Sun Fun...

Yesterday we went to The Greene so the girls could play in the fountain. They had a lot of fun, and actually stayed in the water for a lot longer than usual. It was very nice for mommy and daddy to be able to sit down in the shade and relax while the girls played. Afterward we had dinner at Panera and did a little back-to-school shopping. Today we went to mass. It's already so hot. Maybe we'll go to the pool later to cool off...

Yesterday at The Greene...

This morning before church...

Happy 8th Birthday, Logan!

No way is our first-born baby girl eight years old! That's just crazy. Today we all went down to The Beach waterpark with some of the girls friends from school. All together there were 21 adults and children in our party. The kids had so much fun. Carsyn and Logan went on almost all the slides, while Maren and Nana spent most of the day in the little kids area or the lazy river. After a long day at the waterpark we went home to get cleaned up, eat dinner, open presents, and have birthday cake. Logan and Carsyn liked all the clothes and books that mommy and daddy bought them, but their favorite gift (from us) was the WII. Yes, we finally have one. I'm sure dad will be playing it more than the girls. Logan had a pretty nice birthday!

At The Beach...

The birthday girls with their cakes...

Logan's cake (starting to lean)...

Carsyn's...

Eight-year-old Logan...

Six-year-old Carsyn...

Soon-to-be four-year-old Maren...

Happy 6th Birthday, Carsyn!

Carsyn turned six years old today! This has been such a big year for Carsyn, moving (again), starting kindergarten, and taking part of so many extra-curricular activities. She blossomed personality-wise. She is a lot more confident and outgoing. Carsyn is still such a sweet girl, but she has turned into quite the jokester as well. She loves to sing and dance and be very girly! Carsyn has done a lot of maturing and also reached some major developmental milestones. Just this summer Carsyn has really improved her reading skills, and has grown to love reading. She has also become quite a good swimmer.

Today after lunch we went to the pool with friends. The girls all had a great time. Afterward we came home for a shower, dinner, and presents from Nana. Tomorrow we will have cake and more presents from mom and dad.

Carsyn and Lilli...

School friends...

The Birthday Girl...

Birthday presents...

Hot Fun in the Summertime...

It has been so hot and humid here this summer. And while we have been keeping cool at the pool, it's not something that we feel like doing everyday. So today instead of going swimming, we went outside and played in the sprinkler, had water balloon fights, sprayed each other with the hose. They had a lot of fun--and the lawn got watered in the process!

Yummy push-ups...

Happy Fourth!

We had a pretty nice July 4th today. We went to mass this morning, came home for lunch, and then spent the day at the pool on base. At bedtime we got the girls (already in their jammies) in the car and drove over to the park here in town, and watched the fireworks. Happy Fourth of July!

Yankee Doodle girls...

Break time at the pool...

The Windy City...

After the girls' last swimming class on Thursday morning, we packed up the car and drove up to Chicago. The drive was fine until we hit major traffic on 65N north of Lafayette. There must have been an accident because we were completely stopped for 15 minutes before daddy decided to get off the highway. Yuck. Anyway, after arriving at our hotel just off the "Magnificent Mile" we got ready for a night on the town. We walked over to Navy Pier, where the girls enjoyed playing at the Children's Museum (and mommy and daddy enjoyed the free admission.) Then we ate dinner at Harry Caray's. How fun!

Checking out the view from our hotel

(the John Hancock building is on the right)...

Navy Pier...

Fun times at the Children's Museum...

Carsyn...

Holy Cow!

After dinner...

Navy Pier at night...

On Friday we all went down to the lobby for a leisurely breakfast before going up to Wrigleyville. The "L" was packed with (mostly) Cubs fans headed to the North side. We wanted to get to the park early so the girls could get their promotional American Girls Cubs outfit that they were giving away at the game. It was a beautiful day at Wrigley, weather wise. But, unfortunately the Cubs did not play that way. We were really hoping to get to hear "Go Cubs Go", but they lost again...to the Reds...again. That's our second time this season having to watch the Reds beat us! Oh well. We still had fun. On the way back to our hotel we delighted in some delicious Jamba Juice!

The Friendly Confines...

Carsyn...

Yes, this was Maren's first Cubs game (at Wrigley)--poor girl

had to wait 'til she was nearly four years old...

Enjoying the game with dad...

We are diehard fans, but we just couldn't stay any longer...

Yummm...

Back in our suite the girls couldn't wait to dress their dolls up in their new clothes. They even gave them their ice cream dishes to wear as batting helmets! You'll notice, though, that Carsyn's doll is only wearing her jersey...that's because her doll doesn't play baseball, she's just a fan ; )!

Go Cubbies...

Now that their dolls had new clothes, they needed a new hairdo's. So, we (reluctantly) took the girls to the American Girl Place for a style for Carsyn's doll and ear piercing for Logan's doll. Maren's doll has no hair, so she enjoyed a cupcake with daddy at the cafe. Afterward, we went out for some delicious Chicago-style pizza!

The girls at AGP...

Logan and Felicity's new earrings...

Carsyn and Elizabeth's new 'do...

Sunday morning after breakfast we headed across Lake Shore to the beach. The girls were so impressed with Lake Michigan and the fact that it was so close to downtown. They had so much fun playing. Next time we'll have to plan better and pack swim suits.

Beach girls...

Maren...

Carsyn...

Logan...

After the beach, we checked out the hotel with the idea of hitting Shedd Aquarium on our way home. However, we were very unpleasantly surprised to find a two-hour long line, outside--in the hot sun--just to purchase tickets. So, the girls settled for the Field Museum. Definitely not as fun as the aquarium, but a good time nonetheless.

Logan, bitterly walking up the stairs to the Field Museum...

Maren with Solider Field behind her...

Sue...