It feels more like home every time I’m here–family, of course, making up for the bulk of it, but the memories–all of a sudden, these childhood memories resurfacing–the bonfires, the chipmunks, the soft grass, the oak leaves, the acorns, the dogwood, the birch bark, the robins, the pebbles on Lake Huron shore. I am picturing my kids’ brains doing data entry–the scenes, the scents, the sounds–storing, storing, storing. Tiny little brain typewriters tapping away. Tiny little brain cameras clicking.
Michigan. We’re in soul recharge mode.
I brought a stack of soul-filling books and a highlighter with me, but I haven’t picked up one yet. I’m finding myself mind-highlighting more with real-life scenes.
Like these.
Lainey watching Cousin Brooklyn doing gymnastics. All she’s been talking about.
This is my family.
My family meeting my family.
My heart is so full.
I’ve said “Summer Bucket List, Check” about ten times the past two days. Like flower wreaths for our hair. And Mackinac Island Fudge. And catching frogs. And making dandelion wishes. And s’mores. And coffee on the dock. And “Mom, are they my cousins too?”
We’re currently on Mackinac Island, and my girls are little tourist sponges, begging me to head out of our hotel room again. So, that we’ll do.
More to come.
Those Pure Michigan commercials?
They’re for real. This place is so beautiful.
Happy Summer, friends. Make lots of memories this season.
…off to explore the nightlife…jammied kids in strollers.
sribant says
love that you love Michigan!! that’s where i am from! we are going to Mackinac next week!
Katie says
Love the pics. Just moved to ATL from the mitten and am aching for some “up north” air. Warms my heart.
Christina @ The Murrayed Life says
This is my favorite time of the summer in the north. I crave it every year, and have a lot/hate relationship with all the pics I see coming in on the internet. I can’t look and can’t not, ya know?
But I’m coming soon. Soon, soon. And I just can’t wait!
Keep soaking it in with your precious family. So much love there. <3
Kaylee says
Mmm, your words are so delicately wrapped around such a picturesque vacation.
I am insanely craving some Up North time and think your words do it justice…
for now.
Life with Kaishon says
I love Michigan. Mackinac is all sorts of magical, isn’t it?
Happy vacationing to you and your babies.
Happiness is... says
2 words: Doesn’t’ suck!
Enjoy!
Maria says
This post is a little taste of Heaven…babies, dogs, cousins, lake views, fairy gardens…perfect
Karibean says
Love this! Reminds me of our family cabin in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. Soak it up!
Argyrie says
I lived in Grand Rapids for three years (moved from Los Angeles) and HATED the cold, snow and gray skies. I even hated trying to swim in cold, murky Lake Michigan in summer lol. BUT…you somehow make me want to go back and re-think and see it through different eyes. Oh you have such a talent for romance and appreciating the simple things…it’s a gift Kelle! Love the last photo of Poppa, the kids and dogs…pure bliss!
Em says
So cute little kids!!! that’s an awesome getaway!! reminiscing your childhood memories with your whole family.. That is soo cute! and you all look so happy :))
<3
http://www.loveandelegance.info
Tiffany says
That looks really beautiful. Enjoy the rest of your trip.
Janita says
Looks magical. Enjoy every sweet, wondrous moment. xo
Lindsey Z says
Lovely photos! I lived in Michigan for a little while as a kid- the Detroit area. Definitely not as picturesque as where you are!
Lindsey
The Accidental Wallflower
Donna O. says
Welcome home! 🙂
Jenna E says
Beautiful! Looks a lot like where I live in Canada. I am so happy I get to raise my baby surrounded by nature 🙂
Jana says
Just when I feel an itch to leave home and ‘get out of here!!!’…really wanting to soak in the sun on a beach by the ocean, your photos make me realize I’m just fine here in WI. Looks exactly like my last 48 hours. Thanks for the perspective tonight. Enjoy the rest of your vacation!
aubrey kinch says
These babes just melt my heart, Kelle.
Enjoy your time refreshing with family.
xx
Smile, Laugh, Cherish and Take Lots of Pictures says
Born and raised in Northern Michigan and love it!! Glad to hear such positive comments from you. Raising my family here now and loving it, thanks for sharing:)
Rachel @ Existation says
These photos just SCREAM summer. I loooove it. I miss it. Cali summers are just not the same as Minnesota (slash Michigan) ones.
Nicola says
So soul fuelling,
Does it kind of temper being away from family knowing that your hometown is this truly magical special and far from ordinary place for your kids?
Go fuel up, I’m three days from returning (exam free!) to my happy re-fuel station place.
Also Nella in the backwards cap, triple yes.
http://www.mindfulgrateful.blogspot.com
Monique says
A wonderful LOVE filled post. Every word. Every photo. Strung together so effortlessly-you are in soul recharge! Thanks for sharing your happy happy place!
May the tiny brain typewriters keep tapping away and the little brain cameras keep clicking…AMAZING memories they are capturing!! (superb description Kelle)
Can hardly WAIT for our Summer to start!!!
Cheers!
Monique
(I’m from Canada and I sooooo miss listening to your music choice while reading your posts!!!)
Dayle @ A Collection of This and That says
Oh, yes … we loved Mackinac Island. A must visit.
Enjoy the beauty.
Hazel says
Pure gold. Michigan looks gorgeous Kelle. Smiled big at the stripey bonds suit in dappled MI light. Maggie and Elisabeth almost fit the suits you sent us!! Xxx
Farmgirl Paints says
the puppies! oh my word…sweetness. i’m heading to Michigan in a few weeks to stay with a friend. i can hardly wait. i’d love to hit mackinaw…not sure how far that is from her. hmmmmm?
kcolquitt says
Headed up on Thursday!! We will be in and out of St. Joe and Chicago all week, Little D is getting married, but let me know if you pass through and can stop for a bit. It could be a grand reunion…and I’ll bet my dad can find a few more doctor gloves. 🙂
TheAlmostFoodie says
Could your children be any more beautiful? I’m going to vote no. What a lovely family you have. Also, that Abraham Lincoln tee? Want.
VPost says
Great post!! I remember your vacation from last year and it looks just wonderful. Dash is getting so big (just a month older than my baby!). The girls look like they are having a blast. Enjoy!!
Karen L says
So glad you’re enjoying your time here. I think if I ever left Michigan, I’d leave my heart behind.
highlandia says
this looks so beautiful and amazing!
Emily R. says
This post almost made me tear up. I was born in Michigan, and it’s where my relatives still live. I grew up spending the summers at my grandparents’ house on Houghton Lake, and I took a trip, nearly ever summer, to Mackinac. My husband and I are going to Mackinac Island for our first anniversary this summer, and I’m so excited. He’s never been, and I’m just hoping that he loves it as much as I do! Have a great time!
Annie says
Sounds amazing. Wonderful memories for your kids and for you. And how cute is Dash! And the one of Nella marching up from the beach. Adorable.
How on earth did you fly with three kiddos and one adult? I’d love any tips you have!
Erin Bettis says
Beautiful photos as usual, Kelle. You make me want to go home to my family in AZ. Sounds like you’re having a wonderful trip.
-Erin
Raelyn says
Kelle….
Oh, you are making me long for a lovely camping location of my childhood. Towering trees. A salty lake. Uphill rocks to climb. Scampering chipmunks. Firewood smoke. Brisk mornings with crows cawing away. Chilly evenings warmed by the fire. Pretty dragonflies. Unique-winged moths. And, yes, mosquitoes!! –Sigh–
I love, love, love the picture of Poppa {Sorry, I cannot remember his name. I can call him that, right?} with Dash, Nella, and the dogs. Look who isn’t sleepy? Hee, hee, hee…. ;-D
–Raelyn
Phyl says
So happy for you. Thanks so much for sharing, you beautiful thing. Phyl
Sarah says
It’s so neat to see how many people head up there for vacations. My parents lived in St. Ignace for a few years when my dad did the morning show on the radio. We’ve gone up there every year for some vacation time in the summer since we were children. Mackinac Island is one of my favorite places to visit when we’re there. It never gets old. And it really is so relaxing. I’m jealous of you right now! Enjoy!
Colleen says
OMG. The photos in this post are extra heart melting 🙂
Laurie says
Poppa Ric’s photo with the puppies and the babes is heart stealing. Best every grandfather pic.
ameliawalton.com says
Hey Kelle,
My comment isn’t related to Michigan (but how very lovely it all seems!) but instead to a little inspiration seed that I got from you. I follow you on Instagram and have been disheartened more than once to see people being so heavy handed in their comments about the parts of your life that you so bravely share. People’s willingness to jump in with weighty opinions online that they would clearly never share face-to-face is an unfortunate phenomenon that we’re all familiar with, but there’s something that I find particularly reprehensible about women picking on other women, when we’re all trying so hard to just do and be. And more than that, to do and be our best. I’ve been trying to think about a way to take that message to the streets, to push the message that just like everything else, we are what we publish, because I hate seeing women, writers, mamas, HUMANS getting picked on. Today I was invited to post on Girl’s Gone Child, and I tried to muddle through some of that thinking. I know that it’s a small thing, but as a longtime ETST reader and a rare commenter, I just wanted to come out of the woodwork to say that I wrote this in part because I wanted to stand by you and all of the other notable bloggers that do what I’m still often too afraid to. The post is here if you’re interested, and I hope that you’re having a wonderful vacation! Thanks for being brave.
Ashley Elizabeth says
This looks like an amazing trip – the photos portray so much love! That last picture kills me! They’re so cute!
dayoppermom says
Love the picture of your dad and the little guys and the dogs. Everyone looks so content. (Well, maybe not the dogs.)
Julie Swanson says
This is an adorable post! And gorgeous photos! Thanks for sharing!
Suzanne says
So happy to see those wonderful photos! Hope you have good weather while you’re there. Here in Wisconsin, it has been hit or miss with crazy cold spells!
Tanya Lee says
Guess who wants to go to Michigan now??? This girl right here!! I’ve always been more of a lover of green, woods, rivers, and mountains and it looks like I could find something to love about Michigan. I also want to go out and take fantastic pictures of my kiddos, too. Thanks for painting such a magical picture of your vacation!
Barb says
Stunning. Thanks for the lift!
Stephanie says
I have never been. Guess it’s on the bucket list for the next few years!
Kelly Cach says
Kelle!!! So happy for you, and trying to avoid that pit in my stomach I have for you upon your return to your Florida home. I am weird, I know… But I can feel your love for Michigan and wish you could stay for always (with Brett too, of course :).
Lovin’ your memory makin’ heart!
beth says
OMGOODNESS!!!!
could Dash be any cuter?
slightly in love with that little face. : )
xo
The Pawlak Family says
There is NO PLACE LIKE MICHIGAN! Great post. Love your family. My parents live in Traverce City and Naples. Not bad, right?!?!
Becky says
Ah, the Island! Spent two summers working at Mission Point Resort. THE TIME OF MY LIFE!!! Enjoy every last minute of it – the smell of the horse poo included! JEALOUS!
lindley says
That’s it!! We’re moving there. Tomorrow! Ohhhh how dreamy of a bucket list to cross off in 2 days! Missing my friends in Grand Rapids for sure! Glad you are enjoying!
Onya says
I’ve lived in Michigan my entire life and have definitely taken the beauty of our state for granted. Thanks for giving me a little reminder of what a great place it is!
Kimberly Schuessler says
Your post is so, so, SO dear to me, brought tears to my eyes. My little family lived in Michigan for only one year, but we will never, ever forget its beauty and simplicity. You are 100% spot on, those commercials are no joke. Everyone should visit!
We are leaving soon for our annual vacation there over the fourth of July and can hardly wait to be back in that place we knew as home. Miss it dearly, and hope to someday move back.
Enjoy yourself. It would be hard not to 😉
Bianca Y says
Oh wow, these photos are so beautiful. When I travel to America, Michigan will definitely go on my to-visit list.
Clara Hinton says
Kelle,
You have a way of bringing out the magical in everything! Beautiful photos of some beautiful moments in life! Thanks so much for sharing. Always, always a great reminder to me to look for those little special moments that really are the “big moments” that warm our hearts forever.
Love to you,
Clara
PS I love Nella’s hair! She’s looking so grown up all of a sudden.
Yellow Finch says
family meeting family. i have goosebumps. such wonderful memories being created.
the first picture reminds me of where we vacation in maine. there are tiny fairy houses tucked all over the island!
Kelly Sheehy says
So so beautiful and so inspiring! Thank you! 🙂
superfizz says
So lovely looking, everyone looks like they are having a wonderful time. Cheers to you!
Brown-Eyed Girl says
I absolutely love your use of photos! Right now I am looking for a camera and am taking a few classes to find which one is going to be best for me. What is it that you are using for your beautiful pictures? I love that you always seem to have it with you, so it must not be too bulky, and that you can take selfies and hold it with one hand for that gorgeous shot of the frog in your hand with your little girl running with a container to put it in! Just wanted to know what someone else is using that uses it the way that I would like to!
cmfrazier says
thanks for sharing the beautiful pics. i will definitely add michigan to the bucket list. also really loved the abe lincoln tee that nella is wearing and would love to know where you found it.
Bridgette says
I am a Michigander from birth, and “Up North” doesn’t get old. Mackinac Island fudge? Jealous.
Jodi says
Welcome home!
And (other than last night’s storms) thanks for bringing some true warm weather from Florida. We’ve been lacking in summer so far and we appreciate it.
Enjoy your visit!
Bonjour! says
,,,my fav photo nella with the b-cap on backwards & her polka-dot shorts and the pic of your father, nella, dashel and the pups. kodak moments! to bad your hubby is not there to enjoy the vacay with all of you,,,
amy says
Hi,
Just finished your book, “Bloom” and I can’t stop thinking about it. I cried through most of it, ok all of it and it made me proud to be a momma. Even though I don’t have a child with DS I related to your story in every way. Every mom worries and fears for their children, fortunately we also celebrate and burst with joy.
I was just going through your blog and between the photos in your book and blog I can’t get enough of your kids. They are truely adorable and congrants on your new lil one Dash. And by the way they are always dressed in the cutest clothes. They are lucky to have such a great mom and I know you are lucky to have them too.
By the way I have two kids a boy who is 3 and boys are way cool too, just wait… and a daughter that is 15 months. Her name is Delaney and we call her Laney. Throughout the book I was reminded of my own kids and to be present in the moment.
Thank you!
Tracey Lopez says
Wow, it looks stunning there!! You have a beautiful family 🙂 Enjoy the rest of your vacation and I look forward to seeing the photos. Thank you for sharing, you are an inspiration!
Vanessa Washburn says
Nella’s little outfit with the polka dots and the backwards baseball cap is too cute. I spent one week in Michigan visiting a friends family and it was amazing. Seems like your family has the same wonderful loving spirit. Glad you all got to go on a trip.