The Burlingame Dairy Dip

It is about a 15 minute walk which is a good way to earn the ice cream and walk it off.






The Dairy Dip is located on 36th and Burlingame. It has been in business since 1977 the same year as I was born. I would put it at the top of the list for reasons to live in our neighborhood. Every year we wait for the sign to read now open. The best Hudsonville Ice cream is served here. On our recent visit Nathan and I shared what he called the Michigan boat- it was a banana split with Michigan Deer Trax, Sleeping Bear Dunes bear claw, Mackinaw Island Fudge. One summer I was determined to see how many flavors I could get through before the season ended. I don't think I got past 6 because I kept choosing what I liked and because we don't eat that much ice cream. The very generous Junior size cone is enough for me and it cost a little over $1- it is about two scoops and always seems like it is bigger than what you call a Junior size. The owners will often be the ones serving you.

Sweeneys

We were able to see and visit with Uncle Greg and Aunt Linda and their family Scott Amy and the kids Megan and Ashley while Nathan's parents were in town visiting.



Garrett had fun throwing Megan and Ashley in the pool

Friends

At our goodbye party- Amaris (neighbor) Jeremiah Betz and Elliot




The Reids
Olivia, Hannah, Zachary and David
Hannah can do some crazy acrobatics on the swing.




David Reid is 5 and 1/2 about foot taller than Elliot. They could be brothers with their big eyes and lashes, and brown wavy hair.








The Goebels -Owen, Max and Addi


Gavyn and Samuel Loxen -our neighbors

Emma and Elyse Joslin- the kids put on a concert and acted out a play for the grown ups.




Krystal and Andrew Thomas

The Gardens and Chihuly

The Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids is a real treasure. We had annual passes for two years and have spent hours of fun there. We were able to catch two great exhibits at once when we visited. The annual butterfly exhibit which is featured in the conservatory; the kids spend the entire time trying to get a butterfly to land on them. The glass sculptures of Dale Chihuly were back. I really enjoy what he does and would one day love to own one of his pieces. His work was featured in every part of the park.













From our first walk through the arid garden with the kids back in the stroller days Nathan began the game of pretending like he was going to sit on one of the cacti. He would get the kids going- saying Oh I am so tired and act like he was going to sit down they would shout no no!! They eventually began doing it too.















The children's garden is really what makes the place worth it for us. There is a giant tree house where you can have a tea party, log cabin with old fashion games, a story time garden where you can hear stories or just play with the animal puppets, a sand area where you can excavate for fossils. A water area where there little canals are made into the shapes and geographically correct position of the great lakes that are around Michigan.

This American Life

What is a good cure for concrete Jungle fever?

A fun two-tracking ATV ride given by Uncle Richard (Dick). We travelled through the woods until we reached the river, and roasting Marshmallows in Dad's (grandpa's) new fire pit. The crisp cool air, tranquil country noises and sights, it was refreshing.