One of our primary goals during the time Jake was home was to head up to Michigan and visit with family on the other side of the lake. Since Jim couldn’t take much time off, we chose to make it a day trip.

Once we arrived in Holland, we stopped off to see the popular Albert K’s Cafe, started and run by my Aunt Ellen. I found this picture of Aunts Ellen and Chris:

After observing the steady stream of customers and the bustling work in the kitchen, we made a pit-stop at Chris’s to change into swim suits and pick up the tray of brownies and almond bars she had made for us to take to the beach.

Then we met cousins at the beach!

They had fun being goofy,

building castles,

and spending lots of time in the water.

The giant raft was a main attraction, and appeared to hold up under the weight of all the kids.

Another attraction was the Sea Doo. The kids (and adults) went out two-by-two and had a blast.

We ended the day by joining my Grandpa Barker and Aunt Chris for dinner at Bob Evans. Grandpa posed for a picture afterward with the kids.

As we drove back home, one of the kids commented that “it was a perfect day!” I had to agree.