Days 20 & 21--Grand Rapids and the De Wits!

We left Princeton to get to our easternmost destination of Grand Rapids, Michigan to hang out with our good friend Khara and Stephen and their two boys, Jude and Laz.  We lost an hour due to the time change and got in around 2:30 pm.  It was a beautiful, sunny afternoon.

Stephen and Khara took us for a walk around their neighborhood and we stopped at the park and picked up food to cook for dinner at their local produce market.  Laz was wondering who was the lovely girl next to him in the stroller.

 Jude showed us his climbing abilities.

 Aurelia went down the big slide with daddy.

 Jude played fetch with a doggy at the park.

The rest of the day was spent chatting while we chopped up veggies, steak, and chicken; marinated everything; made skewers; and grilled them.  We ate alot and sat around the fire pit in the back yard until almost 2 in the morning.  You're going to have to take our word for it--munching on the delicious grilled food all night long prevented us from having clean fingers with which to take pictures.

 The next day was Happy Dutch Day as we went around Holland, Michigan.  Here we are at De Boer's bakery to get some almond patties and some other cookies.

 Phil fulfilled a lifelong dream of jumping into one of the great lakes.

 Laz loves the camera...

Jude was captured by the beach machinery, which actually had the name of "beachcleaner" on the side of it.

 Here is downtown Holland.  We ate and had some drinks at the New Holland Brewing Company, where they also distill some whiskeys, vodkas, rums, and a gin.

 Jude found his inner rhythm,

 ...and then needed a nap.

 The kiddies had a bath,

 then jumped on the bed!  Aurelia wasn't too sure about the boys...

Aunty Khara protected her from being trampled and also shielded her from the evil spirits that were floating around.