Whitehall Weekend!

We were only in Chicago for two quick days before we hopped in the cars and drove up North for some Michigan fun! Mallory and Bob took Nolan and Heath in their car. {Bless their souls!} Mark, my Dad, Brooks, and I took another car. We stopped along the way to let the boys run around, use the bathroom, and have a snack! 

This rest stop had a great playground! 

Typical traffic and construction made our trip a little longer than we expected, but we made it to Whitehall and were looking forward to a lot of fun family time for the next 4 days! My Mom was picking up Tyler & Laura from the airport that day and then driving up to join us the next. 

Brooks and Great Grandma Johnson playing catch! 

We have never actually been in Whitehall on the 4th of July, so we were really excited for some patriotic fun- small town style! 

On our way to the parade we had to stop and check out the famous horse-cow! A family favorite! Brooks especially liked him this year! 

Waiting for the parade to start. 

We picked up some refreshments from Wesco and were joined by all of the family a few at a time! 

Before we knew it, we had quite the crew. Probably about 20 of us Johnsons! It was super fun! 

The parade was full of churches and politicians. We especially liked this church ice cream truck that was passing out Otter Pops! One church had a full out worship band rocking out down the street! 

The boys ended up with A LOT of candy! Uncle Flobby was helping Heath clean up the street here, chasing after all unclaimed candy! 

Some of the great grandchildren inching their way out further and further into the street for candy! 

After the parade we headed back to Great Grandma's house to chill for a bit and connect with Grandma, Uncle T., and Auntie Laura before our family picnic at Aunt Lori's. 

The boys had fun with some Pop Its Auntie brought! They sure enjoyed making Auntie Laura JUMP! 

Lunch time at Lori's...

The little kids decided they wanted to eat in the sun room. It was fun seeing them all playing together and making each other laugh! 

Here is the whole fam! We were just missing 4! 

It was such a fun weekend of togetherness! One thing we love about Grandma's is how people just pop in and out of her house the whole time we are there! It's great! 

After the picnic we walked down to the lake to play at the park. 

Then we headed to the fireworks, which didn't start until after 10 p.m. It was a late night but the boys did great! 

Everyone had fun with sparklers! 

Brooks and Grandma loved watching all of the lanterns people were lighting and launching! 

My cousin Steven and I! 

The sun set was beautiful! 

The NON BLOODS! 

We also had fun with glow sticks while we waited! 

Love my cousins! 

And here was our whole group for the fireworks! We love being together! 

The firework show was long and sporadic, but fun none the less! 

The boys loved it! And loved getting to stay up so late! It was almost midnight by the time we walked home! 

So we slept in {sort of} the next morning and took it easy around Great Grandma's house. 

We took another walk down to the lake. 

Grandpa loved showing the boys all the places he went as a kid! They loved this "tunnel" between buildings. 

Chillin' by White Lake! 

Heath rockin' on the same horse I did as a kid! 

Mark and I would LOVE to strike it rich and have a house on a lake in Michigan! We are way more water people than mountain people! 

The best pic we could get of Auntie and Flobby with the boys! Ha! 

This MIDDLE was running around on the docks like a crazy person. We really were surprised that our clumsy one did not fall in! 

Nolan asked me, "Why do we walk everywhere here?" I loved this question! And my answer was, "because we can! Isn't it great!" The boys really loved it, but it is just so different from our normal life. You just can't walk everywhere in Parker like you can in Whitehall. It was so good for them to unplug and slow down! 

A little funny time with Uncle T. 

The boys played outside and ran around and around Great Grandma's house for hours each day! Just like Tyler, Mallory, and I did as kids! 

Grandpa and Nolan playing catch in the backyard.

It wouldn't be a visit to Whitehall without a meal at Dog 'n Suds! 

The boys love this spot because it's right on the water! 

Good food and great views! 

Followed by dessert at Dairy Treat! 

Can you spot the boys on the roof? 

Our walk home...

Love these two cute boys! 

After the boys were in bed us cousins played games, laughed a lot, and probably kept our Grandma up a little too late! 

The next morning we lounged around and prepared to head home to Chicago. 

The boys love my Grandma's frog collection and they especially love that she lets them bring one home with them each time! Here they are playing with their new froggies! 

My sweet Grandma in her house coat! She was so kind to stock up on all kinds of foods that the boys like! 

The boys sure love these two! 

And they LOVE their Great Grandma too! Wish we could see her more often. They make the best memories at her house. 

And of course we always have to take a pic on the front porch. Grandma and Grandpa had just taken the boys up to Pitkins to pick out some fun treats for the ride home! 

And they picked these out for me! 

Candy Buttons! The boys had never had them, but thought they were pretty cool. 

And here they were, zonked out pretty quickly on our ride home! They had a busy and fun filled weekend! 

While we were in Whitehall my Aunt Lori hosted a double shower for Mallory and Laura too! But that deserves it's own post. So stay tuned for that tomorrow!