More Michigan Adventures

The remainder of our trip to Michigan was spent with my family—we saw the Shaffers, Grandpa and Grandma J., and Grandma and Grandpa P. And of course, we had one last birthday celebration for both Carter and Elsa.

We spent Sunday (Carter's actual birthday) at the Michigan Adventure amusement park in the Muskegon area. There were lots of things for the kids to do there, even the little girls.

Here's Claire living dangerously on one of the motorcycles.

The other three kids stuck with a car.

Elsa and Grandpa J. take a spin in the bumper cars.

Riding the choo choo train.

Claire drives a motor boat.

All of the bigger kids (including Ellen, Dave, me, Dad, and in one case, Bob), went on a couple of roller coasters, and as soon as we did, guess who started asking when it was her turn to go on a coaster? And guess who continued asking about it approximately every 2 minutes for the entire rest of the day? Claire. The child who hates swings. Was dying to go on a roller coaster. Hmmm.

But amazingly enough, she was tall enough for one of the roller coasters (well, the height requirement was 36", and she's about 35", but the attendant let her through). So she got to go on this littlest-kid coaster with Grandpa J., Carter, and Elsa. She was so excited to get her chance!

Unfortunately this one falls under the "be careful what you wish for" heading. It sounded like a great idea on paper, but once the coaster actually started moving, she wasn't so crazy about it. (Click to make the photo bigger and see her adorable frowny face in better detail!)

We also spent an hour or two at the waterpark, where Elsa once again showed her newfound bravery by going down a relatively large water slide, about 50 times in a row.

Splashing from the slide into the pool.

Claire enjoying the pool with Grandma J.

Mia trying to warm up after the pool.

We had quite a day at Michigan Adventure! It's a fun place and I hope we'll be able to go back next summer.

After the amusement park we stopped at Pizza Hut for birthday dinner and presents.

The kids got scooters! Great present, Grandpa J.!

And we got plenty of time to try them out the next day on Ellen's driveway. Elsa did remarkably well with hers and really loves it.

It was another fun trip to see the Shaffers. I love that Elsa and Carter have such a conveniently timed birthday for us to celebrate it all together. : ) And seriously, they're five now! It's so hard to believe! It feels like just yesterday that I was lying on my couch on bedrest (my last day of it, as it would turn out), and Ellen called to say that she was in the hospital.

The girls really miss Carter and Mia. Two weeks later, Claire still says, "I miss Carter," any time his name comes up. We miss all of you guys!