The Wissinks: Wiers Family Vacation (Part 2)

Picking up where I left off....

Monday we headed back down to Grand Rapids for a full day. We started off at Frederik Meijer Gardens. We all really enjoyed it and could have spent much longer there! In addition to amazing art sculptures and beautiful gardens and flowers, they also had many kid friendly things to do!

A mini replica of the sculpture park! The kids loved moving the sculptures and pushing the trams around :)

Josie and Jeremiah enjoyed doing their impression of the "Mad Mom" sculpture. Jeremiah's impression even included some foot stomping (not pictured).... no idea where that came from.

Jeremiah's favorite part, obviously.

We took a tram ride around the sculpture park-- we covered a lot more ground than we would have been able to by walking! Especially with the little people!


A guy laying down.

The famous horse.

We grabbed lunch at Panera across the Beltline (and met Paul and Melissa-- HI!), and then went back to the Gardens for a bit more. We took a short hike to the farm, and then it was time to head out for good!

Looking for frogs and turtles was fun for some people.

Pumping water at the farm with Auntie Abby.

From there we headed over to my alma mater-- Calvin College! My brother had a meeting, and the rest of us checked out the bookstore (always a favorite of mine!) and hung out on the Commons Lawn. The clouds went away and it turned into a pretty nice day!

Future Knight.

J and J tossing the football around with Grandpa!

It just so happened that between GR and Fremont there was a tiny little town called Grant, and they had a train-themed restaurant called The Grant Depot. We knew we needed to stop there for dinner!

Such an angel...

Unfortunately, our sleeping angel awoke at the restaurant and proceeded to throw a HUGE fit about absolutely nothing besides being tired and awakened too soon. WOW is all I can say. 3 year olds are fun!

Fortunately, he eventually calmed down and was able to come into the restaurant to eat and enjoy all the train decor. And afterwards, he even got to play on the train car outside the restaurant!

They even had trains to play with while we waited for our food!

Abby and Neil. Special.

"Choo choo!" J is great with the sound effects!

"Checking" the train.

We finally arrived back at the cottage (or "college" as Jeremiah called it), and threw all 3 kids into the bathtub!


Rub-a-dub-dub!

Tuesday was finally nice enough for us to get out and enjoy the lake! Yay!!! The weather we had this year was certainly a contrast to the heat we had last year!

Jeremiah and Josie had a great time playing in the sand and water!

Adam enjoyed taking the kayak out for a spin.

Retirement agrees with these two!


J even went for a ride in the Kayak, sort of. This was about the extent of it.

Late in the afternoon, we drove down to Grand Haven for a big Waanders (my mom's side) family gathering at the Diekema's! We spent the late afternoon down on the beach.


Matt, Cheryl, Josie, and Evan making the trek down the stairs.

Always digging in the sand!

Abe and Neil took the Sea Doo out!

More digging with cousin Bethany.

Some badminton with Uncle Matt and Evan.

Taking a breather, 1/2 way up the steps!

Some of the Waanders family at the gathering.

My mom and siblings (and spouses).

Wiers fam! (plus Neil, minus Ben)

Wednesday was a day for another train ride! Jeremiah was in his glory. :) This time we took a ride on the Coopersville & Marne Railway in Coopersville, MI (thanks to Cheryl who spotted this on Groupon a few months ago!).