Yesterday while we were walking around in the center of South Haven the girls noticed the Golden Brown Bakery. When we woke up we decided to drive back into town to check it out. Apparently this was the thing to do and the place to go as there was a line out the door when we arrived. The line made the anticipation of the treats to come build up even more. There were so many yummy looking treats the girls had a very hard time deciding what to get. In the end, they each chose to get double chocolate muffins. We also got a variety of cookies to bring for dinner with our cousins tonight. They could not wait to get back to the RV to enjoy their muffins. It was a beautiful morning so they sat outside savoring each chocolaty bite while Adam and I got ready to make another move.
I got everything inside the RV ready while Adam broke down camp. We were on the road at 10am. Today we were heading 178 miles east to Haas Lake RV Park in New Hudson, Michigan. This was the closest campground to our cousins. They live about another 14 miles east in Farmington Hills.
We arrived at Haas Lake around 1:30. This new campsite was enormous but very rugged. There was a huge lake on site. While Adam was setting up camp I took the girls over to see the swans swimming.
We were all very excited to get over to Farmington Hills to finally spend time with our cousins. For Adam and I it had been eight years since we saw them and sadly, the last time we were here for a funeral. When we arrived to Pandy’s house Alyson and her beautiful kids, Gabe and Danielle were already there. Ella and Gabe met as babies but of course did not remember. It was our first time meeting Danielle in person and their first time meeting Lily. At first the kids were each a little shy but in no time at all they were off and playing together like they were best friends. My heart could not have been happier in this moment. I have such fond memories as a child coming to Michigan and playing with my cousins and to have the next generation doing the same was beyond special. While the kids played the adults sat outside and talked as if no time had passed. Just before dinner time, Alyson’s husband Bob came from work to join us. Pandy treated us all to a beautiful, homemade Shabbat dinner. Standing together in the dining room, saying the prayers as we lit the candles, passed the challah and did the Kiddush is a memory I will never forget. As always, Pandy’s dinner was absolutely delicious and we had a wonderful time sitting together to enjoy this special meal. Gabe and Bob had to leave to go to baseball practice. The girls continued to play and the rest of us continued to chat and catch up. After a bit we all came back to the table for dessert. Sadly, the mixed berry crumble pie was an absolute mess. As soon as we cut into it we realized it was not cooked evenly and a lot of it was still raw. The cookies were a hit though. We talked about all the options for tomorrow and made a plan to go to Greenfield Village. It was hard for the girls to say good bye. As we parted ways we were all eager to reconnect and spend a fun day together tomorrow.
Unfortunately we do not have any pictures from the evening. We were all so caught up in the moment and reconnecting that we never thought to snap a few shots. We're staying here for three nights though so plenty of opportunity to make up for this over the next couple days.
