July marked a new beginning for Jeff after joining the local consulting firm DWH Corporation as a Senior Director. In June he officially stepped down as Managing Partner and Director at ProLegal and sold his shares in the company. DWH specializes in providing assessments for companies experiencing rapid growth or a transition event such the sale of company, turnaround & restructuring, or succession within a family business. Jeff will be working on internal financial strategy and as a part of their assessment teams.
In other news… and a lot more of the same we’ve been writing about all summer long… golf! Last month we booked an overnight trip with Jeff’s parents to Arcadia Bluffs. It was a past due Father’s Day present that turned into a couples getaway. The golf course is perched along the shore of Lake Michigan and it was gorgeous! Highlights included the incredible views, the bagpipe performance atop the hillside as we came down hole 18 and the wonderful meal at the clubhouse afterwards. On the way home the next morning we made a bit of a road trip out of it stopping in Manistee, Ludington and Pentwater for some shopping, coffee and a stroll down the boardwalk.
That same weekend we checked out Movies on Monroe in downtown with the kids and some friends. Hotel Transylvania 3 was showing which no one in the group had seen before. We grabbed dinner at the food trucks there, played some free games with the kids and enjoyed beverages from our coolers which is totally allowed at this event. A good time was had by all.
First of the month we took our annual family trip to the U.P. and had a great time. This year we also tent camped two nights in Tahquamenon Falls with friends before heading to my parents place in Ontonagon. You can read more about that trip here.
Last weekend we partied like rock stars both at the brand new Broad Leaf Brewery and again the following night at Meijer Gardens - both nights enjoying the sights and sounds of the band Foreigner! On Saturday we got a peek at the newly opened Broad Leaf and a private acoustic concert by two of the band members. And on Sunday evening we were at the Meijer Gardens amphitheater rocking out to all their classics: Feels Like the First Time, Hot Blooded, Dirty White Boy, Juke Box Hero, I Wanna Know What Love Is, Cold As Ice… and the list goes on!
Some other ground we’ve covered in the last couple weeks include: Grandparents Day at Meijer Gardens with Jeff’s folks - the kids had a ball! We also did a couples 9 hole golf outing at Watermark with friends - my golf partner Jamie, her husband Mark, Jeff and myself made a great team and came in second with our score of 34. Despite being the first place losers, we had a fabulous time! We’ve also been taking lots of walks around the neighborhood including trips to Wilcox Park. Natalie has mastered the ‘spider web’ which is new this year. And last month I joined some of my Steelcase co-workers on the sand volleyball court for our annual butt kicking. We were terrible and no one cared!
We’re in the home stretch of summer with only 2 weeks until Labor Day weekend. Natalie heads back to school that following week and before we know it, we’ll all be planning fall family photos and Halloween costumes! I can smell the warm apple cider already. Soak it up friends!
ON DECK: What’s coming up on the calendar…
This weekend I’m heading out of town with girlfriends and you may find Jeff downtown with the kids at the GRand Jazz Festival. Music, food and face painting!
Tuesday, August 20th at Meijer Gardens you’ll find the Grand Rapids Ballet performing on stage. Free to members!
Friday, August 23rd is another Movies on Monroe where Space Jam is showing. If the weather is nice it’s a great way to spend the night with the family.
The Hudsonville Community Fair is from August 19th to the 24th. We usually make a stop with friends from the area to check out the rides, eat some carnival food see the animals.
POSTSCRIPT: Stuff worth mentioning…
Kingfisher that took the place of the old Marie Catribs is now open and it’s great! Check them out for breakfast, brunch & lunch! Deli coming soon.