First Family Vacation...

In February my mom's father, Grandpa Lee as we know him, passed away. Two years ago, Kason and I were fortunate to make it up to Michigan for Grandpa Lee to meet his first great-grandson.

Although he never met Max, we sent him plenty of pictures to keep him updated. When he passed away, Daniel and I were determined to get both boys up to Michigan to be with my mom and her family for Grandpa Lee's memorial service. Due to the snow in February, the service was planned for June 30th. Since our entire family was headed to Michigan, we decided to make a family vacation out of it, rent a house, and relax the entire week in the quaint town of...

We flew to Michigan and I must confess that I was a nervous wreck having Mr. Max exposed to so many people and germs...but of course God intervened and we had a sick free trip! We had a great time honoring Grandpa Lee's memory and catching up with his relatives. Kason especially loved it because one of Grandpa Lee's brothers live on a lake, so Kason was a little excited for a boat ride...

 and even enjoyed a slide into the lake water...

Before my aunt, uncle, and cousins headed back to Texas, we had a cookout to spend a little quality time together...

Kason loved playing with his cousin Grahm that he doesn't get to see very often...

After our busy two days of reuniting with relatives, our family clan spent several days soakin' up the sun, strolling through town...

and relaxing on the back porch. 

Max got out of the house a few times, but was content to spend most of his time rolling around and exploring a new environment...

Actually, Max was happier in Michigan than he is at home...Daniel and I keep joking that maybe we need to move there because we have never seen him smile or laugh so much! One of my favorite days was when we took the kids to the beach...

Kason wasn't quite sure what to think because he hasn't ever been before, but my niece Miss Sadie is a already a Beach Diva...

since she has been on two beach vacations already with her parents. As for Max, well he was a little confused by the texture of sand...

Once the cabana was set up, Mimi and Doc hung out with Maxers while he played in a sun free, sand free, people free environment...

While Kason and Sadie got their feet wet!

 Another day of fun was the 4th of July! We were fortunate the parade came through right in front of the house we were vacationing in!

All of us weathered the heat for a little patriotic fun...

Of course Sadie and Max hung out on our laps...

While Kason and Doc were in search of catching as much candy as possible...

I would venture to say everyone had a good time, especially our favorite little lady...

Kason was so pumped up on the 4th of July that he serenaded us all evening...

 while getting to stay up way past bedtime for some fireworks action! 

 This was our first family vacation with the four of us due to Mr. Max's situation...

 and I must say that the anxiety over the trip was for nothing! Both boys were fantastic and the Clayton Crew was blessed to spend a week with family out of the house!!! I'm already looking forward to next spring when Max will no longer be home bound and more of these trips will be planned!