Tunnel Beach and Mooville

We finally had the opportunity to go to Lake Michigan! We went with our neighbors, the Phillips to Tunnel Beach in the town of Holland. It is breathtakingly beautiful. There is a large rise of sand that runs along the shore that you have to climb over to get to the beach. I recommend you do this for the astounding view at the top. (There are stairs.) You can also take the tunnel (thus the name) that runs through the dune for an easier go of it. It's a fairly empty beach and it's gorgeous, you can see up and down the shore for miles. The water is shallow for ages, you can walk out quite a ways without it going past your knees and the lake-bed is really smooth. It's nice to know that your kids can venture as far as they please without worrying about drop offs. Also the sand is super clean and even squeaks when you run your hands through it. This is why. Fancy sand and brochure talk aside, Eleanor love, love, loved our day at the beach. She has always been a water baby and I feel downright negligent for not taking her swimming more often.

Oh, and her swimsuit. I mean come on!

Starting out carefully with dad.

Enjoying it with mom.And loving the raft float that the Phillips brought. Pictured here with Nora and Clayton. The water was pleasantly cool, but Eleanor would never get out if we didn't intervene. She would fuss and protest with her blue and shivering lips.

Pouting on the sand.

Eating ALL kinds of sand covered snacks. That's good on her baby teeth, right?

Back in the water with dad.Family pictures!

After the beach we stopped for Wendy's before heading on to Mooville. On the way I spotted one of the three Latinos in Michigan. Driving the sweetest ride I have seen in ages. (Don't zoom in on the tail gate. It's rated PG18.)

Ok, so Mooville is this charming dairy in Nashville/Charlotte that has a free petting zoo outside. It's just amazing. We all got ice cream cones and went out to enjoy the setting sun and the baby animals. Here are Eleanor and Sophie with the goats.

And the little calf. So cute.

And the ice cream! Boy, did she sleep like a rock that night. My camera battery died or I would have seventy million more pictures of Eleanor gazing at animals. I do have a few videos I will try to put in another post. So cute!