Alma Family. . .and Biological Family. . .

Kay and I met at Alma friday night and relived our Alma days. . .well, at least we stayed on campus for a night! Here, we jockey for room getting ready in the morning.


All of campus is beautiful, but the chapel is a focal point.


Some of the great Alma people. . .Hilary ('07 - congrats!), me, Dr. John Davis, Kay, Dr. Charlie Gray.


On to Hudsonville for a family get-together. . .mom and dad's return from Texas (they claim that they brought the beautiful weather with them) and Renee's birthday.

Here, a pre-church cuddle and photo opp. on the stairs with Kelsy and Kayla:


Something about church makes dad and Kevin want to bond over head-shaving. . .last time was after Renee and Darrin's wedding.

Beach excursion. . .

Amy's first visit to Caseville was 75 and sunny. I'm sure it won't be the last!


My nephew Tyler and his friend Eric on the pier. They wanted to walk down on the rocks that hold the pier up. Even though we have 20 years on them, we did. Sometimes you've just got to let go. . .




Tyler's looking larger-than-life at 13 and a half. He has his first track meet today, and is following in my footsteps by running hurdles. How cool is that?


Back at our beach, Amy and I went on my 3 mile walking route and found these beautiful. . .zebra mussels?



As the sun set. . .I'm looking relaxed, but a bit pink.


Amy's self-portrait at the end of the day. Yep, I'm sure she'll be back!

Getting Loony

Saturday was my iniation to Looniness. . .

I competed in the Loon Pennant Race in the morning - and won the 5k walk(!), and then attended the FIRST WINNING HOME GAME in Dow Diamond Saturday night. It's a great thing to have a minor league team in town!


The beautiful new Dow Diamond.

Amy gazing in wonder at the stadium (Ok, just staring because she knew I was taking a picture and didn't want to look).

Getting the field ready. . .great work, guys!


Other ways of getting ready. . .


It's a great place for everyone, even if you don't want to watch the game.


People-watching, and getting surreptitious photos, is also fun.


Some photo-taking is harder to camoflage than others. . .

San Antonio Day 3: Easter

Easter Mass at the San Fernando Cathedral. I tried to take the first picture furtively as mass was starting. . .





Walking around the Riverwalk all afternoon, Kay and I stumbled upon La Villita, the artists market. . .


. . .a group of Andean musicians. . .


. . .and even some shamrocks - did you know they're purplish?


Dinner at Landry's Seafood - the dessert was to die for: ice cream rolled up in a crepe and topped with bananas, chocolate and caramel.


Then, back to the hotel to pack. And blog. Hope you had a great week too!

San Antonio Day 2: Saturday surprise. . .

Saturday, April 7 in San Antonio, Texas: 39 degrees and rainy? You bet! Actually, we did see it hit 40 at one point during our day. . .record temps while we were here. . .yippee?

We started out the morning with - get this - waffles shaped like the state of texas. Our hotel (and it's continental breakfast) is AWESOME!

Then out into the drizzle and to the market. I LOVED the colors in the first store - you may see my house looking like this soon! Hopefully this lady won't be visiting, though!




For lunch we trekked up to the north side of town at the "Twin Sisters" Cafe. Had to do it!



Mission Concepcion - another beautiful mission, but, given the rain, we didn't stay long!








The line for the Tower of the America's was cold. Being at the top of the tower didn't thrill me either. I like the picture anyway.




After a couple hour nap/reading session back at the hotel, we went out to Mi Tierra for dinner. The mariachi's were good, but the cute waiter was even better!

San Antonio - Day 1

The day began with a drive to San Antonio to meet Kay at the airport. She got in just after 11 a.m., so we left Mission at 6:37. . .

After picking Kay up, we checked into our hotel and then walked to the Alamo. The gardens around were absolutely beautiful. They really didn't want us walking on the grass. . .and even on the sidewalks we got wet a few times!




Afterwards, we bought day bus passes, and road up to the Mission San Jose. The bus trip was quite a learning experience for all of us.

Mission San Jose - Gorgeous!





Mom and dad were pretty tired after all the walking, so the bus stop was a quick nap for dad!


The return trip was much easier. We walked up to the Riverwalk, and had to stop along the way for a picture at the Coyote Ugly bar.

Our dinner was PHENOMENAL at the Zuni Grill (on the water). The drink was pretty potent though. . .I've never been that tipsy in my life. I've always wanted to have a blue drink, but I may never have to have one again! The sea bass with artichokes was incredible, as was the mango sorbet.







After that. . .we were all pretty tired. We walked part of the Riverwalk loop, then back to our hotel to relax and - watch the Sound of Music, which is a family favorite!

Texas Day 3: the end of the good weather?

More fun in Texas. . .I've had to get lots of pool time in because it's supposed to go down to 41 and even 39 (!) overnight in San Antonio over the next few nights...

You know how people talk about "multiplying like rabbits?" Hmmm. I wonder what's in those mini-palm trees. . .


Mom and I started the morning out with breakfast at my favorite mexican restaurant just down the road.


After volunteering at the school again, we hit a new french restaurant around the corner - I doubt that mom will ever get dad there!


This afternoon we stopped at Mission's Hike and Bike trail - it's 5 miles long, but mom and dad didn't want to walk very far. Here's what I was able to shoot. . .no salamanders, those little guys were way too quick for me (and they also blend in to the scenery so I figured a picture was a waste of time!). . .



This is a a side trail off the main paved path. Doesn't it make you want to go check it out?? Covered natural paths like that are so intriguing!

Tonight we went to Holy Thursday mass. The church my parents attend is so beautiful!


One thing my dad likes a lot about the church is the dog. Yep. The dog. The priest's dog comes in for mass as well, he trots right up the center aisle and sits up with the priest during the service. Here, he waits patiently after mass as "apostles" give out pan (bread)on the steps.