Exploits Of A Coupon Addict: vacation

Monday, August 15, 2011

A Vacation From My Problems...

This past week, we headed up to Michigan for a little family vacation and some time to unwind. We stopped in Holland for some yummy G&L Hot Dogs and to order a candle and pick up some Dutch paraphernalia....the "Dutchies" refer to this part of Michigan as the "Motherland"...lol. After a short pit stop we made our way up to Grand Rapids to see a very old, dear friend from grade school. It is amazing how you can reconnect with someone almost 20 years later and pick up where you left off.

After our night in Grand Rapids, we headed up to Traverse City for five days to enjoy some time away from all the hub-bub of everyday life.

The boys had a blast. We stayed at the Great Wolf Lodge...a great place if you have little kids. There was plenty for the boys to do right within the hotel...a water park, an arcade, story time, bunk beds in the room...the list goes on and on. We also ventured out to see some of the local attractions, breweries and a lighthouse.

Here is a glimpse of our week away:

We also discovered this fabulous bakery called the Grand Traverse Pie Company. This place was SO good...we couldn't get enough so we went there twice and stopped to bring pies home to eat and share. The boys decided to enjoy some cookies there instead.

I really tried to go a whole week without couponing...but I just COULD NOT do it, so we picked up two Sunday papers in Michigan and I gave the ads a gander looking for anywhere that I could get a quick fix. Of course, Target was my fix of choice. I was also able to pick up some dryer sheets and free packets of tide to do some laundry on vacation (because what vacation isn't complete without a couple of loads of laundry squeezed in). Here is my little fix for a grand total of $1.51 with tax:

7-2 packs Sharpie Markers $7.00. Used 7 $1/1 Target printables = FREE
2 travel sizeTide $1.94. Used 2 $1/1 = $0.06 OVERAGE
1 Up & Up box dryer Sheets = $1.37

On our way back home, we stopped back in Holland to pick up our candle and some other Dutch goodies and hang for a while to help break up the trip. They had street performers in the downtown area, so we took a wander to check it out....the boys had a blast! It was a great end to an awesome vacation.