Pedaling a Bike

Another milestone!! He is such a big boy.

Holland, Michigan

We took a day trip Holland last week. I've been wanting to go there, walk around the campus, hit up the bookstore for kid-sized Hope gear. It was a beautiful day to enjoy my alma mater - Hope College.

The boys first picture with Hope's iconic anchor.

A musical statue on 8th Street. 

Ryan tries chicken corn chowder - a local favorite at 8th Street Grille. 

He usually loves soup but this was a bit peppery for his taste. 

Enjoying ice cream at Captain Sundae - another Holland institution. 

Evan on a little bench at Captain Sundae. 

Chicago

We took a little day trip to Chicago on Thursday. A friend of mine from my NYC days was in Chicago and I hadn't seen him in years. So we went for a visit. My brothers and Christine joined us. 

We met at my brother Steve's apartment. Here's the view of Lake Michigan from his roof deck. It was a fabulous roof deck!!

We went to Navy Pier - a spot for shopping, eating, and amusement park ambiance. First order of business, Ryan had to ride the train.

Ryan and Evan wait for carousel tickets to be purchased. 

Christine on the carousel. 

Ryan is now officially a willing carousel rider. Only exception, he must ride on the bench. 

Burke and Evan in the ferris wheel car. 

Me, Ryan and my friend Derrick. He's the reason we made the Chicago trip. He and I were both music teachers in Brooklyn.

Steve, Joey & Christine on the ferris wheel. 

At the end of the evening, we stopped for ice cream in Steve's neighborhood. 

Christine generously shares her ice cream, slobbery baby germs and all, with Evan. 

Raspberry Picking

The winery I work at also has a u-pick fruit farm. Last week, Burke and I took the boys to the winery to pick some raspberries. We took a tractor ride out to the raspberry patch and picked 2 pints. We brought a picnic lunch for the boys. They ate while Burke and I enjoyed a glass of wine. It was such a lovely outing. 

Arizona Part 5: Other Highlights

Finally, after being home for about a week, I am getting to the last post from our Arizona trip. 

I love this shot. 

Evan on the way down.

Max, Evan & Ryan

Yum!

Evan waking up from a nap.

What a face!

Evan looks out the airplane window as we get ready to land in Detroit. 

Home safely! What a fun trip. 

Arizona Part 4: Downtown Tempe

Just for fun, we rode the light rail train to downtown Tempe. 

In downtown Tempe, they had this splash pad for water play. Ryan liked maneuvering this massive sprayer. I wasn't paying attention and all of a sudden, he soaked me. He didn't mean to and it cooled me off, so it wasn't a big deal.

Evan goes down the water slide. 

Ryan's turn on the slide. 

Arizona Part 3: Railroad Park

We visited this railroad park when we visited AZ in December. It was so busy then. This time, it was so NOT busy. I guess mid-morning, during AZ summer is not the time people take their kids out to play at a railroad park. But we did. And it was fun. 

Carousel

We got Ryan to ride it again! But he insisted on sitting in the wagon.

I rode a horse with Evan. 

Train ride in the blazing sun.

Evan saying "choo-choo."

Ryan "steers" the train. 

Arizona Part 2: The Mall

We severely lack retail options in our area of Michigan, so it was fun to go to an actual, real live mall while in Arizona. 

This mall has a train. 

Evan presents his ticket!

It's a miracle! Ryan rode a carousel. He liked it so much, he went back later to ride it again!

Evan hopped on too. 

Evan didn't like it so much, so Burke took him off. 

Evan tried on hats, while Burke shopped for a new Braves hat.