We went to visit Bama and Dabo in Holland, Michigan for Mother's Day weekend, to catch a few Tulip Time activities, and to celebrate Brittany's bridal shower. Claire did very well on the drive, mostly because of her television in the car (she doesn't watch TV anywhere else), but also because we made a few stops at playgrounds along the way (we tagged at least one playground in Indiana for a definite return visit). James had a difficult time in the car much of the way, but he was able to sleep and play too. Good thing there are two screens to the DVD player because it seems that James is getting interested in watching it.
We arrived on Thursday and spent the evenening with GG, Grandpa Huyser, Jeremy, and his daughter Madelynn. Friday morning we took family pictures in dutch costumes at the park, that afternoon we visited the Dutch Market, and that evening ate fairway food downtown and watched Dutch Dancing with Jodi, Elliot, and their daughter Sadie. On Saturday Amanda and Claire went to Brittany's bridal shower while Matt and James spent time with Grandpa Huyser. We all then went to the big saturday Tulip Time parade and afterwards had supper with GG. On Sunday we went to GG's church, went to coffee afterwards, took some naps, then ate supper for a Mother's Day celebration with the Weller family. We left Sunday night and made it to MM and Pop's house in Cleveland, Tennesse in time for breakfast (and another nap!)
James and Grandpa Huyser. James liked being played with by so many new faces!
Maddie is just a little older than Claire; this is already the third time they've met. It was really fun to watch them giggle and play.
I wonder if they remember one another; they're a cute combination.
Grandpa Huyser plays with Claire in her PJs.
Even though Claire was read for bed on time, she got to stay up late playing with Grandpa and GG.
Dabo and Claire watch an accordion player at the Dutch Market. It was interesting to hear Dabo try to explain what an accordion is.
Claire and Sadie enjoyed watching the Dutch Dancing... but they probably enjoyed playing in the street more.
Claire became very skilled at pointing out everyone she saw who was wearing "klompen slippers" (since she's been so accustomed to the word "klompen slippers" it didn't seem necessary to call them "wooden shoes" because the former is still correct). Also, I think it's unfortunate that the dancer in this photo is no longer wearing wooden shoes; the group we were watching broke 3 pairs in one show.
Even after the dancing was over, Claire and Sadie enjoyed playing in the street. Claire is just a little older than Sadie but at this age the gap isn't so noticeable and they're both highly skilled.
Claire and Sadie continued playing in the park. At this age, playing "together" means that they're doing the same thing but somewhat independently and only within a 50 foot radius of one another.
Sadie plays with a stick in the dirt. This appears to be a popular game because Claire was doing the exact same thing just behind her.
GG got along very well with James. I had a lot of cute pictures of these two but since I'm still getting used to my new camera lens the photos are all blurry. Bummer. Now that I think about it, James looks blurry anyway on account of his fuzzy hair.
Bama fed Claire her first corn on the cob. Claire already liked corn, but she apparently LOVES it on the cob. It didn't take her long to learn how and she loved it so much that she gnawed the cob like a dog with a bone until we gave her a new supply.
Bama loves cuddling and tickling James. He giggles pretty well and it gets her into stitches.
Uncle Mike and Aunt Kim came all the way from Howell (2+ hrs) with their children Brevin, Alex, and Ian for Mother's Day. It was a real treat to see them and play with the kids.
Aunt Goober #1 and Little Goober #2 (for those who don't know, James the little Goober)
Claire tried and tried to dribble the basketball. She loved playing the big open space. There were a lot of kids running around (Brevin, Alex, Ian, Jared, Sadie, and Claire) which was fun to watch.
Aunt Goober just loves babies; James gave her a pretty good time....
...and they get along so well that he even convinced her to hold him through an entire nap.
Sadie plays with her dolly a lot like Claire does; she wouldn't go down the slide but she was happy to help give the dolly a ride. There were a lot of great toys at the nursery which was open while we met at GG's church for supper. It was incredibly convenient.
Claire and Bama give each other adorable goodbyes.
On our way home. As Claire approaches the car, we hear 1000 times: "May I watch my TV? I go on a long trip!"
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