Our Michigan Trip

Last week, Annika and I flew up to Michigan and spent a week with my mom.  We haven't been up to Zeeland since my dad went into the nursing home in January, so it was time for us to see for ourselves how he was doing.  Everyone has done a great job keeping us in the loop about his condition, but it's always good to see things for yourself.  I am very thankful that there is a good facility close to my mom that takes such good care of him, and although he has deteriorated quickly, it was good to see him.  Unfortunately, Lee wasn't able to come with us because he is nearing the end of the school year, but he will be heading up North next month for some baseball games.  Hopefully his travel plans will allow him to stop for a day or two at my mom's and see for himself how things are.

Annika and I did have a lot of fun on this trip, because we planned it during Tulip Time.  I really think that Tulip Time is something that a lot of locals take for granted, but coming back after not being there for 10+ years, it was a lot of fun.  We saw the Kinderparade - and cheered when my niece Taylor walked by wearing MY dutch costume!  I'm still looking for pictures of me wearing it so that we can compare, and when I find them I'll post them!  We ate our fair share of junk food, met up with some friends from high school, and I got a night out without Annika to catch up with college roommates.  My mom, Annika and I enjoyed the great weather and spent a morning at the Meijer Gardens, and we also had the customary dinner at Fricano's Too with the whole family (minus Brian, Rachel and Brad - all at school and Dad, so not really the whole family at all, I guess).

Over all, it was a great trip.  I'm glad to be home, and have now sworn that I will NEVER AGAIN fly by myself with a 20-month-old child, but we survived.  I want to apologize again to anyone on the flights that were privy to her strong lungs and hard kicks to the back of their seats.  :)  

I've uploaded most of the pictures from our trip to the May 2009 album, so check them out here!