to talk and laugh, the dad's got to play games, and the moms got a little time to go on a run. We took lots of walks, made lots of yummy food, and had an all around great trip! This is one trip that I hope we can make a tradition of repeating each year. I really am so blessed to have these amazing friends of mine and really happy that we can spend quality time together making memories! 

I have the BEST girlfriends in the world. These girls are so supportive, encouraging, fun, and real. We talk mommy stuff, share life moments with each other, help one another out when we need it, and sometimes get into some trouble too! I am lucky to have known them since high school and still have such great friendships after all these years. We've lived states apart at times and we can always pick right back up where we left off and that is why our friendships work. We don't expect a phone call each and every day but when we do get time to chat or get together we always have the best time. So not only did the kids have a great trip and lots of fun things to do but I got to spend time with some of my best friends and I call myself lucky for that!

 A friend is one that knows you as you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you have become, and still, gently allows you to grow. – William Shakespeare

Hope you all are enjoying your summer too!