Summer...in review

Yeah.

Apparently, after taking a photo a day for a few months, I really loose interest in taking pictures.

So here is a recap of the first half of our summer.

This summer...

we played (and watched) a LOT of baseball



went to camp



had a mini reunion with 4 of the 7 families we traveled to China with



watched (and marched in) a parade



climbed some fences



played on the beach





a lot...




spent time with our cousins



learned to row a boat



trained for a triathalon



became an official "Lake Monster"



relaxed...



made friends with some farm animals



checked out the Chicago skyline from one of the tallest buildings in the world







and that was just July...

Another baseball season behind us...

I hate it when baseball season ends. I get a little wistful on the last day of the season.

This season was a bit difficult for Sam--he had a screamer for a coach, but Joey had a GREAT season.

I will really miss it next spring. On the other hand, Finnish baseball is interesting to watch!

Not sure if Joey is up for trying it out or not!

Strawberries mark the beginning of our summer

Strawberry picking marks the unofficial start of summertime!

Buckingham Fountain

One of my favorite childhood memories was always visiting Buckingham Fountain along the lake in "downtown" Chicago. I loved how the water would shoot high up into the sky and gently spray onlookers who were standing in just the right spot.



Now I love to take my own kids to see the fountain.





I love the fact that almost all of Chicago's lakeshore is accessible to the public (save 4 miles that preservationists are still trying to acquire...).



A new tradition that I have begun with my own family is an occassional summer visit to Chicago's Little Italy for a cup of Mario's Italian Lemonade.



This place is really quite a hole in the wall! But they make the most delicious Italian Lemonade and it's always packed!



Lily doesn't like anything that is fruit flavored (nor does she like fruit)! I think she was really bumming that we drove a bit out of our way for a treat and the treat was strawberry flavored!

Enjoying Spring

140/365 The dog ate my library book...

I never understood the old "the dog ate my homework" excuse until today. The dog ate Sam's library book. Sam thought his world would end. He wrote his sad little note..."sorry." Poor guy, it wasn't even his fault. For $11.00 we made his world right again...