Holland

Last Friday Jason had to report to an Air National Guard Base in Battle Creek for a muster for the military, just to evaluate his readiness if he were to be called up for service again (he's not, though, so don't worry!). Since that was on the way to Holland, we all went and enjoyed a little weekend getaway.

While he was doing his muster, the kids and I went to the zoo. The cheetah came right up to the window to check out the kids a few times. We got close and personal with the giraffes, enjoyed the tram ride to Africa, and rode the carousel. Victoria claimed it was the best day of her life. Austin must have thought so too as he was laughing and kicking his legs the whole time.

After picking up Jason, we drove to Holland, which is just east of Lake Michigan (we got to see Africa and Holland in the same day!) The first evening we saw the Windmill Gardens, which has the only authentically Dutch windmill in the US. Aside from the rain, the fact that it was close to closing time, and the fact that Victoria and Karissa got into some plant that gave them an itchy rash (which they got over after some Benedryl), it was very fun.

The next day we went to the tulip gardens, which was supposed to be the highlight of the trip, but it turned out that we missed the peak bloom time by two weeks, so we only got to see a row of tulips that were already wilting, but we will go again another time. We also saw how they make wooden shoes and got to try them on, which the kids loved.

These are usually full of tulips during peak time.

The rest of the day we played at a beach on Lake Michigan where there was a playground, some sand dunes, and a tunnel. We also saw a red lighthouse. It was good to get away for a weekend, even though the kids were all grumpy when we returned!

Our models with a foggy Lake Michigan in the background.