Amway Grand

We never go anywhere during spring break. This year we decided to pretend we are rich and spend the weekend at the Amway Grand in Grand Rapids. All I can say is AWESOME. We had an awesome room on the 26th floor and ate dinner at their signature restaurant The 1913 Room.

The meal was out of this world. It was a 5 course meal. When our waiter, Tim, brought each course out he wore white gloves-very classy. The reason we picked this restaurant was to make up for the Valentine's day dress malfunction. Yes I did wear the dress, and yes it did look fabulous. I wanted to take the camera to dinner, but Dan said that rich people didn't do things like that. Now that the night is over, we regret not taking the camera. It was definately a night to remember.

Spring football

I can't believe it's that time of year already. Nate started spring football last week. They get 15 days in pads. Living local, we are able to go and watch some of the practices. Both Dan and I are amazed how big Nate looks. In the past he has always been the smallest linebacker out there. Even though he has only put on a few pounds since last season, he is noticeably more physically mature than years past. He is currently penciled in as the starting long snapper, and he is battling it out with another guy for the starting Will linebacker position. The other guy is a bit faster than Nate, but Nate is a bit stronger. Time will tell how that plays out.

Ask and you shall receive

A few weeks ago I posted how much I love tulips, yet have never received any. The other day I came home from work and found a delivery of tulips on my table. Needless to day I was pleasantly surprised. I guess asking for things works; maybe next time I should ask for a Caribbean vacation :)

N8's tattoo

Nate was home for spring break a couple of weeks ago. Instead of going someplace warm, he decided to spend his money on a tattoo. He got it on his tight shoulder blade. It is the fire department crest with his grandfather's engine house, squad and number. It looks so good Matt is thinking about getting the same one. Dan even likes it, although he doesn't like the pain associated with getting inked.

Let's go fly a kite

Sunday it was such a beautiful day, Dan and I decided to take a drive. We packed a picnic and started off. We ended up at Warren Dunes along the Lake Michigan shoreline. We ate our picnic, and then went and flew a kite. I can't tell you when the last time we did that.



I will say that the kites today are very different from the kites when we were kids. Everything is included, including the tail. I remember when we would have to take some of Dad's old t-shirts and cut them into strips to make the tail. Kids today sure do have it easy.

I just thought of this

I'm sitting here wishing it was spring, when it hit me. My favorite flowers are tulips, a definate spring time favorite. Yet, no one has ever sent me tulips. Huh, I just needed to say that.

Lift-a-thon

Sunday afternoon Hillsdale College Football Team had their annual lift-a-thon. Dan and I went to watch. Nate ended up lifting 345 lbs which tied his personal best.



The athletes are broken down by weight class. Of course the large guys go last. Nate's friend, Mark, was competing with another guy for all the marbles. Mark ended up lifting 420 while Jared ended up lifting 425-breaking his record from last year.

Spring Break/Mid-winter Break

Matt is on Spring Break this week, and Dan and I had Friday off for a mid-winter break. Matt wanted to experience an authentic Irish bar, so we took him to The Old Shillelagh in Downtown Detroit.

It was a great day. The weather was wonderful - no need for a jacket. We started the day by parking in the casino parking structure. As we walked through the casino, Matt informed us that this was his first time in a casino. He played a couple slots, experiencing the thrill of losing.

After that we walked up and down the streets of Greek Town. We stopped in a bakery and sampled some of the sweet treats.

We then went to the bar. It was fairly early so we just had a couple drinks. After that we hopped the People Mover and went to the RenCen. Surprisingly this was the first time I ever rode the people mover. We walked around the RenCen for a while - it is totally different from when I worked downtown.

At 5:00 we boarded the elevator to get to the top of the building. As we were waiting for the elevator to come down, Matt made the comment - I don't mind riding elevators, but I think it would freak me out if it was one of those glass ones that you could see out of. Little did he know that's exactly what it was.

When we got to the 72nd floor we had a few drinks in the bar and enjoyed the view. Went back to the Old Shillelagh for dinner. Our plan was to stay and listen to an Irish band play - but they didn't start playing until 9:30, and that was way too late for Dan and I.

Now that Matt knows where the bar is he can go back with is friends to enjoy that.

It was a great day!!