The BEST vacation ever!!!!!!

****WARNING TONS OF PICTURES!!!!!!!!!!****


Hi everyone! WOW, this post took forever to do, lol! And I still didn't put all of the pictures on here. It will take a couple of posts to get all the pictures on. I started off with pictures of Mackinac Island because that is always my favorite place to go! I feel so lucky to live in a state with a place as beautiful as Mackinac Island. It is just steeped in history and I feel it is one of the most beautiful places in the world! I can never tire of going there. In fact, I would love to have a home there some day. Chad and I found a sweet, quaint Bed and Breakfast called The Cottage Inn that we plan to book for next year! I also discovered a wonderful local artist while on the Island! Her name is Mary Lou Peters and she is a watercolor artist. She paints the prettiest pictures in a whimsical fashion of the beautiful places on the Island. She has a painting of The Cottage Inn B&B that I plan to order! I purchased a book by her that is wonderful, I will share it with you all in the upcoming days.

REMEMBER, YOU CAN ENLARGE ALL PICTURES :)






We had this family picture done on the Island. Oh my gosh, it was so much FUN to dress up and get this done! I am the only one smiling because I got the money, lolol!! I think it is so cute that I am the only girl too! Imagine living back in these days! My guys look pretty rough ~ but I like that, lol!!



Getting ready to board the ferry to the Island.

The ferry

Here is the gorgeous Grand Hotel. Have you seen Somewhere in Time? Wonderful movie!!!! I remember loving it when I was very young even. It is beautiful.

I just think this church is so beautiful!!!

Look at these beautiful horses!!! They are HUGE!!!

The desired transportation on the island. Cars are not allowed on the island which I just love! You can walk, ride a bike or travel by these beautiful horses.

Huge and delicious slices of pie and ice cream at the Tea Room at Fort Mackinaw. Every time we sat down to eat, I got so busy helping the kids and everything else that I always forgot to take pictures! But did manage to get this one, lol! The Tea Room is beautiful and has the most beautiful view of the water. In the cold months, you can dine by the fire inside the Tea Room.

We ate lunch at The Seabiscuit Cafe. It was FABULOUS!!! I had the best sandwich I have ever had! It was chicken salad. It had dried Traverse City cherries in it and toasted pumpkin seeds with a spicy mayo. So good! It was served with the best sweet potato fries too! The boys had shaved ham and cheese sandwiches. They were wrapped in a pastry! Fabulous!

The building behind this sign with the porch is my FAVORITE shop on the Island. You have to visit Fort Mackinaw to get in. They have the most beautiful home decor! ALL is cottage style and Victorian! I spent two hours in there, lol! I will show you what I bought in another post. I wish I would have bought more. Next year I will!

I think she looks so lovely! I want a dress like this.

They were doing reenactments of the war. My boys learned how to march with them. I will show pictures in another post.

I am in LOVE with this Cottage!!!!! I want to live here so bad. Isn't it beautiful?? It is yellow :)

See the pretty gazebo in the back of the cottage? LOVE it!

Another beautiful and very old cottage.

This is a home in the fort showing where the generals and their families lived. Lots of pretty china in the hutch!

The parlor in the generals home. Check out that dress! Chad was taking pix in here. I wish I would have gotten a better pic of that gorgeous baby carriage and the dolls in it! Look at the Victorian Settee!

The Mackinaw Bridge at dusk on the Fourth.

The sunset taken as we were going over the bridge.

Going over the bridge.

The house we stayed in.

This precious baby swam up to us one night and just sat there! So adorable! I think she was lost. I followed her for a bit but then lost her. I hope she is okay. It isn't often that you see a fawn all alone!

Chad and the boys fishing the night we got there.

We had to drive by this wagon every day to get to the house. I LOVE it!!!!!! I am going to turn this picture into some greeting cards. It is so beautiful!

I fell in love with this little lilac colored chair outside of this cottage shop. She had this decorated so cute!!!!

Famous Mackinac fudge!!! You cant go there and not get some :) Yes it is half eaten! Super chocolate, peanut butter and blueberry. ALL were delicious of course :)

I hope you enjoyed post one of our vacation. Sorry it was so long, lol!