The park. In pictures.

The Zoo

Eric and I switched days this week so the kids and I decided to head to the zoo. We had the most amazing weather and since school had just gotten back into session, we almost had the zoo to ourselves! The funny thing is that we ran into two of my coworkers and their two little ones so we ended up spending the day as a group of 7. Most of the animals spent their morning cleaning themselves but we got a close up view of a tiger, giraffes, and a cheetah was pacing just in front of Ian. When we got to the lions, both were asleep. Audrey announced to the group:

"He must have been up with his kids last night. That's why he's so tired today."

I have no idea where she hears these things...

State Fair

Audrey had a fabulous time at her first State Fair. She enjoyed playing some carnival games, meeting some animals, and riding on a ferris wheel (just like Fern in Charlotte's Web!). Oh, and there was the fair train!

Not sure things went as expected from Eric's perspective. His wife (and the primary dinner cook in the family) walked away from the experience a vegetarian!

Vacation car trip entertainment

Vacation!

We had not been vacation since Audrey was a year and a half old so we headed up to Michigan last week for some fun in the sun.  Despite a hot summer thus far, we had absolutely beautiful weather, though the riptides kept the kids and Eric out of Lake Michigan until the day before we were to head home. The highlight for Audrey was definitely heading to the beach to put her toes in the sand and finally get in that great lake.We also made it to several carousels and great restaurants, including Silver Beach Pizza, where they give the kids pizza dough to entertain them while waiting on the food. I imagine she will be talking about that place for some time. We are very blessed to be able to take trips with the kids to get away, even if it wasn't so far from home.

Grand Marina Resort

On our way to dinner

New Buffalo Beach - Lake Michigan

Windmill Island Gardens - Holland, MI

Carousel at Windmill Island Gardens - Holland, MI

Oinks! - New Buffalo, MI

Superman flavor ice cream - Oinks!

Silver Beach Carousel - St. Joseph, MI

Silver Beach Pizza - St. Joseph, MI