John Ball Zoo

The boys and I went up to Grand Rapids on Thursday to visit the John Ball Park Zoo. We had a lot of fun riding the funicular, feeding the birds, and checking out the new Tiger exhibit. All the animals were very active!

Riding the Funicular

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Tigers

Bike Rider!

Visit from Grann

William has been asking to make our own edible arrangement since he received one for Kindergarten graduation. We decided the perfect time was when Grann came to visit. We had a lot of fun putting it together... and even more fun eating it! The boys also baked and decorated a birthday cake for Grann and took her geocaching while she was here.

Back to School

William and I went to Grand Rapids for our annual back to school lunch and shopping trip. We picked up the last few items on his school supply list and had lunch at Red Robin (three years running!). Then we walked around the mall and picked up a few shirts and sweatshirts for back to school.

Crossword puzzle at lunch

Showing off his new fleece lined sweatshirt

Pure Michigan

We spent a wonderful "Pure Michigan" weekend up at the Hofmeyer's cottage. We got into town on Thursday evening, and had enough time to walk down to the lake and explore a little. On Friday morning, we enjoyed breakfast and coffee on the porch and then went out kayaking. When we got back, we went to a park with a playground and also found a geocache. Then we had lunch at Bud's and played a quick round of mini golf. After we got back to the cottage, we took the fishing boat out for a little spin and ended the evening with Pizza in Traverse City. 

On Saturday, we went to Sleeping Bear Dunes in the morning and did part of the dune climb. Then we drove through the scenic drive quickly to stop at the dune overlook. Then we went to the Platte River beach to spend the afternoon. It was a very cool spot where the Platte River emptied into Lake Michigan. The river water was so warm and shallow and the boys spent a lot of time floating with the current. We will definitely be going back there next year and may actually do one of the tubing trips down the river. After the beach, we stopped at Moomer's for ice cream and finished the evening with hot dogs by the campfire. 

On Sunday morning, Phil took the boys out on the boat one last time. On our way home, we stopped at "Mr. Paul's" house for his annual pool party with some of his former Plante Moran employees and their families.

Checking out Duck Lake

Breakfast on the Porch

Ready for Kayaking

Mini Golf

Boat ride!

Captain Will

Captain Alex

Sparklers

Climbing the Dunes

Platte River Beach

Moomer's

Pool Party at Mr. Paul's

Captain Alex

Captain Will

Adventures in Geocaching

On Tuesday evening, we were invited to try geocaching with Parker and Mrs. Grindall. We went over to Al Sabo Nature Preserve and went treasure hunting. We found one pretty quickly near the entrance and then ventured in to the park on the hunt of another one. Unfortunately, we did not find that cache. We did, however, find an underground bee hive. William ended up with one sting, Alex got three, and Mrs. Grindall got 3. But that didn't stop us! The next day we went out in the afternoon and found three: at the church across the street, at Texas Park, and one in Applegate. Then Phil and Will walked down to the Farmer's Market after dinner and found two more. They asked to go out again today! It is a fun activity and gives a little purpose to our walks. We hope to do some hunting up north this weekend!

Treasures!

Success at Southridge!

Texas Park - Take it to Court

A micro cache hidden on the windmill

Near the Farmer's Market

Behind Ace Hardware

Along Moorsbridge Road