Joy, Peas and Little Loves

So we are back...
My family (the Clark side) spent almost a week out in Ludington Michigan! We have done it every year so far, and for the past 8 or 9 years. A friend of the family has allowed our family the privilege of using their Victorian style vacation (a.k.a the cross house) home in Ludington. It is a gorgeous home that was built in the 1800 and can sleep over 20 people. So PERFECT for our family. It has been such an incredible blessing to have this to look forwards to each year. Sadly, this was our last year there. But, we have already spent time talking about how we are going to keep on making this "yearly family outing" happen! So what do you do in Ludington??? RELAX!! Hah! It is so peaceful there, and such a beautiful place!
There were a lot of highlights, but to name a few...
1. Having others there to "want" to watch the boys whenever needed.
2. The beach is a short walk away.
3. Family bonding time.
4. I get to have my sweet husband home ALL day..for a couple of days.
5. PRIVATE Beaches!! I LOVE them!!
6. Memories..memories and MORE memories!!

I got up there with my sister on Thursday. I was plenty due for this vacation, seeings how that Tuesday I was brought (via ambulance) to the E.R for what I thought was a seizure, but ended up being a panic attack. It was Doctors orders to take it easy...so Ludington was the perfect answer (as well as telling that spirit of fear to leave!). It was SUCH a blessing to have all my siblings and mom there to help with the kids...and so willingly for that matter! Friday was our famous pizza night! Not sure what it is about "Family pizza night", but it sure is something I look forwards to and find to be so relaxing ;) My Lovely Husband came up Friday night (and not soon enough, seeings how I was missing him a ton after our second night EVER away from eachother since we have been married!!)...Saturday everyone was up and the guys did their "morning golf" and the rest did "breakfast out". Ben and I left the kiddos for some "we" time, and headed off on our bike to a near by coffee shop! Then we hit the beach for a couple hours and ended our night with a grill out :)

Ben and I headed to our "we" time lol.

Sunday we had a Family devotion, then hit the beach again for some 7 to 9 foot waves! Talk about awesome and scary at the same time!! Eeek! Monday my Love had to leave for work in the morning, so I stayed all day. My brother Jeff and Ben (my Love) Flew a little plane back to Ludington, then we headed home...
How did my little home say, "home sweet home Becky..." With almost TEN Loads of Laundry!!! That's how...At least it's Friday...right?? Anywho...it was an awesome time!
OHHHH I do have to tell you this one story though!! So do you remember my post on the 4th of July.. I wrote about how the kids HATED the firetrucks that came down and ya...Well...we were at the beach Saturday night, getting ready to head back home...all the sudden we hear an eruption of all sorts of sirens in the distant...We all looked at eachother and wondered what could possibly be going on that would need all those emergency vehicles! Then they seemed to be getting closer...and closer. So we all stood there waiting for them to fly pass...BUT instead they head right through the beach...RIGHT where we are standing!!! A whole slue of Firetrucks..Ambulances...Police Cars...you name it they were ALL there..ALL with their sirens BLARING...From all the townships in a 100 mile radius of Ludington...at least that is what it seemed! But seriously they decided to all get together and simply blare their sirens down the streets of Ludington, all while driving 2 miles an hour....Worse part, they thought they were funny! My Kids were beyond panicked!! They were in tears Screaming!!! To say the least I was furious! I totally appreciate all they do, but I thought they went to far! They literally were laughing....
On a happier note:

There were quite a few times when each of us started recalling past memories made up in Ludington, and we didn't even have to finish the story before we erupted in giggles ;) Like the time Ben and I broke out into a live Musical Improv while in line for icecream at the popular "House of flavors"... My sister was in charge of recording it but hit the start and then end button right when we started. Oh well, at least we have our memory ...Thinking back on our first mini Vacation spent in Ludington, I would have never imagined that 9 years from then I would be bringing up my Sweet husband and two beautiful boys! I even found some photos from a couple years ago that were taken in Ludington. This first "sisters" shot, was taken before I had even met Ben.

Here are a few "now and then" shots...

This is for my sister Sarah who, sadly, was un able to attend our last year at the "Cross House" in Ludington. We greatly missed Paul and Sarah, along with their latest addition Wesley! This picture was taken I believe in 09 when they were engaged ;)