Winter in Grand Haven

 

Ice on the old Coast Guard Station 
 

The view from above 

It's only in the teens out there today but the shine is shining and the water was beautiful where there was open water. We kept being drawn back to the lake like we are on summer days.

We did a little breakfast downtown and then some errands and play outside with Hayley and Dad shoveling the driveway. We tried the new Mexican place in town, Rios, for lunch and it was very good. Jeff had the Junior Burrito and couldn't finish it and almost fell out of his chair when he saw the full size version delivered to a neighboring table!

Austin

Many a day we hear Hayley bark and investigate why she is sounding the alarm only to find Austin outside our door.


Austin is a friendly guy, just Hayley's age and his family doesn't seem to care about him wandering so he makes his way 3/4 of a mile across the neighborhood to our house to play. He knows where the cookies are!

Grosse Pointe Farms Winterfest

Quick trip to visit Grammy was on call for the 2nd weekend in January.

 

Ice carving

 

Free hot dogs! 

 

Coney's and hot chocolate

 

More ice carving

 

Loved the banners by the school.

We hit all of the favorites: Coney Island with cousins Romey and Emma, Chinese, Farms Pier, Winterfest, movies, and visit with Grammy.

We'll catch the Red Wings and the Tap Room next time around.

SNOW!!

 

JPK

 

Neighbor Ben has his snow plowed into a pile and let the boys play on it!

 

  

Happy girl! 

This winter has been nothing compared to the 140 inches of snow we got last year but the boys have had fun anyway. Most of the neighbors have beautiful, sparkling white lawns. Ours? Looks like there has been a John Deere tractor pull each day in it. Between boys and dog and all it's a mess but they sure have fun.

Happy 8th Birthday Hayley dog!

As per tradition, we had a birthday celebration complete with cupcakes for boy and dog alike. We did let Hayley skip the birthday hat this year, she hates them.

New Year's Eve

We had a low key NYE in Cincy. Matthew was sick and feeling horrible. The rest of us played games and hung out. MA's neighbor brought all of us delicious chocolate mousse...yummm! Ella and Jonathan crashed about 10pm, Lainey and Katy made it to midnight with the rest of us.

 

Hayley supervising Katy on the computer

 

Appetizers and fondue were had by all, not sure what JPK was pouting about

 

Uno Attack!

 

Stylin' Hayley

 

Ella dancing with Daddy

 

Daddy's girl

Doug and Jeff stayed home with him and watched football on New Year's day while MA and I took the rest of the kids to the movies.