Backyard happenings…
This afternoon Kelly and I were sitting in our family room and out of my periphery I noticed some movement in the back yard. A couple fawns were slowly walking across our back yard, pretty cool! We’re enjoying being back in Sparta.
Chicago
A couple pictures from our weekend in Chicago with the Fullers.
skyline from navy pier
Mackinaw ‘10
Another year, another trip to Mackinaw City with the Taylors. Saturday we spent the day checking out Tahquamenon Falls and going to Oswald’s Bear Ranch. Kelly had heard from a co-worker about Oswald’s so we had to check it out. Turns out we arrived a week before they actually opened but the owner still let us look at the bears and also hold a bear cub that had been born in January. None of us had been that up close and personal with a bear before which made for some fun pictures and a great experience.
About as close to the bear as Kelly felt comfortable.
Yep, he was gnawing on my fingers.
Jo had a firm grasp of the little guy.
Ben and the bear getting cozy.
Tahquamenon Falls.
Tahquamenon Falls.
U.P. wildlife.
First time…
Recently I was asked to write something up for West Michigan Allstar. The article I was asked to write was an observation of a basketball game between Wayland and East Grand Rapids. If you would like to check out the article a link is below.
GR skyline
We’ve been slow to update our blog this summer so I’m trying to make up for lost time. I’ll be posting some pics taken throughout the summer. Hope you like.
Here are some pics taken from our roof deck at night of the GR skyline.
Grand Haven Pier
Kelly and I made the trip out to Grand Haven and took a few pictures while out there. Winds were heavy making for some big waves in the big lake.
ArtPrize 2009
ArtPrize is underway in Grand Rapids right now and is awesome. Kelly and I have enjoyed walking downtown a number of times now to check out ArtPrize installations around the city. Good thing for us is there are many installations we haven’t seen and still time to see them. Below are a couple of the 1200+ art installations in the city – more pics to come.
Rob Bliss’ entry, 100,000 airplanes and melodies over Monroe
The Blue Bridge in GR with the giant table and chairs set on top of it.
The lawn in front of the Gerald R. Ford museum.
The Grand Dance by David Lubbers
One of Kelly’s favorites – The Grand Dance by David Lubbers
Nessie in the Grand River
One of the many art installations at the B.O.B.
smoked pork
Last weekend Mike and I made our way up to Sparta Friday night to prep for an all day Saturday smoke. Friday we picked up two 7-8 lb. Boston Butt’s, made the dry rub and the BBQ sauce. Saturday morning the alarm went off at 5am and it was time to start the fire. At 5:45am the meat went on the grate with the smell of charcoal, hickory wood, and rub filling the air. All day we tended the heat and watched the meat grow more and more mouthwatering! 7:15pm came along and the temp was perfect to remove the meat from the heat. The day was terrific as family and friends hung out, played lawn games, and listened to music. The meat turned out fantastic, can’t wait for our next meat smoke…maybe ribs and/or chicken next time!
Props to Southchild Blog where Mike found the recipe for the rub and sauce.
Waking up at 5am on a Saturday was tough but well worth it!
13 hours later the pork was done.
It was so juicy and smelled great.
My favorite picture, wish I had some more. Time to smoke some more pork!
memorial day hoops 2009
Last Monday Paul and I took first place in the annual Tuinstra basketball tournament. After dropping the first game of the tournament, we had a tough road to the championship match against the same team who beat us, Troy and Jim. After a hard fought win against Troy and Jim in the first game we had to turn around and play them again. Paul and I came out on top, what fun!
summertimearoundthecorner
So many things come to mind with summer right around the corner – now is the time to anticipate!
I think of family and friends.
I think of backyard football games.
And I think of food made on the grill.
Bring on the summer!