Good morning!! How are you doing? I’ve been so looking forward to sharing this trip with y’all! If you’ve followed this blog for a few years- you may know how special Traverse City, Michigan is to me and my fam. My mom was raised there, and my sister and I spent many weeks in the summers and winters there. And the cherry on top.. (pun totally intended as TC is the Cherry Capital of the world)- DJ proposed to me at my Aunt’s house on the water in Suttons Bay (right next to TC). Every time we go back it feels like home away from home. Not only was it special introducing Quinn to the place that holds such a cherished place in our hearts, but we also got to introduce her to the people we cherish there: her Great Aunt Terry, Uncle Pat and Great Grandma and Grandpa!
We handled the drive the exact same way we did for the wedding trip to Illinois, leaving at midnight on September 2nd and driving through the night. It worked well again!
When we arrived, a glowing sunrise over the placid bay greeted us.

After we pulled in the driveway, overwhelmed by excitement and exhaustion, we unpacked and took in the gorgeous morning. The air itself in TC is different- it is much cleaner and fresher than our air here in OH. Ahh 😌.
My Aunt Terry and Quinn were instant best friends!! Every time Quinn spotted my Aunt throughout the weekend she would just light up! Also, their dog, Stout, was so sweet with her. He was her little guard dog. We stayed in the downstairs bedroom, and if he ever heard Quinn cry he’d come sit at the stairs to check on her. It was adorable. Reminded us of Moose (who was staying with his second mom, Marie, for the weekend).

I tried to nap, but Quinn was not having it! She was ready to take on the day- so we got her changed, dressed and headed upstairs for all the fun. I gave myself an IV of coffee (I wish, it really was an extra half a cup- not quite the same, but it did the trick) and rallied!


We spent the day catching up with my Aunt Terry and Uncle Pat and took it super easy. We went on a beautiful and peaceful morning walk together in the neighborhood to kick off the day. It helped get the cob webs off from the drive.

The rest of the day, we just relaxed between Quinn’s feeds and naps in the carrier. They have a treadmill too, so I just used that to get her to fall asleep if she refused to just conk out while I was stationary in my carrier. It will be nice when we can get her to nap in a pack n’ play, so I don’t miss out on time visiting with people when we travel. Or when they visit us.

My Aunt had this tremendous dealcoholized sauvignon blanc. It was a dead ringer for a sauvignon blanc! While I can technically have a drink here and there as long as I carefully time out the feeds/bottles, I rarely do because it’s more trouble than it’s worth. So, I was excited to try out this wine! It was delicious! Highly recommend if you’re looking for a good dealcoholized wine.










They were beaming ear to ear the entire time we were there. It was sooo sweet & so special. She was soon due for a nap after we got there, so I put her in my carrier, we all sat outside and chatted while she snoozed.
Then it was time for more cuddles and pictures!




While we were at G & Gs, DJ and Uncle Pat went golfing. DJ has never golfed there before, so it was a fun new experience for him!
When we got home, DJ took over and I snuck in another run. It felt amazing!


The next day, September 4th, we all felt ready to go! Especially this girl!
I made sure to capture at least one sunrise too (I know you have seen a sunrise before, but have you seen this sunrise?! ;)). They are so beautiful there!
After breakfast, we went on a nice walk, had a really chill morning filled with tummy time & naps- then my Aunt picked up my G & G to come over for the afternoon to watch football, hang out all together and then have dinner.



It’s corn!
A couple family pics before ending the night (Quinn was snoozin’ at this point, and, don’t worry, I readjusted Quinn in the carrier after this- she was getting a bit low!).

We had planned on trying to leave at midnight again that evening so we could have actual labor day to get ready for the week. We tried to go to sleep, but Quinn was not having it. DJ and I decided it may be more productive to just leave right then (around 8 pm) rather than waiting until midnight. It did take a lot of soothing and one last big feed to get her to finally settle in the car, but the rest of the trip was smooth after that!
And that sums up a very special trip to TC <3.
Thanks for sharing in it with us! Cannot WAIT to go back!
Question for you:
- Do you have a ‘home away from home’?
<3,
Mackenzie
How wonderful !! I love on the border of Michigan in Windsor Ontario. So the photos and story of your home away from home with your child hits home x 100 ♥️ Michigan is definitely our home away from home. Have a fabulous night Mackenzie! ☀️ Andrea
Aww that’s so cool you share a fondness for this special place 🥰. Thank you for sharing with me, Andrea!!
Oh, what a beautiful, loving weekend you had! And the food looks amazing. Such a blessing to spend time with family- you all look so happy.
Thank you so much, Jena!! Was a special time 🥰
This post brought the biggest smile to my face!! You aren’t kidding when you say how magical this area is. Your photos are phenomenal, and I know photos still don’t do it justice. What a tranquil, beautiful place to visit!
Quinn is unbelievably adorable! Those outfits, that smile (!), her personality. Such a perfect little girl! I cannot believe she has a tooth. Matt and I *think* Ansley may be getting one herself, so we’ll keep an eye on her gums. I didn’t expect it possibly so soon, eeps!
All of your food looks so delicious. You know I LOVE a cafe au lait. What a treat!
You look so beautiful. You are such an effortless, stylish mama.
I’m so glad you got this time with family. What a precious gift and memories to cherish for a lifetime. Thank you for sharing!
xo,
Kori
Aww so glad you enjoyed this post, Kori!! 🥰 Ahh I hope teething hasn’t been too bad for Ans- it’s so cute though when they pop through. Quinn has both her bottom ones now and I just die whenever she smiles 😍
Awww thanks so much, friend! You’re always boostin’ my confidence because I feel haggard most days 😅
Thank you for reading ☺️
What a beautiful spot they have! Looks like Quinn is going to love the water.
I really think she is too!! Thanks for stopping in, Diane 🙂
I remember how special this place is to you Mackenzie. I am smiling from seeing all Quinn’s smiles and joyous laughter. 🙂
Thanks for sharing in this special trip, Linda 😊
Also not surprised you remember- you have the BEST memory!!!
Thank you Mackenzie – it was shortly after I started following you that you took a trip to TC.
😊
I love that Traverse City holds such a special place in your heart and that you were able to introduce it to Quinn! And ugh.. could she be any cuter?! Seriously, she’s SO adorable! That smile!!
Awww thank you, friend!! 🥰