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why michigan?

July 21, 2010

the view to my left….

and to my right.

it is empty here.
beach for miles and miles.
and we are always alone.
i love being alone.
with 10 people.

a mere 223 steep stairs down to get to the beach.
wow.
the first time back up on saturday…i thought i possibly was having a minor heart attack.
(is it possible to have a minor heart attack? probably not)

and my calves were on fire!

no one but dave would allow this.
he is a very cool dad.

craig found me one…first thing.
auuuuwwww.
he is a keeper.

jen and i cooked dinner every night but one.
afterwards on this night we had a fire on the bluff…at the top of those 223 stairs.
as in RIGHT BEHIND me is a cliff.
i am so glad we don't have any babies toddling around anymore…my heart couldn't take it.
it was already worn out from the stair master workout!

lauren learned the way to make a perfect s'more while at camp in colorado.
she gave us all demonstration.
it was cute.

the yard was amazing.

they bought a Nikon.
they must have not wanted me to borrow any of their lens or things…..

and it had video!!
i was jealous.

i mean really…..what is better than s'mores in hannah montana jammies on a lake at sunset?

we stayed till it got dark.

jen and i struck a deal with our men -
in exchange for them going golfing THREE mornings they had to put the kids to bed ALL week.
totally worth it.
i really do not like bedtime and little kids.

AND this trip we put ALL the kids (except lauren) in ONE room.
they had two queen beds and then two twin mattresses on the floor.
memory making is what i call that!

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Susan - Hey there! I found your blog a long time ago. It’s funny because you live near my old hometown, (Wichita) and I’m in Chicago (where you lived for a while, right?). I noticed on your post about Chicago Jen that you went to a church in Glenview, which is also a small world because my husband is from Glenview and his parents still live there (he’s a football coach at GBS). ANYWAY, we are trying to plan a vacation to Stevensville with my sister and we wondered where you found your rental! Any info would be great! Thanks!
Susan
http://www.reigningitin.blogspot.com

Shelly Primm - i am curious as to what is the perfect smore? maybe lauren could “guest” blog! your pictures are beautiful.

carin - michigan totally rocks.
🙂

Megan - I just found your blog and had to comment as soon as I saw the heart rock. My mom collects them and found a couple recently in Michigan. She has a TON of them.

Carol - Glad you had a nice vacation, but those stairs!? I don’t think so, unless there was a chair lift!

Denissa - How beautiful! I would have never known that there are beaches like that in Mich. I guess that I always think of it being freezing and snowy there 🙂
What wonderful memories 🙂

jaz - Oh I LOVE alone beaches. I was just in Washington and made my way to La Push Beach – um, yeah, was not alone… surrounded by crazed twilight fans with cameras in hand – CA-RAAAAZY!!!

Sandy - Looks like great fun and wonderful memories. Lauren should be a model. Seriously.

Talysa - I’m with you on the bedtime with kiddos thing. They resist…I get irritable.
Looks like you had a great time there.
How on Earth did you get all those kids to actually go to sleep though? I imagine a lot of giggling in the dark.

shelly@familyblt - Yowza, looks like so much fun!

Ashley Stinson @ The Hillside Home - looks fun. i am in major need of a vacay. love your pics as always. 🙂

Penny - You captured Michigan. Your pictures remind me so much of my childhood vacations and the ones we have taken with our girls! Michigan truly is a paradise in the summer. I am not such a fan of the winter. (Beautiful from inside looking out). Glad you all had a great time.
Did you rent a place? I’d be interested in where.

Genn - Hi Meg! Thanks for the comment on my blog! Now I am not just your blog stalker anymore. Now we’re friends. 🙂
I’ve been to Michigan one time for a wedding when my oldest was just a baby and it was so beautiul. Humid (and made my curly hair look hideous) but it was beautiful. Love the empty beach pictures. What a great time.

Holly - It looks like yall had alot of fun! I was wondering how many hotel rooms yall have to get when you go places,lol. I am thinking we may need at least 2 since there are 6 of us now!

dani - Want an awesome smore? Try using a peanut butter cup instead of plain ol’ chocolate!

candace - looks like a fabulous rest of the trip – just relaxing. did you guys drink margaritas while the men were putting the kids to bed?
p.s. i hope i look as cute/great as you after i’ve had five kids!

Alison - We were in Michigan last weekend too! We went to South Haven for the day, my Sister lives in Kalamazoo. I LOVE Michigan beaches. It’s only a 4 hour drive for me, but I hope to move close to my Sissy someday(if I can find a job….in Michigan…blah). Love your pictures!

Sally H. - SMAAAART Women – the bedtime vs golf deal was a good one. I would much rather sit back with a beer and relax while the hubbies put down the kids too! Congrats on a great trip.

Heather - I mean where IN michigan…I know where it is…lol

Heather - where is Michigan were you? my Grandfather has a cottage on Lake Huron with a similar amount stairs! Last time i was there i was about 10 so the stairs were easier to do.

colleen - I live in upstate NY and my kids are suddenly begging to go to Michigan! We have been bombarded with Michigan commercials this summer (probably on HGTV)!! It does look beautiful!

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - Oh so fun. Nothing beats smores, and on a beach…cool!!! What fun memories for the kiddos..all sleeping in one room. They’ll always remember that.
Smart bartering with the men.
I’m thinkin’ a trip to Michigan should be in our future. Beautiful!

chasity - it’s so beautiful there.
i just had to leave a note saying~
i nearly went wacky when i was browsing through my new flea market style magazine and boom! there was little annie jumping off her bed.
congratulations!
that’s awesome.
have a wonderful wonderful day~
chasity

sandy toe - that is one great deal-
sandy toe

Kristen Houston - Where in Michigan is this? We go to Holland and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it! Great family spot!

Jen - We lived in Grand Rapids for 10 years. I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED it and I miss it terribly. We camped at Lake Michigan once–that was all the camping I could handle–but it was fun! Was the water cold??? Early summer on Lake Michigan can be chilly!
Looks like you had a great time!!!

Tonya @ More Than Enough - Looks amazing! Where in Michigan were you? My brother and his family live in Traverse City and it’s gorgeous up there!

deb meyers - Michigan vacation ads all over the TV over here in NH. Your blog posts beat the TV ads bigtime : )
deb meyers

Shannon - WOW your vacations have changed in 10 years! Remember when we went to “Up North” in Wisconsin and we all were at a cabin and you were shocked that I brought food to cook while we were there? I still remember you saying, “When we go on vacation I don’t cook.” as you all were heading out the door to go to the pizza place. I’m glad to see you had a great time enjoying each other — that’s a great vacation.

Juli - “Alone” w/ 10 favorite people looks vastly different than the days before in Chicago. Your big city photos made me hyperventilate (all those people, fast city)…stressful just to view them and I live in a city! Michigan looks more my speed.

Amber Ferrier - I am also lucky enough to live on a lake in Michigan. It gets such a bad rap sometimes but it is seriously the Best place to vacation if your going “lake style” Thanks Meg for capturing our beautiful summer’s here! Glad you had a great vacation.

Julie - Wow! That looks like the perfect family vacation spot! I would LOVE the isolation. A hate crowds, esp. crowded beaches. I totally “get” the bedtime deal you made! That really made your week a vacation!!!!!!

Tara - we live on Lake Ontario – with the same pretty rocks.

Barb - I’m lucky enough to live a couple miles from Lake Michigan. I never get tired of it. It is so beautiful. And the water is really warm this year (for Lake Michigan). Did you notice that? So glad you had a good vacation. (And thanks for spending it in Michigan! This state needs tourists.)

Kate - I grew up in Michigan and can say with complete certainty that it’s the BEST place to vacation. We go every other year and I wish I still lived there. It’s amazing how much I took that gorgeous beach for granted growing up.

Curtis & Sherrie - What a beautiful spot there in Michigan… that beach looks awesome and all that green all around. Here in northern California everything has already turned brown from the heat and wind…. it would be awesome to spend some time at that lake….
blessings to you and yours
Curtis & Sherrie

Tracy - Looks like there was a ton of fun had by all! I’ve never thought about going to Michigan to the beach – LOL Love the deals you struck with the hubbys – too funny – will have to remember that one! LOL Though, my kiddos are 17 so I guess they don’t really need to be “put to bed” – HA! :o) Thanks for sharing, Meg! Can’t wait to see more!

Bec - 1. Yes, there are minor and major heart attacks 😉
2. I love my time at the lake as well (we do it Wisconsin style) and it gets harder every year to come back to civilization.

www.Kellyloves.wordpress.com - now that’s heaven! We went to Siesta Key, just south of Sarasota, this last weekend. Best getaway ever!
http://www.kellyloves.wordpress.com

Michelle B. - Oh the joy of hearing another mom speak the truth about bedtime…”and little kids” – very liberating! Thanks!

Stephanie @ Geezees - thanks for the LOVE meg …. your photos are awesome – love the 223 steps ….

Jocelyn Stott - I am so jealous of this trip – it looks wonderful. I am living vicariously through you from my office desk.

pam - How wonderful…I always look for and find a heart shaped rock…hart is part of our last name and long ago I fell in love with heart rocks. Curious what the perfect way to cook a marshmallow is? :o)

Dana@Bungalow'56 - Megan,
My two youngest are bunked up in their oldest sister’s tiny room, while we paint there’s. I thought it would be a fiasco, but they love it. Was thinking about Lauren’s Old Navy 15th Birthday tshirt today. It is my Eldest’s 15th today. Time flies, and I’m so glad to be chronicling the memories.
Dana

Gemma @ Musings of a gem - Yummy S’mores! It sounds like a happy place : )
Gemma x

Nicole Q. - There is nothing better than vacation nights, just sitting around being together – especially when it ends with someone else doing the bedtime thing! Glad you had a great trip.

Kate @ Songs Kate Sang - S’mores! Makes me happy. Beautiful place, great job!

Alicia - Looks like a very relaxing, fun time!
I love the deal you worked with your hubbies…bedtime is my absolute least favorite part of the day too. Smart!!

Georgia - It looks like the ideal holiday location… ♥

Lisa - Looks like the perfect vacation! And I’m glad to know I’m not the only mom who doesn’t like bedtime! 🙂

DreamGirlLisa - What a beautiful place!! Sounds so fun, and I’m totally jealous and in awe that you got the beach to yourself…that would make it perfect!

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vay-cay

July 20, 2010

day two in chicago.
we spent the morning at our photo session.
i have never prepared my children's/husband's/my own personal outfits like i did for that.
we looked MArrrrrrvelous….if i am allowed to say that?

and i have nothing to show for it.
the pics take weeks to see
(which i understand more than many people…seeing that i am weeks behind in my photos also)
and i took none of us.

seriously.

so we will wait.
patiently.
and hope that i do not look pregnant (because i am NOT) in at least 70% of the pictures.
not that that would be wendy or tyler's fault….just mine.

we tried to go to the Sears Tower.

my family wanted to go to the glass skydeck…at the top of the building sticking out…waaaay up.
i did not.
but i would have let them.
we arrived and it was a 1.5 hour wait in a long line.
with 5 hungry grumpy hot kids craig and i said "no way"

this is as close as we got to the Sears Tower (now called the Willis Tower….????)
why do people have to change history like that?

for real.
as we were walking to our lunch destination we came upon streets shut down for the filming of
Transformers 3.
it was cool…not something you see everyday.

that is the set.
right on a real chicago street.
later we watched all the ACTUAL transformer cars race down the street….even Optimus Prime!

i have no clue what i am talking about….i was as clueless as the elderly people walking around
asking "what is going on here? why are all these people stopped? who is up there?"

BUT i did grow up with transformers so i recognized the name optimus prime.
it was cool to see it.
but i doubt i will see the movie.

oh SHiAAAA!!! (i can't say his name without thinking of this clip…)
we did not see him…much to lauren's disappointment.

LUNCH.

it's always portillos.
always.

i wrote out their orders like a waitress and took my sheet to the line to order.
seven different orders are just too much to remember anymore.
when i got back to the table scott took this pic of craig and me.
ha.

moving on through the busy chicago streets…

we made it to the lego store.
it was sean's birthday wish.
and i was determined to make it happen.

it took about an hour for sean to look over the whole store.
the other kids had left with craig.
he chose the space shuttle for ages 16+.
i had no doubt he could do it.
i told him if he chose that it would be his only birthday gift.
he was very okay with that.
the joy he had being able to pick it out…tell the saleswoman it was his birthday gift…priceless.
i got all teary eyed.
he was SO HAPPY.
which makes a mama happy too.

meanwhile down the hallway of the mall we were in…
the girls were shopping too.
each with their own money they had been saving.

annie and talby bought monkeys at the hello kitty store.
possibly the cutest stuffed animals ever.
and lauren bought a very cute dress at Lucky.
um….i loved that store.
never been in one.
i wanted this for me….bad. in navy…as a shirt not a dress because i am 34.

but i bought nothing.
not even a starbucks.

the other smiley son.
he had no money to spend…spent it ALL the day before the trip.
on PSP stuff for the drive.
pretty smart actually.
it's a loooong drive.

are you tired of seeing the camera over my face?
this was the last one.
i really like it.

talby was called out of the crowd for a business card with "The Tin Man".
and a photo op.
she was BEAMING. the card is a treasure. she even has his cell phone number.
if you ever want to book him for a party let me know….

lauren wanted to go in burberry.
so we waited.
i think she was surprised at how truly expensive it really was….but at least she got to see it.

and then….craig and i decided that we'd had enough chicago.
it's just not the same with 5 kids at our sides.
it was fun but michigan awaited.

goodbye chicago.

i looked over at craig about an hour into the drive and said "i can feel my stress lifting. i can breathe"
the city is so loud and busy that i get tense with my kids there….but i still love it.
i am just on high alert the whole time.

hello michigan.

chicago jen and her family arrived at the rental house shortly after we did.
we were spending an entire seven days together.
it was the longest trip we've taken together yet…..and it rocked.

we had time at the beach as the sun was setting.
michigan has the best sunsets!!

stress is gone.
ready to chill all week with my family and our best friends…..ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

we were near Saint Joseph, MI.
on lake michigan.
we love it here.

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April - St. Joe…..love it there!! Did you guys go to the fountains??? How about Kilwins?? I can’t believe you were right by where I live….I was waiting to see if you would say where in Michigan:) Looks like you guys had a blast!

Rebecca H. - we were just in Chicago this weekend also! LOVE your pictures… I’m now kicking myself for missed picture opportunities… but have some great ideas for ‘next time’ Hope you had a great time! Enjoy Michigan!

midwestmom - I would love to know where you stayed at too. Please?! My hubby wants to vacay to MI but we have never been to that area. Great pics and I love your blog.

Shannon - It’s so nice to hear people say such wonderful things about Michigan. Locals have been doing a lot of bashing these days, but I keep my eyes on the prize. I love lake Michigan. We camp at state parks along the lake. They are absoluely beautiful.

www.Kellyloves.wordpress.com - I’m like you … I’ve *heard* of optimis prime. ha! still cool.
http://www.kellyloves.wordpress.com

Jennifer - Love your jewelry-you guys look terrific and I can’t wait to see your pictures. Looks like a blast!

Karen Lehmann - I took my kids to Michigan so that my oldest could swim at the camp at the University of Michigan for a week. I want to move there. really. i would move there tomorrow.

Gemma - I want to go to Chicago now! It looks like a lot of fun for a mini break : )
Great pics as usual!
Gemma x

Kate @ Songs Kate Sang - Meg, that looks amazing! I’m so happy for you!

Toni :O) - OMG…not only do I LOVE St. Joseph area…Silver Beach ROCKS!!! I MUST show my son your blog in the morning because he will go NUTS with your photo of the beat up road for the filming of Transformers. We’re told they will be filming in the Detroit area and I would LOVE to be able to take my son to see that…he’d go CRAZY with excitement as Bumblebee the Camaro is his favorite car in the world! Great pics and it’s cool to see so many Michigan readers on here…woot woot!

*Alex* - I’m from Michigan and then lived in Chicago and these pics make me miss them both SO much!! Love these!

Mansi - Awesome pics..

Janelle Dobbins - im a blog stalker but just had to comment. i must have just missed you! i was in chicago last week for our pampered chef conferece. this year we were at the hyatt on wacker. they did a lot of ariel shooting for transformers while we were there. it was pretty neat!! the embassy in chicago is the best! who can beat that AWESOME FREE breakfast and free happy hour!!!

Tanya H - I HAD to show my son and husband your transformer movie shots. We saw Optimus Prime and Ratchet (I barely know what I’m talking about either!) a few weeks ago- they stopped for the night in a hotel in our teeny little town on the way east. My kids were out of their heads excited. 😀

Rachel / cREaTe - you are so cute. love your hair, shirt & necklace! such cute pics & i am dying to go to ANYWHERE on lake michigan. [we were super close to going to mackinac island this weekend!] LOVE that you got to spend 7 days with your best family friends. 🙂 awesome.

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - That’s exactly how I feel when I leave the city too… a weight lifting! Cool to see the movie set. I’m kind of impressed by things like that.
Loved your hair in all those pics. It is super cute.
Oh and I bought my girls those exact monkey’s when we went to Miami recently. I thought they were the cutest things ever…my husband fought me on it. I won:)

Shann - While in Michigan, you were really close to where I live! 🙂 We love the beach up here. Just like the ocean but without seashells. Darn it. 🙂 Your trip sounds like so much fun with your friends. I know what you mean about a trip to Chicago with kids. Very stressful. So much could happen to them and when you are from a small town like I am, they are just not exposed to all that wackiness. 🙂

Genn - Hi Meg! My name is Genn and I’ve been reading your blog for a while now. Sorry I don’t usually comment! I am a little intimidated sometimes I guess to comment on “big blogs” like yours. You seem to get so many comments, sometimes I wonder how do you possible have time to read them all?
Anyway, here I am commenting, and saying hello!! Your pictures are always so fantastic. I am so inspired by them. Your family seems like so much fun, and I kinda feel like I know you (I know that sounds stalker’ish right?) since I’ve been reading your blog for so long and never said hello.
Feel free to stop by my blog sometime so you know who I am. Maybe then I will seem less stalkerish. 🙂
My favorite picture in this post was the first one at the end of the afternoon in Michigan. Beautiful!!
Happy blogging! ~Genn

Melissa V. - Would love to know if that was a cute camera bag that was hanging from you…or what you use for a camera bag during a trip?

Shirley W - Great photos. Our son and family live right downtown and our daughter lived there for 5 years. We have visited many of the same sights. One of our first trips there, I, too, thought I would buy something at Burberry….not! We love to visit but certainly appreciate our small town when we get home.

shelley - we live close to st joe and head up there all the time. your pictures are fabulous as usual!

Beth W. from Dirty Laundry - I always feel so guilty when I don’t wait in lines for everything with my children who are just dying to ride that ride or go to an opening night movie…so glad to hear you didn’t wait in line for Sears (Willis??) Tower—makes me feel a little better. I just loved the hello Michigan photo. Absolutely gorgeous.

heather - love all your adventures! i know what you’re saying about kids in the city versus being there alone…we still love to do it but it is clearly very different!
and on the clothes front…i love the lucky dress/shirt! very cute! and the tank/leggings set your daughter is wearing cracked me up because my one year old has the same outfit. very different look on a big kid (but still very cute)!!

Laura Phelps - oh Meg…I just love going on vacation with you…
your pictures pull me right in as f I am there
my girls would have bought those monkeys
you look beautiful
colorful
alive!
thanks for sharing
xo

CK - So glad that you got to see some MI sunsets. They are the best! We recently went to the east coast. Our kiddos have been spoiled by the freshwater of Lake Michigan that is so big it looks like an ocean! They didn’t care much for salt water… St. Joseph is a wonderful town. We live not far away. Love the pics. Thanks for sharing!

Jeannette - Ohhh Chicago, my kids and I just came back from our first trip there!!!! We LOVED it there and how crazy we stayed in the same exact hotel……we were there the first weekend they started filming Transformers 3 and the picture policy didn’t allow us to take any pics. I looked through all of yours from the city and it was like I was right there again!!!! Thanks for sharing :o)

angela - I love how PROUD he looks over getting to pick out the Legos!!! (Love following along on your trip too!)

Wendy - I grew up on Lake Michigan. In a little town called New Buffalo. It’s quite built up and touristy now. Enjoy your time.

jamie - we live in michigan, the ann arbor area. i just dragged my hubs and two of my kids to lake michigan a week ago for a day trip to st. joseph! where was the rental home? would LOVE to check it out for a possible stay! michigan is lovely, isn’t it?

Sarah - Funny. My husband and I just got back from a weekend there just for us. We were at that same Lego store and Hello Kitty store getting toys for the kids. And, our hotel was right on the street where they were still filming Transformers. Great city!

Lisa - Im loving looking at all the photos. There is something about seeing a place on the other side of the world through the eyes of someone else. Perhaps one day we will travel and see some of these sights too.
I was surprised when you said that water was a lake. It is so expansive i thought it must have been the ocean. Now im gonna have to look at a map and see where Michigan is. LOL

Flower Patch Farmgirl - Silver Beach!!! We are close to St. Joe and we love that whole area. Can I just say that if I had happened upon all of you that I quite possibly would have accosted you in some fashion? It would have been a friendly accosting, but an accosting, nonetheless. Oh, I also would have fainted dead away.

Kimberlee J. - Chicago might have been stressful, but you look fabulous. Pregnant? I think not.
That Lauren has great taste—Burberry. IN MY DREAMS. Sigh.

DreamGirlLisa - OH Megan, what wonderful trip…love seeing it through your eyes/lens…your hair looks so darling, I really love it, all the pics of you are coming out great…can’t wait to see more!
You have really made me want to go to Chicago…someday hopefully!

Staci - Ahhhh 😉 Beeyouteeful!! Never been to Meeechigan…gonna put that on my list 🙂 Glad you had such an awesome time!

Keisha - I live about 30 minutes from St. Joe and love going to Silver Beach. You are right Michigan does have the best sunsets and beaches. Sometime you should visit South Haven they also have beautiful beaches. Love reading your blog:) Thanks for sharing your photos.

Tonya - Not sure if you and your family are popcorn fans, but Garrett’s Popcorn shop on Michigan Ave is WONDERFUL!!!! They always have a long line, but it goes fast and is totally worth it. I used to live in that area and GP, Portillo’s (which I see you found already), Giordano’s and the Hancock tower are just a few of the attractions I suggest to friends. Thanks for sharing.
http://www.garrettpopcorn.com/

elma - Oh Meg I just took six of my kids to Chicago by myself for two days. I was soooo stressed that I would lose a little one. The place is sooo busy and crazy but my kids loved it. We to went to Lego land and I posted pictures on face book of Lego Woody to:) Glad you have a great time.
Loved the pictures of the lake. We went there last week and are going with my girlfriend and her kids tomorrow. They are from Canada so they are super excited. 🙂

Lori - I agree. I love Chicago to visit once in a while but it’s almost overload with all the hustle and bustle. Beautiful sunset picture!

linda lou - this will be my only trip to chicago & michgan i’am enjoying it. the photos are awesome(:
blessings, and safe trip home

Shari - So I see that you are using your camera without a strap? I find that my strap gets in my way more than it helps…

Jocelyn Stott - Great pics. I love the lego Woody. Looks like it is a great trip!!!

lala - Meg, Would you share where you rented or some recommendations? St. Joseph is not too far from here and we need a mini-vacay before summer is over. Thanks! Lindsay

Talysa - So glad to hear that I’m not the only “high alert” mom. I like that name…sounds much better than neurotic. 😉

Stacy - Love the pictures. Looks like you are having some wonderful family time. I don’t know if you have any Ross stores where you live. But I saw a shirt there that looks almost exactly like the dress you wanted a Lucky but it was only 14.99. Just wanted to share.

shelly - Ah, Legos! My sister had our boys this weekend and took them to Legoland in Schaumburg…they are still talking about it!!!

Julie - What a nice vacation! Enjoyed seeing your pictures and reading about your trip. My boys would love to go to the Lego store for their b-day ~ totally cool boy b-day!!!

Aimee - My family is from Michigan. Not me, but my mom and nana. I lived there for a couple of years in my early twenties. We would drive from NY to MI just about every summer when I was a kid. I LOVED it! Its such a relaxing place and I love that the sun sets so late there (so close to the edge of the time zone).

Jennifer - We’ve never been to this part of the country…your pics make me want to head that way! Oh, and btw,I soooo love your hair!!

BriBedell - Okay now I am really upset..woman, I live so close to St. Jo. (creepy stalker alert) Bummer 🙁 Hope you guys had a good time!! Please tell me you made it to Silver Beach Pizza at least once!!

elisa - Lucky Girl- love Lake Michigan.
Pushing for a trip there too!

Penny - St. Joe is a lovely place. I love Lake Michigan!! We are on the other side of the state. My daughter goes to college in Grand Rapids. It is so nice there. I love all of the pictures. How wonderful to spend a week with friends. I feel the same about cities. They are great to visit, just way too busy for me!! Thanks for sharing your trip!

Ashley Stinson @ The Hillside Home - great pictures!!!! thanks for sharing!

Lisa - I hear what you’re saying about Chi-town being stressful with the kiddos – not the same when you’re there alone as a couple! Glad you had a good time on vacation – Michigan looks fantasic!

Georgia - Ohhhh i really want to goto America again.
I have visited Florida twice as a kid, but i need a city adventure and it looks like just the place!

Sophie - Such gorgeous pictures,you’ve got me wanting to visit Chicago now! And I totally agree on the Sears Tower thing 😐

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chicago

July 19, 2010

i know i said we went to michigan…but first we went to chicago for a day.
it's right on the way.
and that's where our family pictures were.
with wendy + tyler….of b lue lily photography.

{{{{sigh}}}}…..it was lovely.

i immediately decided i wanted craig to quit his job and be a full time photography partner with me.
just like them.
a team working together in perfect harmony…just like them.
craig said no.
he likes math/numbers/money & not artsy backgrounds or kids who won't smile (like one of mine did).
i can dream though.
wendy and tyler were A-W-E-S-O-M-E.

but back to the trip.
we loaded up 7 suitcases….two huge-mongous beach bags…every swimsuit in the house….
every portable electronic device we own…the case of 100 dvds…a bag of snacks…and we hit the road.

5 hours in we hit our first glich.
puke.
annie threw up ON the bag we passed her.
not in.
so we had to find clean clothes….on the side of the road.

i lost my temper with the big kids who were totally in the way while craig cleaned up the back seat.
he is such a good daddy.
"the last true family man" :)

thank you bluffs.
we'll always remember you.
ha.

hello chicago.

we stayed in a hotel downtown…kids thought it was amazing.
(embassy suites on columbus street)

we had to have a "discussion" right there on the side of the street about how to behave in the city.
the four youngest were so excited they were all over the place.
climbing and jumping and pressing buttons.
it is quite different taking kids to chicago instead of your girlfriends.

i can tell you which one i liked better…..

we met up with old friends at millennium park.

everyone loves the bean.

then we walked over to play in the fountain.
remember last time i was here and the lady in the tube socks and teeny skirt bent over in front of me
flashing me her granny panties?
i do.
chicago is always great for people watching.

would you believe that there were TWO people wearing that pink outfit in the background?
two people at the fountain at the same time in a hot pink romper?!

annie had a stalker.
a little boy was following her non-stop.
it was making her crazy.
she finally turned and whacked him on the head and yelled "STOP FOLLOWING ME!!!"
didn't work.
he was so strange.
i had to move in and give him my mama evil eye and pointed finger.
it worked.
but i got wet because of it….ugh.

lady number two….

craig and scott walked over to giordianos to carry out pizza for dinner.
it was a gorgeous evening with a breeze and perfect temperature.
there was a concert going on directly behind us in the pavilion.
chicago at it's finest.
we loved it.

my kids were a little more goofy than i wish they were.
but in their defense….they had driven all day in the car to get there.

8 kids together again.
the hang's and the duerksen's living it up in the city.

peter was a daily part of our lives for so many years.
before he was married and a daddy himself….he was hanging out with us all the time.
we loved it.
the kids loved him around to play loud music and be crazy with them.
we loved having someone around who loved movies as much as we did….among many other reasons.
those were the good ol' days peter!

peter's wife erica was there also (in the background) but she is a photographer too…
so she is behind the camera like me.
the moms always get cut out.

we said our goodbyes and walked back to our hotel.
annie's legs were tired.
we swam in the hotel pool…it was the funniest pool i have ever seen.
5 feet wide by 20 feet.
with about 30 kids in it.
i didn't last long….my head was about explode.
i took the four youngest to bed and craig took lauren to navy pier for some big kid time.
i was asleep within 10 minutes.
needed my beauty sleep for our family pics in the morning.

so….that was chicago day one.
typepad is still being weird.

i had to log out between every picture uploading?!!!
let's hope tomorrow it will be working again.

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Jeannette - We almost crossed paths while in Chicago(we were there the 7th through the 12th), we stayed at that same hotel and I have to agree with ya it was the funniest pool and wasn’t it hot in there. We got to see some of the Transformers 3 filming as well but the picture police kept yelling “No pictures” I did manage to get a few not so good ones with my phone. This was my first time in Chicago and we LOVED it!!! Hopefully we will make it back soon. Love the pics, thanks for sharing

Lifesexperiences-dawn.blogspot.com - I just wanted to say how much I love your blog. Your blog has inspired me to start my own and take more interesting pictures, so thanks. Also great pictures from Chicago.

Kathy T - Oh, my. I miss my Chicago. New Jersey just isn’t the same. Thanks for the lovely pics. Hope you had a great time.

www.Kellyloves.wordpress.com - I’ve never been to Chicago. Looks amazing!
http://www.kellyloves.wordpress.com

Michele - I’m new to your blog. This is such a fun post. Our fam just got back from Chicago. We saw a Cubs game at Wrigley. My little boys are 1 and 3 1/2 and they loved “the bean”. Thanks for sharing these photos. I liked seeing Chicago from someone else’s perspective. You have such a cute family!

Kristi - we have pictures booked with bluelily in August! I am so excited. and having a very hard time figuring out what we should all wear!

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - Not sure why but I haven’t been able to comment…it’s been killing me. I’ve been back here 5 times now! Anyway…we’ve never been to the Bean. I don’t know how that’s possible since I’ve been to Chicago many times. Look like a great place to snap some awesome pics.
I just had to comment on your mothering here. After driving all day I know you had to be tired…really really tired. Especially with your little one throwing up. I’ve experienced this many a time. Anyway to let them get in their suites and dance in that fountain. WAY COOL. You deserve an award or something!

Beth - The pink rompers are just too much. I’ve seen more of them this summer than I ever wanted to see. Usually on body types that shouldn’t even being thinking about it! Thanks for the laugh!

katie - i read your blog all the time but i don’t think i’ve ever commented. just wanted to say that my favorite thing about that post was the picture of everyone jumping off the bench because lauren was jumping too. 🙂 i was so proud of her for not being “too cool” to do it.

Lisa - I LOVE CHICAGO! My hubby and I were there 3 weeks ago for our 10th anniversary and we stayed at the Embassy Suites too. Loved it! Looks like you had a great time!

Mindy Harris - Lauren’s dress is so pretty! Looks like you had fun…you are all so brown. 🙂 It’ll be fun to see your fam pics.

Julie - I’m married to a family guy too ~ they are the greatest! And one reason I had five kids with him. Most guys I wouldn’t have had one with! Chicago looks amazing!!

amy d - i bet a certain doodle was very happy to see you when you got home…chicago pics are awesome!

Heather @ Cookie Mondays - GASP! Blue Lily?!!! So jealous.
And- I think I’ve told you this before… but Kevin wanted me to REinform you (remember, he reads my blogroll) that he had a hand in the building of the Bean. Aren’t you proud?

Dana@Bungalow'56 - Megan,
This was my first introduction to Blue Lily. How exciting that they were coming to a Canadian city that both my sisters live in. Unfortunately all the slots were booked. Hopefully they will come again. After seeing some of their shots I can’t wait to see your family photo.
Dana

Carrie K - cool water shots and its great to see Lauren in lots of pictures 🙂
ugh..rompers…who decided it was a good idea to make them in ADULT sizes (not to mention…big girl sizes..lol…and i can say that…im a big girl)
cant wait for the rest…esp the family pictures 🙂

Tracy - Great pictures, Meg! We love Chicago – my husband is originally from there and a lot of his family still live there. We are HUGE Chicago Cubs fans! ;o) I had to LOL about Annie bopping some boy on the head to leave her alone and about the 2 different women in the same pink romper at the same place, and same time- ha! Can’t wait to see the family pictures! xoxoxx

citymouse - I love Chicago. It is, hands down, my favorite US city. Lucky duck!

Holly - it looks like fun! We have been talking about a trip to Chicago. We havent been before. I wonder how our four would do?…hmmmmmm…..

heidi @ wonder woman wannabe - I HEART Chicago!! Looks like ya’ll had a blast!

susie whyte - blue lily?! completely jealous. love them.
did i see lauren with a camera around her neck?? 🙂

erin j - We stayed at that same Embassy Suites on our visit to check out Chicago before our move. We faced the river instead of the lake though. That pool is awesomely tiny and oh so echo-y. Yay for Giordano’s and the Bean. Looks like fun!

Krista - Craig gets “Dad of the Year” for cleaning up the puke in the car, you are lucky! In my house, I would be the one cleaning up the puke while my husband dry heaves at the slightest smell of it. But anyway, I loved the pictures of your day in Chicago. I don’t mean to ask a bizarre question, but what is the Bean made of? I am wondering how it stays so clean when it seems like everyone is touching it. Odd question, but it crossed my mind….

candace - Looks like a lovely trip so far….can’t wait to see the rest!

Michelle - Meg, that is some dedication to us because whoa, that’s a lot of logging in and out. Loved the re-cap and can’t wait for more!

Leigh - Never a dull moment at Millennium Park. It makes me miss living there!

Kimberlee J. - Is a pink romper on your next shopping list? No? I thought you said you liked pink!

Secret Mom Thoughts - we are going to Chicago this summer. Loved seeing your pics.

sarah - Looks like you guys had a great holiday. I love the piggy back cuddles.

Kelly - I love Chicago! I’ve never been in the summer though. Ahhh Giordanno’s. My fave. Rompers are not for grown-ups! My upstairs neighbor may have been one of those hot pink romper people. She was wearing on the other day. Lauren on the other hand looks beautiful! Great dress! Glad you had a great time! Kelly

Jaime A. - For the most part, it sounds (and looks) like fun!!
I was born in Chicago, but my parents moved to Arizona when I was 18mos old. I’ve never been back, so it’s always fun to see it through other people’s eyes. Can’t wait until the husband and I go sometime.
Can’t wait to see the family pictures! That site was amazing!

sandy toe - I love the water coming out of the mouth-
so fun!
sandy toe

Musings Of A Gem - Cute pictures!! That bean thing looks like so much fun : )
Gemma X

Sara @ It's Good to be Queen - sadly the bright pink romper was the first thing i noticed in each of those photos. it was like a blinding light that i couldn’t ignore.

Trish @TheOldPostRoad - What great memories for the kids! My kids love hotels – even the cheap ones.
-Trish

sarah - Looks amazing.
i want to go and see chicago and the bean.
poor annie. I was always the puker when I was little.
Lauren is so cute, I love that dress she’s wearing.
Can’t wait to see the family session:)

Talysa - Ahhh…nothin like puke in the car on a road trip. Your oldest seems to have been bitten by the photog bug too I see? 🙂
Cant wait to see the family pics!

pam - That is one of our favorite BIG cities…and Giordianos pizza is amazing. We have had it shipped to us over night….best 16th birthday party ever.

Nicole Q. - I can’t wait to see your family pics!!
Chicago looked like so much fun (you just can’t escape those normal kid/family moments no matter where you go)!!
We’ve never done Chicago with our kids – just a hundred youth group kids!!

Stephanie - Embassy Suites Rock!! Hot made to order breakfast, free happy hour, beautiful lobby!! I always look for their hotels first when planning a trip!!

tara pollard pakosta - I love chicago!
we live 33 miles sw of there, but never
get down there! traffic stinks!!!
but it would be worth it no?!
love all the pix!!!
so where in Michigan did you go?! Upper MI or the lower?
and I didn’t know that blue lily was in chicago, or I forgot!!!
tara

Ali - What hotel did you stay at?

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chicago

May 3, 2010

my friend turned 40.
that meant it was time for a road trip.
girls weekend.
beautiful hotel…shopping….laughing….talking for four days straight.
wine and martinis…desserts and coffee…amazing food.
the flea market…ikea…michigan ave.
and more coffee and more wine and more laughing.
make-overs…friend photo sessions…late night movie cuddled up in our cozy beds.

this was the view from our room…on michigan avenue.
that white round building is crate and barrel.
four stories of it.
my favorite.

my favorite "room" at crate and barrel.

i love that picture pam. :)

the flowers were gorgeous!!
and they were every where we looked.

our hotel was the middle building…we were just at the part where it angles in.

people 50 most beautiful was out and we were on the hunt for it the whole drive
but it was found at a news stand.
(we don't have news stands in kansas….exciting stuff for country girls)

pam and i got makeovers…and i bought "grown up" skin care since i am a grown up.
pam looked fabulous!
it's amazing how good we girls feel with new lipstick…isn't it?!

M Burger…across from our hotel.
very yummy.
super nice staff.
mmmmmm.

these are two from MY photo session…in our room by the window.

it was fun.
we were each laughing so hard…it's HARD to get your picture taken.
i don't like it.
i have a new sympathy for all of you when i stick the camera in your face.

girl time.
it is neccessary for me to recharge…relax…feel renewed.
i come home and i feel like a new woman.
ready to be a good mom.
ready to be a good wife.
my cup is full.

we didn't even listen to music but maybe 30 minutes on our 20+ hours in the car.
just talking.
about dreams, hopes, concerns, fears and everything in between.
there was not one possible topic we did not discuss at great length.

oh…and we went running on lake shore drive!
so cool.

happy 4oth jana.

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La Tempete - Looks like you had a great time! Gotta love Girls’ Weekends (they need capital letters, those words IMO) ;p

susie whyte - how fun! love the walgreens shot. that is so cute!

Jen - What a fun trip! Meg, you are beautiful, inside and out! 🙂

Kristi - You are BEAUTIFUL! And I love your hair!! I sooooo need a change! I’m a hot roller, big hair girl. I need to break away! Thanks for posting about your fun weekend, it looked divine! 🙂
Kristi

Lucy - I was scrolling down the photos, and when I saw that first portrait of you I thought “wow… that woman is so beautiful.”
So jealous of that trip, too 🙂 Someday, someday. When we’re not all drowned in work. Ah, that would be lovely.

Rach - I love your outings. So fun! And ha ha ha… I just bought grown up moisturizer for the first time too and I am 37… eek.
Glad you ladies had so much fun.

Queen Bee - I am so envious. I envision girl’s trips like that in my future. They make life happier.
But I have to disagree on the Barefoot Moscato. I dislike Barefoot but love Moscato. Barefoot is too sweet… but then again, I was having it with a meal. As a stand alone, I’d probably like it and should try it again.
The second picture of you is beautiful. I adore it.

Meg - meg, what hotel did you stay at? i’m planning a long weekend get away in chicago with the hubs and that room looks gorgeous!

kristine - so fun. i miss chicago! and i love that you said your cup is full! how great for you and how inspiring to both make it happen AND recognize when it does! xo

Marie - Waouhhhhhhh , comment ne pas rêver des Etats unis avec un tel reportage photos!!!

Kellie Dugan - That is the hairstyle for you! Now, can you find mine? I need something that makes me look 10 yrs younger? Or is it the combonation of the hair and the running? Would walking on a treadmill work?:) I am so proud of you! You inspire me. I am glad you and your girls had a great trip. I so need one!!!!!! I can’t wait to get my “4” shirt. My baby is turning 4????? Where did the time go?

Molly - Oh this looks like so much fun. I can’t wait till I can escape for a weekend with friends like this! Its def necessary!
Molly
http://www.mypeaceoflove.com

Beka - How wonderful!
I am SO going to do that 21 years from now with my best friend. That would be awesome:)

melissa - Chicago is SO MUCH FUN!!!
I love Chicago!
I love American Girl–even though my first daughter is only 1 year old!
I love Tiramasu!
I love Tulips!
I love wine!
I loved this post!!!!
Melissa

Micah - I never thought turning 40 could be so fun!!! This looks like a blast! I turn 30 this year. I wonder if I could talk my girls into going with me 😀

Tracy - We just got back from a weekend away with our new “teenagers”… We took our daughters to this amazing resort in Washington state (Alderbrook Resort). We will be blogging about it later this week on http://www.liveitupalittle.blogspot.com (and my own personal blog http://www.lifeisjustplainfun.blogspot.com). After reading your story I am inspired to grab the older girls (us… 40’s) and get away… especially to a hotel with beds with crisp white linens and soft white towels and robes…. and a good burger joint next door! We should have just joined you guys!!! 🙂 Thanks for reminding me to make myself a priority once in awhile. Tracy (www.tfisherart.com)

tami reed - Im all for girl get a ways! Have one coming up next week!

Jana - It was the best.

Jennifer - Looks like you had perfect weather! What fun! And the pictures of you were gorgeous. 🙂

Karen Gerstenberger - You look beautiful, happy and relaxed! What a great birthday (and Mother’s Day) gift!

Nina Diane - just sounds like so much fun. And Meg, you just look beautiful. I think I commented before on your new haircut but again, it looks fabulous!!

Julie - Looks like a lot of fun! The pics of you are great! You look recharged and beautiful!

virginia - meg you look so pretty!

Kate @ Songs Kate Sang - Oh wow! I LOVE Chicago – where my BFF lived until just recently. Great city!
Your photos are amazing, beautiful!!!

Sharla - Looks like fun! And those tulips are amazing. . . .

jennifer - GOOD FOR YOU! You all look so cute – love, LOVE your hair!

Nicole Q. - I am so jealous . . . I’m in need of that exact trip!!! So glad you had a smashing good time!!!!!!

Kelly - ooh … what a great girl trip!
http://www.kellyloves.wordpress.coom

Meaghan - Great photos! You made me miss Chicago so much (used to live near there and go all the time). I love how they have flowers right in the middle of the big city! Glad you had a great time with your friends, they are so important.

Just Barb - Looks like so much fun. We were in Chicago two weeks ago, and I was so impressed with the flowers. You’re right: they were everywhere.

Elisa - you are beautiful

sharron - Your new hair looks so chic and you just look so fresh!!!
Love it!!!
The weekend also looked fabulous!!!
Yall will LOVE Origins..it is the best and smells so good too!!!
Thanks for sharing the sights and food..tee hee of Chicago!!

kristin - oh, i’m happy for you guys. i don’t know what i would do without my yearly girl weekend full of all this goodness.
i recognize chicago and it looks so cozy.

ann - Wow looks like so much fun! I’ve never done anything like that. You are lucky to have such fun friends! Your pictures are awesome. Makes me feel like I came along! Your new “do” is so adorable. Thanks for sharing.

Gemma - Looks like you had an AMAZING time! A girly weekend sounds wonderful…the pictures of you are beautiful btw : )
Gemma http://musings-of-a-gem.blogspot.com/
X

Christina - What a great time! I just had a similar trip…and now the reality is sinking back in. I have a hard time adjusting back to regular life!
And you should NOT hate to have your picture taken…you are so beautiful!
I just started using grown up skin care products, too. haha I don’t know how I feel about it. I’m kind of upset that it’s working…that means I needed it. 🙂

AshleyAnn - Someday my feet will walk the streets of Chicago…looks like a perfect weekend. Great shot of you…

Jonelle - Megan, you are (still) so beautiful!!

peta - my word you packed some things in to that trip!! what a great time. girls weekends seem a distant memory – i should organise one!
origins skincare is delightful, and i love your photo session photos!

Melissa Gruber - what a fun trip and great pictures…it makes me miss chicago and my dear friend who lives there…hoping to make a visit this fall.

Carol S. - FABULOUS PHOTOS! I fondly recall MY (hometown) Chicago girls weekend 7 (gasp) years ago! We laughed so hard. It was in the fall and we all bought boots after we saw everyone downtown in stylish leather boots. Still have ’em. Deep sigh…you’re a happy looking bunch and so blessed to be able to getaway together. Enjoy!

Sara - Looks like a perfect girly weekend! I had one with my mom and sis a couple of weekends ago. So refreshing.
Chicago has the best flowers and landscaping, in my humble opinion. But I live here, so I’m partial! I love driving into work when the tulips are in bloom. Never get tired of it.
Next time you are in town, check out Block 37 (State and Randolph..across from Fields…err..Macys). Tons of great stuff (Anthro, L’Occitane, Zara, etc.) and very little traffic (yet). It’s like a little treasure.

Melanie - Sounds like you had a great trip. Beautiful pictures too.

Tasha - I was just in the city a week ago! Took some of the same pics as you…tulips and by the river…glad to see you enjoyed it!

Christy Henderson - Looks like a great trip! Love the pizza & moscato shot! Good times! And a great photo of you!

Jaimie - looks sooo fun! i LOVE chicago!

Kristi - that looks like so much fun!
and those pictures of you are great!
lucky you!

Jill J - This looks like SO MUCH FUN! I totally want to do this with my girlfriends.
And you look gorgeous!

DreamGirlLisa - That picture of you is so cute! What a fun weekend, I am so jealous, I need a weekend like that in a big way…right now I’d be happy for even an evening out w/ my two besties. I forgot to let you know I linked to your blog…it’s very positive, hope it’s ok 🙂

smileymom - Awww… this post made me cry! (In a good way… kind of….) You are so lucky to have such great girlfriends and to do things like that with them. I know you know that. I’ve always wanted girlfriends to do that kind of stuff with. And I LOVE your hair! And your pictures are fabulous. What a great time.

Laura Phelps - I knew it.
Should have had YOU plan my 40th.

Carla - Great pictures of you. LOVE your hair! Looks like a fun time with your friends. Good idea for my 40th (coming soon).

Ashley Chandler - What fun! I love Origins Cheeks and Balances; I bet you will too. And your eyes are amazing. I can see a bit of you in each of your children (some more than others).

Kimberlee J. - Loved every picture. I almost feel like I got to go along. Can’t wait to hear more stories from your time away.
Funny… I just read “other Jost’s” and realized who T was talking about. 🙂
LOVE the pics of you, too. So glad you did that b.c. I was getting ready to tell you that I was coming to your house to do a photo shoot of you!

Messy@Bungalow'56 - This made me want a girl’s weekend in the worst way. Two years ago i went to Vegas for shopping and more shopping, but your weekend looked a bit less glitzy and more relaxing.
thanks for sharing,
Dana
Can’t wait to see what you’re doing with the house.

Rebekah - LOVE YOUR HAIR!!!!

Cassie - so fun!!! you girls r beautiful! 🙂

Naomi - That looks like the perfect break.
I was in Chicago in January of last year (which might not seem like much but I’m from Ireland!) so all my photos from my time are snow-filled and we’re all wrapped up in many layers!
Glad to got to recharge 🙂

Taryn - Ok, as i look at pics of you, Meg, (which i don’t get to see very often)i swear you have hardly aged since high school….beautiful! Side note…..i’m not much of a wine drinker, wish i was, just have never really loved the taste….until one evening at Olive Garden when we tried a Moscato…..i’m a true lover! This summer with the other Josts, let’s add that to the fun!:)

Emily@remodelingthislife - You look beautiful. I know it’s been a bit since you got the haircut, but I tend to get feeling like when someone gets so many comments they all blend in so why bother. But I guess I am bothering today. To tell you you look really lovely and looks like you had a great time.

Christy - What an awesome time! Looks & sounds like everyone enjoyed themselves.
Love the pics & the new do. Super cute.

Trish O - I was in Chicago on a Girls Weekend last weekend too. how funny.

Staci - I’m so jealous 🙂 I need a Girl’s Weekend very sooon!!! My hubby has been gone since last Thursday…gets home tonight…and I will be a super happy girl 🙂 It’s always so good to get away and JUST TALK GIRL TALK!!!!! Especially when the getaway is in Chicago 🙂 I’m glad you are rejuvenated! That pic of you is just beautiful 😉

Sarah@Clover Lane - You look SO good in those pictures!
I love all the pics…especially the food ones…those of course are my favorites.

Erin from Skoots and Cuddles - glad you had a wonderful trip. although i live just outside chicago and it always feels like a vacation when i make that 1/2 drive!

katy - Looks like fun and I want to let you know that I love your new haircut! I know you called it a mom-cut, but I think it makes you look younger! 🙂

shelly - Looks like a blast—love the new do!!! I think we stayed at the same hotel last fall when we had a girl’s weekend! Love the flowers–crate and barrel is awesome (did you go into CB2?)

Julie - oh my word, i love this!!! and…tiramisu??? my favorite. what a great weekend.

Dana Banana - Looks like so much fun! The pics of you are adorable.

jeanne - Sounds like an amazing weekend!!!

sarah - Looks like so much fun!!
And those two pictures of you are beautiful.
You are definitely rockin that HOT mama hair! 🙂

Cheryl @ a pretty cool life. - Best city in the world! 🙂
Which flea market did you go to??

Nancy M - Moscato is my favorite wine, so sweet and yummy ♥

Courtney Walsh - awww, so fun!! 🙂 Love it! Every time I read about one of your girls’ weekends I get so jealous and intend to plan one for myself…but I never do! Maybe this time I will follow through! 🙂
Great pics!!

Bec - I haven’t been able to go to Chicago for years now that I live a little farther away- I miss it! My mom and I used to go in once a year for make overs just so we’d have an excuse to buy new make up!

Amanda - no way is Jana 40!!! Hmmm, so 2011 is the year for turning 30 (for some of us) – maybe we should take a Chicago trip! Looks like TONS of fun!

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - You and your sassy new cut…lookin’ spiffy:) Love all the pics. The one of all of you on the surveilance video cracked me up!

alyssa - what a fun thing to do. I love Chicago.

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california 9…the final chapter.

June 20, 2009

i promise this is the last california set.

you guys are troopers.

you have made it through…you deserve a starbucks.

after the hike through the trees and climbing through the goonies cave…

we went to a waterfall.

lauren said "i'm tired i am staying in the car."

we said "fine."

got out of the car not expecting too much.

then about 15 steps later….

we see this.

and this is only the bottom half of it.

i went back to get lauren.

it was a sight that had to be seen.

more climbing…

we call her "california grace"

hey look! we are all in the same frame!

very cool.

after the falls we drove back to reedley.

tonya's parents watched all the kids for us to go out for dinner without kids.

how awesome is that?! a date on vacation?!

we left the next morning to head back to LA.

the kids were sad to say goodbye.

we were sad too.

we went to hollywood.

not nearly as cool as they make it look in the movies….

julio iglesias is as interesting as anyone else.

we went to the beach again for the rest of the day.

then dinner…

our first time at in-n-out burger.

talby had her first hamburger…she was finally brave enough…she liked it.

annie wouldn't do it or lauren either.

they are missing out…but they will have to figure that out on their own.

then starbucks…

and swimming at the hotel…one room again. :)

we were up at 5 AM for our flight home.

more UNO.

it was a great trip.

a tiring trip.

it was a trip we will never forget.

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Sarah - Love all the California pics and stories.

pam - these just made me smile today. i’m so glad to see YOU in some of these…i love the pony tails. you look adorable, yasmine. 😉
if you made it to in-N-out the whole trip was worth it. 🙂

Keri - You saw Hollywood, the Redwoods, the coast, etc. etc….but so glad you didn’t miss the true California landmark of In-n-Out!! It doesn’t disappoint! 🙂

Sarah - I have loved all of your California posts, almost feels like I was there. Thank you for taking us “with” you. I didn’t have many family vacations growing up and it’s fun seeing all the memories you are making with your children. I’ve always wanted a BIG family and your family makes me want it even more. I think it’s the only child in me 🙂

princesslasertron - I love how lauren is totally voguing in that picture.

Ashley Ann - That is a really great family photo of your whole clan…I imagine Lauren gets a bit annoyed at times when people confuse you for her sister!

Kat - I have LOVED everyone of your California posts! (actually I love all your posts in generally, but anyway…) I miss CA so much and the places you went, Reedley, In & Out, Sequoia, the beach!, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and L.A., they are HOME to me. Thank you for giving me the little trips down memory lane, while enjoying getting to enjoy your family’s photos & memories. 🙂

melissa mae - Has anyone ever told you you look like Yasmine Bleeth?

se7en - I am so sorry that your fabulous fabulous California holiday is over. A couple of years ago we were traveling in the UK and friends booked us into a self-catering park called California Park… They thought we would much prefer (five kids at the time) a self-catering than a hotel room… Well we nearly died it never got more than 4 degrees Celsius (40 degrees Fahrenheit) in the middle of summer… The prefab shack we were in was so freezing and damp, when you walked across the carpets the water squelched into your socks – euch! We had to get up every two hours and feed the heater 50p coins ( worse than an infant) just to survive!!! For us Capetonians from sunny South Africa it was a rude awakening to dying of exposure!!! Frankly your California looks nothing but divine and a place we would love to visit. California Park, UK , we will gladly miss!!! Thanks for sharing your holiday with us it was just lovely.

adrienne - waterfall is amazing!

Lori - Meg, what a great vacation and you captured it with awesome pictures (eye candy, yes!). I am partial to the “where’s the teenager” pics because I have two of my own so I chuckle. Voted for the eye candy nom. Your pictures of your home are thoroughly drooled over!

wendy - LOVE In-N-Out! We’re trying to hit as many as we can while we’re here in California this week. I had one protein style and it was still delicious. 🙂 Fab photos as always Megan.

erica - oh my word that waterfall is beautiful! and hollywood IS not as glamorous as everyone thinks- it’s dirty and crowded! haha and your in & out pics made me want some- yummy! do your kids not eat burgers???

Heather - Thanks for sharing your vacation with us!

Nina - I have loved your pictures! Looks like a great vacation

Sandy - I’m so glad Lauren got out to experience the waterfall…and seemed to enjoy it. Looks like a great trip – you and Craig are amazing parents!
Now I need to go vote…

Starnes Fam - OH, I can’t wait! Your trip report has made me even more excited for ours. We are treking cross country for Walley World. I cannot wait. Good for you for all you did….it was one to remember!

Kristy Ledford - Hi Meg!
This is my first time commenting on your blog or anyone’s blog for that matter. I found you through Apartment Therapy and ever since I tune in regularly. My husband jokes that I’m stalking you. LOL! I saw you in my Country Living magazine and said to him, “SEE!…..she’s famous!”.
Congrats on your blogluxe nominee. I’m totally voting for you, for sure, for sure. That’s my valley girl talk…I’m from southern California (currently living in Atlanta) so I had to throw that in. I thoroughly enjoyed your pics from your California trip. In fact, your note at the end made me tear up. I don’t know why, I don’t even know you, but I guess I feel like I do. And I know what you mean about never forgetting your trip….those are memories that will stay with you and forever make you smile.

Sarah Beth - What an amazing adventure! I enjoyed all the pictures thoroughly. They will remember this for a life time with the pictures you’ve taken. Kids grow up way to fast not to take pictures every day!
I think I found you through the Mac’s. I’m not sure if I’ve posted a comment on here before, but feel free to check out our blog at http://www.darrahsonline.blogspot.com God bless your weekend!

Colleen - Wowie that is some waterfall and the rest of the scenery too. We stayed in Beverly Hills last summer for a few days when Ellie shot the St. Jude commercial with Jennifer Aniston. I had been to LA before but the whole Beverly Hills thing was surreal. Our 12 year old Emma absolutely loved the whole scene but I had to rain on her parade and let her know this is not reality for 99% of the world. We also stayed a day in Malibu and feel in love with it. The surfers, Pacific Coast Highway, the huge beach houses, sea lions… all of it. Thanks for taking us back!
-Colleen 🙂

Heather @ Cookie Mondays - 1st in n out?! no way! 🙂

Lee Ann - I loved every minute of seeing your vacation! But…I did treat myself to a Starbucks….it’s Saturday after all.
No hamburgers? Seriously? Hmmmm….. poor, poor kids. Especially an in-an-out burger. I’m getting hungry!
Looks like a great time!

Kyleigh - I’ve voted for you! Congratulations on the nomination Megan! I was looking at this and I found myself showing my husband:
“Hey, G, this is the lovely blog I look at – you know the one I said about with the amazing photos?”
“uh huh”
“Look, look at the lovely photos… she has 5 kids and she’s the same age as me – how cool eh?”
“yeah”
Ah well… but just wanted to say thanks for the inspiration. So much so I started my own blog in March (not a patch on yours but hey). If anything I love looking back on it myself… remembering things. You must get that too huuh?
Hope you win. You deserve it!

Beth - I loved seeing your trip . . .I didn’t tire of it one bit, and looked forward to the next installment. I’m sorry it’s over! But I’ll take a starbucks anyway 🙂

Anna Marie - Congrats on the blogluxe nominee. You were the only one I nominated on that entire thing 😉 Because anyone who is anyonw knows that your blog IS the best when it comes to eye candy.
Enjoyed all of the vacay posts!

Laura Phelps - I can not wait to tell my kids that your kids passed on an IN N OUT burger! They won’t believe me!
I love your family picture…can I use it for my Christmas cards???? It is beautiful.
Your family is so fabulous…but you know that.
Now…I made it through your tour of photos…can I get a vanilla skim latte, please??

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california 8….sequoia national park

June 19, 2009

we loaded up two cars and tried to get out of town.

a drug store…

a gas station…

a starbucks…

back into starbucks for a bathroom….

then a fruit stand and THEN we were out.

we drove up moms in one car…dads in the other.

more time to chat.

walking through a tree.

being up in these amazing mountains was beautiful and so very quiet.

until annie had a meltdown.

it smelled like christmas.

this was a great place for the kids to run and jump and climb.

do you want to play one of my favorite games?

it's been awhile since we've played….

find-the-teenager-who-doesn't-want-anyone-to-know-that-she-is-with-us.

ha.

we loaded up again and drove on to a spot for lunch.

this time only the dad's drove.

i am sure annie is telling him what to do…she is good at that.

we fed everyone by the water.

craig got to eat his fresh nectarines.

tonya brought rice krispie treats.

we had 2 coolers.

i looked around while we ate and felt like a REAL mom.

i was trying to soak in all in…be in the moment.

so happy to be able to be there with tonya.

we've known each other 20 years…and look how far we've come.

8.5 kids later vacationing half a country apart.

i love her.

then we headed up to the cave….had our own personal tour.

it was very dark in there…hence the blurry photo.

all i could think of was Goonies.

i kept saying in a whisper voice "chester copperpot"

only craig got it. :)

after being there i decide i don't need to ever do that again.

my mind kept racing thinking…what if we got stuck in here?

what if the lights go out?

yuck.

i realize i am sounding more and more crazy each california post…..

i am not.

at least i don't think i am.

(but do most crazy people really think they are crazy? hmmm )

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Suzanne - I NEED to have your camera. Your photos are really amazing.
You are so fun and honest, I really enjoy your blog a lot. Your kids are adorable and I laugh at how teenager-ish your oldest daughter is and that you are capturing it all on film is awesome!

Cate O'Malley - Love the last photo especially – too sweet!

CherryTreeLane - I have very fond memories of visiting there when I was a little girl. What a great trip down that lane. Wonderful pics!

renee - beautiful, i just love your blog

purejoy - bee YOU tee ful!!
whatintheworld!! amazing! and i sniffed my screen to see if it smelled like christmas, too. i was sure it would!
and p.s. the peaches looked amazingly delicious!! i wanted to grab one right from the picture.
too bad.
no smellivision!

Staci - I think once would be enough for me too…. I wouldn’t have been able to keep my mind from wondering about what little (OR BIG) creatures might eat my family and make the 5 o’clock news 🙁 YIKES! Love Annie’s meltdown pic 🙂 Bless her little bones 🙂

Laura Phelps - I often believe I am NOT crazy because I am so aware of the fact that I AM crazy.
Must be California. People here are crazy.
And your photos are crazy good.

Vera - Beautiful pictures! I just love Annie – I think I would give her whatever in the whole wide world she might want, seeing her curled up and crying on that bench (since she’s not MY child ha ha!) She just SO CUTE!

Carrie - Best of both worlds…Find the teenager, followed by a picture with a smile.:)
I loved the goonies reference. Every once in a while my girlfriend will look at me and go “Ruth Ruth, Baby Ruth” People just shake their head and walk away.

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - Oh I just got Goonies at a garage sale for my girls. I can’t remember how scary it is or if it’s age appropriate…I remember seeing it as a kid but that’s not saying much;)
Anyway your pictures were gorgeous. That is on my lists of places to see someday. The cliffs by the ocean…breathtaking. You really captured it.

jsbutterfly - Is that an iguana in the sequoia? Take a look at the second picture in this post. At the top of the tree everone is walking into, there is a perfectly detailed and fossilized-looking iguana perched up there. It even has its leg hanging down the side in perfect iguana style!

Kyleigh - Lions and tiger and bears oh my!
LOVE your pictures… again!
Wow, we don’t have trees or ANYTHING that big over here. You make me want to see the big ole U,S and A (Borat..)
I’ve just introduce my girls to the Goonies… well, they watched it, but I don’t think they LOVED it like I did as a kid in the 80’s eh? You too, obviously. Man I had such a crush on Mikey *sigh*

Melissa - Wow, those are some massive trees.. How cool to walk through one. I agree with you about the cave though – since I became a mom I am a little “crazy” myself. 🙂 SUCH a great vacation!
Loudonland.blogspot.com

Darby - Meg, I love it! If you’re crazy, I’m crazy too! 🙂 Love all the pictures… you’re making me want to go to CA tomorrow!

Laura - Oh wow… seriously… wow. Thanks for sharing.

Starnes Fam - We love state parks and practically lived at them in Colorado. Will explore more of KS and MO once the weather cools off. A state park pass is money well spent in this family. Quick walks, long nature hunts, easy picnics…..being outside and enjoying some good old fashioned family fun. So many people are missing that these days!

Erica - I knew the tress were big but I didn’t know they were THAT big!! WOW!! very cool! The coolest is vacationing with friends. LOVE THAT!!

Joni - This is on my bucket list…so, it was fun going with you! I love all your shots, especially the meltdown and the draggin’ behind all the rest teen shot! Hehehe! Been there, done that, two teenagers all through it, one to go!
XOXO
Joni

rachel - Wow what an amazing place. You’ve taken some fantastic pictures. I’d love to go there…..may I will someday!! 😀

katherine - oh, don’t you love CA? My hubbie I lived in Los Altos pre-kid days. 🙂 I miss those trees and all the yummy fruit stands.
Love the pillow (cora sale), by the way. Still trying to get geared up to organizing a craft room. Too lazy so far… maybe soon!

erica - beautiful pictures! wow! i love the sequoias! there’s nothing like them is there???

Anna@Boogers,Bibs,Books&Bubbles - I love The Goonies!!! Ruth, Baby Ruth!
I have always wanted to see those huge trees. Thanks for sharing! :o)

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california 7…snails

June 14, 2009

we don't have these in kansas.

we have slugs and teeny tiny snails but not like these.

craig found one and threw it (such a boy!)

and i yelled "NOOOO!!! i wanted to see a california snail!"

he looked at me with complete confusion…he couldn't tell if i was serious or not.

i was serious.

phil found more for me…oh and for the kids.

because they are everywhere.

bigger than a quarter.

the kids kept bringing me more…

they were climbing all over each other.

they were sliding up my arm and falling off…sliming me up…pretty gross.

someone found a bucket and the kids started to fill that.

by the end of the hunt they had 40 snails.

sharon was happy to have them out of her garden.

and i was so glad i got to see a california snail.

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stephanie - I come home to find out my little one put a snail in her mouth!! YUCK!

Kirsten - Total flashback to my childhood in California…here in the Pacific Northwest we have snails without shells…errr…slugs. But when I was a kid we had this rockery along the driveway and I would run the hose down the rocks and wash the snails out. I think they were my *pets*. Yuck.

Sarah B - I used to collect all those snails when I was a kid here in California. I had Daddy ones and Mommy ones and lots of little baby ones. Thank you for not killing the little fellas. I’m kind of partial to them, even though they eat my flowers. My girls love them. I love your photos of them too. I might have to get some pics of my kids with them. Good memories!
Southern California has a plethora of weird creatures…yesterday there was an iddy biddy gopher (looked like a hamster) at the church picnic. So that’s what’s making all those dirt piles in my new grass!
Also, raccoons, coyotes, house spiders, possums, rats and mice, and I haven’t seen a bobcat yet!
Your blog is sweet.

andrea liese - i cant believe you put them in your hand, i am so grossed out by bugs moving in my hand

Emilie - REALLY? really? You can come back to California ANYTIME and come play with my snails! We fight over who gets to throw them in front of a moving vehicle 🙂

wendy - Snails and gardens are not a good mix. We used to put salt on them. They would shrivel up and die on the spot. Mean, I know but crucial for the garden. The worst was when you’d step on them with bare feet at night. Yuck! One thing I don’t miss about California.

Ruth - you held them in your HAND??? sweet holy moses, never in a million years would i let them anywhere near me…!

Jesus Christ - collecting snails is my way of getting to sit for a long time..because they just keep filling that bucket…I am glad our CA snails showed you a good time

Jess - Meg…seriously? Sorry, I just can’t so slimy. We’ve been enjoying our first week of break and I haven’t had much time to comment….but I am reading every day! CA looked like a great trip.
Just wondering if you ever decided what to do to that third floor….hint,hint.

cynthia - i can’t believe you did that…i would have threw up!

Lori Danelle - We don’t have California snails, but we do have Tennessee snails. . .and SLUGS! YUCK! YUCK! YUCK!!!
And if CA snails are anything like they are in TN, then I am positive she’s glad to have them out of their garden!! My husband as waged a full out war on the ones residing in our garden, and I am proud to say that though their ranks seem to never be depleted, he has been successful in keeping them off the plants. (the trick is to bait them with something they like more. . .such as melon rinds, and then just go gather them up)
I really can’t believe you let those things climb all over you. Brave? Not really sure what to chalk that up as. . . 🙂
For a glimpse of the slug war:
http://loridanelle.blogspot.com/2009/05/slugs-like-beer.html

Chasity - those snails look very happy. and slimy.
i’ve always liked snails myself but like you…ours are just tiny little guys.
have a great week.
chasity

deb meyers - I just treated my hosta garden with slug poison…hate hate hate, ewwwwwwwwwwww, you are brave I could NEVER hold those things.
Pic of Annie and the slugs is priceless : )
deb meyers

Kathy - So cool and nasty I hate those things! I think I vomited in my mouth seeing you hold them! My thought was hurry go wash your hands!!

Rach - While I think they are cute and I have always loved snails since I was a kid, living in LA now and trying to keep a garden is very frustrating when these little guys eat EVERYTHING. 🙂

Keri - Seriously? No big snails in Kansas?? Wow – I had no idea what treasures were living in my yard. We have TONS, and constantly have to put out snail bait to kill them. (Don’t tell your kids.) My boys love them too: they like touching their little eye antennae things to make them go down. Gross.

Christina - I could NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER do that! You are one amazing woman!

Tiffany Trout - I have LOVED your photos of California. You have showed off our state just beautifully….until the snails :). I swear people out here have 54,789,937,903 in our gardens. My kids love to collect them and then they throw salt on them. They bubble up…it’s so gross and cool at the same time, you missed quite the photo opp. with the salt experiment. Thanks for your beautiful pictures of California. I love your blog :).
Tiffany from Cali.

Trish - Lol!! I’ll stick with Wisconsin snails, thank you very much. I mean, hmmm… I think we have snails? Slugs, mosquitoes, and horseflys as big as my nose for sure, I’ll have to check into the snail thing…

melissa mae - Wow, you’re just like me. I cried when my friends dad was throwing snails on the roof to kill them.

Sara - EEEEWWWW!! I could only give those snails an eye, and then I had to turn away. So gross, I would have been vomiting over and over and over again if I had all those snails on my hand! You ROCK!

Dana M. - Loved seeing Phil and Tonya!! She is so cute! Thanks for sharing.

Vera - You’re so pretty! Weird, but pretty 🙂

elizabeth - so gross — I’ve actually stepped on them with bare feet, by accident in my yard. Ugh —
glad you got some joy from them, though, poor hated things…

kathy b - I thought everyone had snails like these. Who knew. At my house we go out when the sun first comes up, before they go hide, and them pick them up and throw them in the street! We always had snail day at Preschool and we would do snail painting, letting them trail through some paint. Kids everywhere love snails.
Kathy b in california

erica - that is HILARIOUS! i cannot believe you had them all over your arm. you are, like, the coolest mom ever 😉 when my husband and i lived in modesto (ca) we had those snails all over the walkway to our door… like there was no where to step without crunching one. it was gross.

alice - i love your blog! these pictures are great 🙂 do you guys homeschool?

Trish - That is so gross and cool at the same time.
So I went into “your camera section” and found out that you use this lense EF 28-105 mm. I am in the process of buying the Canon D40 and am completely clueless when it comes to lenses. {i’m sure the guy behind the counter is like, seriously lady?} anyways, I was wondering if you could let me know on a real life perspective how great it is. I mean I see your photos and they are amazing… i want my photography biz to lean more in the direction of laid back and natural, natural and natural! If you have a moment I would love any info you could give… plus if you have a fun blog/website you like to visit for tips and tricks for a beginner!

Allikayes Mama - That’s funny! I have California snail pictures too – except I did not touch them…or let them crawl on my arm! You crazy girl! They are fascinating for us Kansas and Colorado gals though!

Courtney - AHHH! Those snails are grossing me out!

se7en - When we moved in to our house we had bazillions of these snails and you would go “crunch crunch” in the morning dew… but I think the previous owners got rid of the snakes they found – hehehe little brown snakes are now prolific, they are slug/snail eaters so our snail population is under control… can’t say much about the snake population except when I come across one I toss it into the neighbors… gotta love living in Africa!

maisy - gross…

Kelly - You are one brave mama to have all of those snails crawling on you. It’s really fun to see you in the pics. Looks like y’all had a great time! Kelly

julie - Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww! Sort of just threw up in my mouth! Please never ever ever ever ever post a snail extravaganza ever again. The evil creatures have devoured my pretty flower beds and left slimy trails all over. Not one of my most favorite of God’s creations. Perhaps I can fill up a USPS flat rate box with them and send them your way.

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