Chicago Vacation

We had a nice summer vacation in Chicago this August.  We headed to my parents house, where we enjoyed spending time with them as well as cousin Zachary, who is 10 months old now.

While in Chicago, we connected with old friends, toured the Museum of Science and Industry, spent an evening at Ravinia, and visited the Lincoln Park Zoo.

We also enjoyed lunch with my dad's cousins (they cleverly timed one of their bimonthly visits to correspond with our trip) and had the chance to reunite with Dr. Kyle Nash, the officiant at our wedding almost nine years ago.  Time sure flies.

During our two weeks away, we took short road trip to Door County, WI.  We stayed in a condo graciously loaned to us by one of my dad's cousin's for two nights, and really enjoyed some pool time and beach time swimming in Lake Michigan--it was hot!  We also took a beautiful bike ride through Peninsula State Park.

Of course we also partook a fair amount of ice cream and custard, yum yum!  (Ice cream stops during our two week trip included: Dairy Queen, Culver's, Wilson's, Kopp's, and Margie's...the favorite--a tie between Kopp's Salted Caramel Custard and Wilson's Jumbo sundae!).

On the way back to Chicago we spent the afternoon with my Grandma--she is looking great for 93--and had a dinner with her and my Aunt Judith, and cousin Tonia and her family

So, we were busy!  And lucky that we had two weeks off to travel.

Big Girl Bed

A few weeks ago, Alaina made a big move--into a new bed.  She had been in the crib with one of the rails down for awhile, but now she has a full size twin bed.  I took her to target to pick out sheets. Her choice: peppa pig.    I also picked up a fluffy pink comforter with embroidered flowers.  Girl stuff is so much fun.

She has been sleeping pretty well in it, and we even decided not to put up a rail, since it is fairly low to the ground.  She hasn't fallen out yet!

The crib got sold on craigslist the next day.  She has been doing a great job staying dry at night, so we also have ditched nighttime diapers.  No more babies in this house!

7.5

Well, I guess I must publish about Ethan's half-birthday lest there be any thought of things being "unfair".    Ethan turned 7.5 last week, and we marked the occasion with a batch of brownies--his choice!

He is also growing up fast.  This weekend I took him back to school shopping.  I decided to give him a budget, and let him pick what he wanted as long as it fit in the budget.  Well, all he wanted was Nike stuff--nike shoes, nike shorts, nike shirts etc.  Luckily we have a Nike outlet nearby and he scored some pretty cool shoes for a good price and had money left in his budget for some electric red shorts and an electric blue hoodie.  Certainly not what I would have picked but he is pretty excited.  Three more weeks until second grade!