Fall Fun at Lewis'

Chicago Sans Kids

...to celebrate a big year for my parents (big birthdays & a big anniversary).  

We did some shopping.

Boys did a Chicago Beer Tour.

Had a couple awesome meals.

Rode the elevator with Al Sharpton, then with members of the Charlotte Hornets.

Bought the kiddos some popcorn.

Can we do that again?

Running of the Bulbs

Wonderful Weekend in the Windy City

We did our annual women's getaway to Chicago, and that means big fun for EVERYONE. The ladies and I had a fabulous time, and my kiddos had a fun filled weekend with Jon. 

Spring Break: WDW14

Double Whammy: Dinosaurs and Legos

The Grand Rapids Public Museum was understandably calling our name, especially the name of a certain five year old.  Special dinosaur and Lego exhibits we sure to be a hit.  We spread the word and were joined by some other family too.  Our kids don't exactly read signs or pause to really soak it in, but it is a really nice museum...even for little ones.  

Christmas with the Fam

Lovely Ladies

These are some of the lovely ladies in my family.  I travel with them at least once a year for a weekend getaway.  This past weekend we did Chicago.  We did lots of shopping, and the trip was of course appropriately timed with the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.  We also did a Food Tour - super fun!

Slowly Sinking Tube

We like to go tubing...slow tubing that is.  Yes, tubing behind a slowly moving boat, and the more the merrier (people and tubes).  We go during no-wake time on our favorite small lake.  Jon took the kids, and just when Tily was loving life going for her first tube ride, Auntie JoJo realized Jon's tube was sinking...really sinking.  You can see it in the pictures if you look closely.
 I was on the boat, so I of course pulled that tube in so fast.  Tily thought it was a great ride, and she threw a fit when I pulled her safely into the boat.  We found at least half the air out of the tube was gone.  And yes, we need a new tube. 

The Raterink Pirates Celebrate Brighton's Fifth Birthday

 

Tulip Time 2013

The tulips were nearly perfect this year (it wasn't Stemfest 2012), and the weather was beautiful for the most part.  That is until Saturday, but we still decided to watch the parade.   It was really cold and wet (it rained off and on).  And we even got back out our winter clothes!  It was 40 degrees when we returned the car, but the kids loved it anyway.