Michigan, Part 1

I know I told you we crammed a lot of activities into our short 5 1/2 day trip to Michigan but I don't think you realize just how much we managed to accomplish.  Honestly, I didn't really sleep the entire time we were there and I am not sure how I made it, but I did and I have a gaggle-- yep, GAGGLE of photos to prove it.  I know I told you all that I got my newest lens and was just dying to try it out.  I talked my parents into posing for me as these are the first shots I took with the new gear.  The lens is amazing but takes some getting  use to-- I found that focusing for me was a little tricky and I am still figuring out how to get the image to be just what I am picturing in my head.  After this mini photo session, of course the next item on the agenda was food!  My parents had never tried P.F. Changs so we had a delicious lunch and then came back and headed to church. Later that evening I got to play around even more with my camera in the field across the street and get some pretty dusk shots.  Our first day was more than full of activity but it was so nice to be able to visit and catch up with my family.  Now, I will quit talking and leave your with some of my favorites.  (Obviously I took hundreds of pictures so the "some" are actual quite a lot!)

aren't my parents great little models?!

husband, looking all fresh to death from the plane ride. HA

My husband and I have had P.F. Changs before in Colorado Springs and this was our second time eating here.  Last time I remember really loving it, so I was exited to try out this new location in Grand Rapids near Knapp Corner.  We went for lunch, and were seated right away.  We decided to start the meal with spring rolls and they were delicious as I figured they would be.  They weren't greasy at all, just light, flaky, crunchy and yum.  

 I decided to try the almond & cashew chicken.  I wanted to try something that you could get at a food court, or other "chinese" restaurant to see the difference.  It didn't even compare and far surpassed similar food in freshness and flavor.  The sauce wasn't too heavy and the veggies were fresh and crisp.  I loved the brown rice because it was perfectly cooked--which sometimes is hard to find at restaurants. Husband tried the sweet & sour chicken and loved his dish as well.  The only gripe I had was on presentation, it looked like they had sloshed the dishes all around on the way out of the kitchen and it looked really sloppy.  My dad had to wait an extra 10 minutes or so on his dish, and it would have been nice to have all the food delivered at the same time.

ooh!  I am alert!  I am alert!  :) 

Overall, P.F. Changs is a really phenomenal alternative if you are craving that really-bad-for-you food court chinese.  Even my husband's sweet & sour was breaded really lightly so you get the fried food but with significantly less calories.  There was also a slew of gluten free options for those with special diet needs which is really nice.  My mom commented that the egg drop soup was slightly "greasy" to her-- you could see the fat beading all over which was a little off-putting.  Be prepared to spend slightly more at this restaurant-- but you are getting quality and much healthier ingredients so I think its worth it.  The service was okay-- again, would have been nice to receive our meals at the same time but our waitress was really friendly which is great. Overall we gave P.F. Changs a 7/10.

and then we headed to church... and I got some shots of my dad really getting into his sermon

haha love this-- my dad with a man named john gooch. he rides motorcycles and wears leather :)

 and then my favorite--sunset shots!

 and we aren't ALL serious over here-- and I am totally using these for blackmail against my dad.

he is a goofball!

a few more-- are you tired of pictures yet?!

this would be bella falling asleep sitting up :) 

It was for sure a FULL first day of fun!  I can't wait to share a few pictures with you from a baby photo session I got to do while we were there too!  Those might be up later today!  (double post?! WHAT?!)

Over & Out,

A

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