Holland 2

Michigan Vacation Part 1-August 2008

It has been a very busy summer for all of us. Barb has worked as the waterfront director for the Boy Scouts at Camp Warren Levis, Emily has worked non-stop as a lifeguard at Splash City, a local water park, Olivia attended five weeks of summer school and then YMCA day camp, and JB taught a class and judged for Drum Corps International, culminating in judging Championship semi finals. After all this frantic activity we decided that a few down days were in order. A trip all in our family have enjoyed is going to Lake Ranch condos in Holland, Michigan.  Holland is about an eight hour drive from Edwardsville, located on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. Barb has been going to Lark Ranch since she was a little girl and one of the first vacations we took when Shaughn, Matthew and Emily were young was to Lake Ranch.  We thought this would be a great place to show Olivia her first beach.  As you can see from the video, she had no trouble getting right into the spirit of it all.  What a beach bunny!  Holland, Michigan, is a beautiful city on Lake Michigan.  Our condo was right on the water.  One morning we were awakened to a very loud WHOOOOOOOOOOT  WHOOOOOOOOOOT of a very large Lake Michigan ship transiting the canal next to the condo.  That will get you right out of bed!  Other attractions in Holland (as one might imagine) are the Dutch Village and Windmill Island.  Olivia had a terrific time discovering yet another culture.... I am sure that her head is spinning right about now.  We watched the Olympics at night and played at the beach all day.  After dinner each evening we walked to a small general store for ice cream.  All in all this was a fabulous vacation. Part two video to come soon!