Summer's Last Hurrah

Pat had the week before school started off from work so we had a "staycation" with the kids. We had some good weather, and we also had two rainy days (which we kind of needed to rest!). Here's what we did...

Saturday

We slept in, and then took advantage of the beautiful day by going to nearby Tampier Lake to go take out a rowboat since the kids have always wanted to try it. Well, we got there and the rowboat attendant told us that these big boats only can have four people in them (even with the size of our kids, etc). So, we were walking away kind of bummed and the kids were starting to cry when Pat suggested I just take them out since I was going to be the one rowing anyway since his shoulder is hurt. I thought about it a little, and then decided that I would try it. The kids were totally into it aside from they kept thinking we were going to tip over (when there really was no danger of this). I let them all try rowing and they thought it was fun. We were out there for an hour and then we were ready to row in since there were flies bothering us. All in all, it was a fun time. After that we had to go satisfy Pat's craving for an El Gallo burrito for dinner. The kids love to go out to eat no matter where it is. They behave much better these days, and actually eat their food (bonus).

Sunday
Today was another mild weather day, so we went to Challenge Fitness to play tennis at their courts and we also took Hannah's bike without her training wheels so she and Pat could practice riding on the nice open paths there by the courts. Josh and Hannah tried to hit the ball back and forth a little, but then they lose interest and do something else, but Ryan really wanted to work hard at practicing and he got so he could hit the ball back over the net a couple of times. He really liked it and was very determined. I wish I had pics but I was running all over the court. I even got Pat to hit me some balls so I could have a workout :) Later we had a "firecamp" back at home with s'mores-yum!

Monday-it rained-boo...

Tuesday and Wednesday
On Tuesday we dropped by the kids' open house at school and met their teachers. Josh and Ryan have the same Kindergarten teacher that Hannah had. They all liked seeing their rooms and Hannah even got to pick out which desk she wanted to sit in (front row) and put her school supplies into it already. The boys were excited to meet their teacher for the first time, and Ryan gave her a big hug (of course). After taking care of business, we hit the road to drive to the beach in St. Joe. Here are some Joe highlights:

Yummy panini!

 

Goin' out for a swim...

We went out to walk the pier and try to catch a sunrise before we went back home...

Classic

Thursday
It rained...we did go out to eat at Mo's Chinese Kitchen-our fave Chinese place.

Friday
On Friday, we went downtown to see the practice for the Air and Water Show from Navy Pier and to get some Garrett Popcorn, of course! We ran into Pat's friend Mike and his son Ken, so the kids played with him a bit. We ended up watching the Blue Angels from the end of Navy Pier with some more of Mike's family that Pat has known since childhood. It was a fun afternoon. We also toured a military ship that was docked at Navy Pier for the weekend...

Playing with Ken

Watching for jets and planes

 It was a great afternoon of fun and family time! After Navy Pier, Pat and the kids dropped me off at my friend Heather's in Lincoln Square. Later Heather, Kerri, who came in from Indiana, and I got to catch up on old times at dinner out at Epic back downtown. A perfect end to the day!!

Pat's Birthday Celebrations

This year Pat and I got to go out to eat on Pat's actual birthday since the kids were at VBS in the evenings at the beginning of this week. Pat surprised ME by taking us to Wildfire for his birthday-sweet deal for me, huh? ;) Here's our yummy horse radish crusted filet wrapped in bacon...we almost always get the same thing each time we come here. He even got a chocolate lava cake and ice cream with a candle in it compliments of Wildfire.

On Sunday, we celebrated by having cake with Jim & Mary, Jimmy, Rachel, and Lily. Here are some pics...

Guess who put the candles on...?

"Pizza Man" cake

Happy Birthday to You...!

Block Party 2012

Block Party 2012 was another success! We had a beautiful day in the 80's as compared to last year's 50 degree weather since we had it in September. The fire department came out for us and turned on a hydrant for the kids to run through for a little while, they gave out fire hats and coloring books and let the kids get in the truck. They were all really nice. We rented a jumpy house and Rich brought out his new water slide so the kids had lots to do! The guys grilled and people all brought sides to share. 

Later on the movie screen came out and the kids all watched Up! on it while the adults sat around the fire pit. We met some neighbors we hadn't met before and got to hang out with lots of friends. A good time was had by all!

Foodie Hannah

Thought I'd post this video that Hannah made after watching "Food Network Star." I think she's a natural ;)

Whew! It's hot!

It has been a hot couple of weeks! We've had temps in the 90's to 100's for quite a while now it seems. Last Friday we had a storm with 85mph winds and we lost our power from roughly 10pm Friday night to Saturday at 5:30pm with it coming on briefly in the middle of the night at less than full power. It was not fun. We stored our fridge food in my friend's fridge who lives behind us and we went out to eat for lunch and dinner, went to 5:00 church on Saturday night, and by the time we came home the house was nice and cool-yay! We've been to Heritage Falls to swim, to a friend's grandma's pool, and we've run through the sprinkler to enjoy the heat.

Today we could only be outside for about 45 minutes before it just got too hot. It is 102 degrees right now. I let the kids get out and run through the sprinkler and play in the water hopscotch before it burst.

Happy Fourth of July!

Happy Fourth everyone! We started celebrating last night with some of our neighbors and their kids over in the backyard. The kids caught lightening bugs and we spotted a few fireworks. The kids think it's super special to stay up late, and we did!

On the actual Fourth of July, we all slept in late. It was super hot again, but we managed to grill some burgers, dogs, and polish sausage with Pat's mom and dad over for lunch and enjoyed some family time. We weren't sure if we were going to go anywhere to watch fireworks or to just try to see some out back, but we we ended up driving to Mokena to see their display. It was easy to get to, and not too far away. They had a band playing and were setting off some cannons while we waited for the fireworks so that kept the kids busy. When the fireworks started it was set to patriotic music too. Happy Birthday USA!

Hannah turns 7!

Our little girl has turned 7 years old...wow! Hard to believe! She has been celebrating starting with a surprise lunch with Mommy, Josh, and Ryan at school on her birthday. We brought her Subway and she was shocked and happy. When Daddy got home from work, she opened some presents and had McDonald's for dinner (her request).

She also celebrated with a party with her girlfriends from school. They came over to decorate cupcakes and open presents, then I took them all to see "Chimpanzee" at the movie theatre. Hannah thought it was "slow and boring," and I couldn't disagree completely. Oh well, live and learn! They all had fun anyway.

After the girls had gone home, the weather got prettier out and our neighbors were having a birthday party for their little boy and earlier in the week had said that we should stop by their magic show that evening. Josh and Ryan had been playing with another neighbor friend, so we gathered up all the kids and went to see the magic show. Ryan even got pulled into the show and the magician was pulling coins out of his ears and hood-who knew? After the magic show, Pat got us some Burger 'n Que for dinner. It was a really fun night.

On Sunday after church, we had Pat's family over to celebrate some more! The kids played outside on the swings a little before it got chilly and rainy, and we had cake and presents. Our little grown up girl got dresses, earrings, and more for her birthday. One more party to go...