JW Marriott

Last year I took this picture.

DJ, without telling me, submitted it into a photography contest through the West Michigan Tourist Association.  We won.  He called me from work, ecstatic, because we won a one night stay at the JW Marriott in downtown GR.  Complete with a couples massage, and a gift card to Six.One.Six.  While we both were excited, at the time, High Maintenance Baby Ellary was only 4 months old.  She was still waking up every hour at night, and I couldn't get her to take a bottle.  Meaning, there was no way we could leave her.  We figured we would wait a few months, maybe we could use it for our anniversary in December.  Unfortunately, her sleeping got worse before it got better.  We were exhausted, and our gift certificate got tucked away in the hutch, and we sort of forgot about it.  We decided we would try to use it for our 5th Anniversary this December.  When we realized it would expire in August, if we didn't use it, we called to have it extended, but they wouldn't let us.  Part of me figured we would just lose it-there was no way I could leave Ellary for more than an hour.  Then, our sweet girl decided to became a little more independent.  She still definitely needs Mama at night, but we could leave her with Nana all afternoon, then Nana could bring the kiddos down town at night.  

DJ and I haven't gone out, just us, since before Karson was born.  We left after the kids went down for their naps, and headed downtown.  We checked in, went to TGI Friday's for a drink and some spinach dip, and took a walk along the river.   We had scheduled massages, and when we were waiting DJ started talking. I shushed him...it was quiet...I was enjoying it!  After our massage (amazing) we ordered a pizza and took it to Rosa Parks Circle.  

Nana dropped off our kiddos after dinner, and I was ready for them to join us!  I loved the few hours of quiet, but I missed my babies!  We took them swimming...they reminded us they are complete opposites.

Karson swam for a few minutes, got cold, and snuggled in a towel.

Ellary swam, and swam, and swam, and swam until she was blue and shivering.  

She cried when we made her get out.

One of my favorite moments from the trip was when the kids were eating left over pizza, that we had ripped into small pieces, off the ottoman, with a towel over it.  ...at the JW Marriott.  Nice

The view of the sunset from our room.

While the kids were eating their pizza, they saw the horse & carriages walking along the bridge.  They started jumping up and down and screeching with excitement.  We decided to get them dressed up again, and take them for a walk, in Down Town Grand Rapids, at 10:00 at night.  When we walked into the lobby, there was a band playing, and people all over with drinks.  We walked out of the elevator with our massive stroller, and our 1 and 3 year old started dancing and waving at everyone.  Priceless!  Needless to say, they were the only kids out and about, but it was a fun memory, and the kids loved every second of it! We walked around looking for the horses for a long time.  

"Look Mommy, its the white horse.  Look, Baby Ella, its the brown horse.  Mommy, look look!!" 

We knew breakfast wouldn't use up all of our gift card money, so we ordered room service when we got back to our room.  Fresh chocolate chip cookies with chocolate milk.

The next morning, everyone was a little sleepy...

...and a little disappointed that the horses weren't on the bridge again. :)

We all got ready, and went out for an amazing breakfast.  So, so, so, so good! So much so that I will be asking for breakfast there for Mother's Day, or my birthday next year...or sooner.  So so good!

Before we left, we took a walk down town to get some pictures of the kids....

It was a fun night away!!