a long michigan visit

mother's day weekend was spent with some pretty awesome mothers, in some pretty awesome weather, in some pretty awesome west michigan locations. the whole staple family came together (we LOVE it when that happens) to cheer for one another at the grand rapids riverbank run, and to celebrate mother's days together.

we took a ton of pictures, so now you can feel like you were there with us. i know, i know. you're welcome.

no nighttime trip is complete without a stop at an illinois tollway oasis for some run around time, a little sbarro (or panda express), and a pajama change. here are our two pajama clad crazies, taking full advantage of an empty oasis on I-290.

our little staple family snuck in a visit to holland, michigan, for tulip time, including a visit to a wooden shoe factory, a tulip farm, a microbrew (new holland brewing company, to be exact), and a wild run down holland's main street a few hours before the parade started.

we saw some serious dutchy stuff in holland. it was cool and drizzly, but we perservered.

blond kids? check. tulips? check.  windmills? check. 

ramona took this picture. not bad.


later, our way to get mac and cheese (for the smaller staples) and craft brew and salads (for the larger staples). new holland brewing company has GOOD beer, and good food.

the next day, team staple family runners descended on downtown grand rapids to run and cheer. we had a runner in every event, and supporters at every finish. it was so much fun.

here was my view from the start of the 10k. it's not obvious, but it was packed. this seemed like a pretty huge event, and i think the 10k was the smallest start crowd of the 3 events.


the 5k start, featuring a few nieces and a fast brother in law:


and some successful 5k finishers giving some tips and pep talks to our 25k runner before his race.

a few finishers, hanging out at the michelob ultra party under the calder (come on riverbank run....who really wants a 90 calorie beer at 8:30 in the morning? gross). 

later, 2 tiny crazy people in swim suits hit the beach, unswayed by the chilly wind. they're nuts.

and they LOVE their cousins.

the next day was mother's day. it was warm, sunny, and perfect. we went back to the beach, and this time, everyone put at least a toe in the water.

happy mother's day to all the moms out there (especially my own, who is a hardworking champion of a mother who has taught me so much, and whose grace and strength show me that i still have so much to learn).