Weird Science

This morning, Daddy took Ava to the Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana where Mr. Potato Head introduced us to scientific concepts. Among other things, we learned about gravity, wind, and earthquakes. Naturally, we also got to play with Mr. Potato Head.

Playgroup Reunion with Evan and Alaina

On our trip to Michigan, Ava got the chance to reconnect with her friends Evan and Alaina who used to live in Irvine. They came up to Manistee to visit us at the lake house and we drove down to Spring Lake to visit them as well.

We spent time burying each other in the sand at the beach, eating cake, visiting the Manistee North Pierhead Lighthouse, and chasing away all the gulls.

In Grand Haven, the kids climbed rocks on the way to and from the Grand Haven Lighthouse and Pier.

After that we headed out to the West Michigan Whitecaps game where the kids had the chance to play catch on the field, eat Dippin' Dots, and run the bases.

Manistee, MI: The Victorian Port City

The heart of our recent vacation was a week with the family (Ava, Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, Auntie Hannah, Uncle Rob, Uncle Charles, and Aunt Carole) at a house in Manistee, right on the shore of Lake Michigan.

We, naturally, spent a lot of time at the house playing on the beach and on the deck . . .

. . . but we also made time to visit downtown Manistee . . .

. . . and we made the short drive to Ludington to climb to the top of the Big Sable Point Lighthouse and to eat ice cream at the world famous Park Dairy/House of Flavors.

Clare, MI: Celebrating and Remembering Great Grandpa Knapp

After a few days in Chicago, we drove to Clare, Michigan to meet up with the rest of our family for a memorial for Austin Knapp, Ava's great grandpa, and to spend time at the log cabin that was the home of Austin's mother Kate Bell. In addition to the memorial service, we spent time hanging out with family, visiting the Amish neighbors down the road, and (when it wasn't raining) roasting marshmallows.

Chicago: That Toddlin' Town

What better way for a toddler to start a vacation than with a couple days in Chicago, the place Fred Fisher calls "that toddlin' town." Despite a delayed flight and just a short time in the city, Ava managed to enjoy many of the sights and sounds that Chicago is known for including . . .

Pizza at Gino's East . . .

A visit to the Field Museum . . .

Playing at the Art Institute's fountains . . .

A cruise down the river . . .

Family fun at Navy Pier . . .



Breakfast at the American Girl Cafe . . .

A carousel ride at the Lincoln Park Zoo . . .

Views of the city from the Willis (Sears) Tower . . .

And cheering for the Sox as they took on the Cubs.