On my way to Michigan

It has been a tradition for over ten years now...heading to Michigan for the Fourth of July.  This year, however, our trip is even more exciting because we get to bring Eli.  He's finally at the stage where he is interacting with the people and objects around him, so we're enjoying the smiles and squeals of delight as he experiences things for the first time.
Here's a photo of Eli in the car on our way to the UP on Friday:

Eli enjoys looking out the big windows in the minivan and listening to acoustic guitar music, but I do wish he liked car rides a little more.  He does well for the first 3 hours or so, but after that he gets stir crazy and frustrated at being pinned down in his car seat (I don't blame him!).  We make frequent stops for all of us (dogs included) to stretch our legs and get some fresh air.

On Saturday morning, we went to the Ishpeming parade (another tradition).  It was Eli's first parade and I was a little anxious about how he would do with the sirens and hubub.  He did surprisingly well (despite the sweltering heat!). The Ishpeming parade is notorious for being more like a long commercial advertising local businesses and government officials than an actual parade.  This year was no exception!  Eli didn't seem to mind though, as he loved watching all of the movement and followed each advertisement-plastered vehicle as it passed down the street.

One of the few bands that play in the parade.  Eli was bouncing to the music!

Proud Grammie loved holding Eli.  He is really recognizing people now, and Grammie is one of his favorites!

 We played "pass the baby" as Eli made his rounds to Auntie Barb.  They had fun watching the parade together too!

This year's parade was fun, but I find myself wondering how much Eli will have changed by next year's parade.  He'll be laughing, running around, and diving for candy by then.  It's so exciting watching him change before my eyes into a little boy instead of a little baby :)

On Monday, we went out to Tom and Mary Jo's camp with all of Jason's cousins.  What we call a "camp" up here is what would typically be called a "cabin" in Minnesota or Wisconsin.  Tom and Mary Jo have a camp right on the beautiful Dead River.  We usually go out and spend the day here enjoying the sun, the beach, the boats, the fireworks and each other's company.  This year, however, we were bombarded with rain almost the entire time.  All 20+ of us squeezed into the camp and ate some great food and played with all the kiddos hoping in vain that the rain would stop...it never did.  We didn't let the rain stop us from letting Eli try out the water for the first time...we figured he was going to get wet one way or another!  Jason donned his suit and took Eli for his very first swim:

He wasn't sure what to think at first, but after a while he started to kick and splash with a smile on his face.

He stuck his tongue out to taste the water.  After a bit, he got a little chilly so Mom was waiting with a warm towel to whisk him away and dry him off.  Hopefully his next water experience will be warmer and sunnier, but I think he had fun nonetheless!

So, we're not even half way done with our vacation yet.  We have a whole 6 days left to enjoy the company of family and friends and to revel in Michigan's natural beauty...let's just hope the weather shapes up!  We still have a kayaking trip planned, an overnight stay at a camp to look forward to, more fireworks for Pioneer Days in Negaunee to see, some fly-fishing to do, and some wild blueberries to pick.  I'll post more pictures as our adventures continue.