What a Great Summer

Our summer didn't really begin with the Big Adventure. It started the moment we arrived home from Florida the Wednesday before Holy Thursday when we were anticipating 13 house guests for the week-end attending a youth hockey tournament. The afternoon they were to begin arriving, we discovered a leak under the kitchen sink and as Don was heading out to get the parts to fix it he was informed that one of our house guests is a plumber. As a result of our hospitality we had the sink leak fixed, a shower fixed, and a toilet seat replaced. Thanks, Corey. We all had so much fun cohabitating for three days, that we may do it again next year only we requested that they bring an electrician along next time. 

We spent Mother's Day in Minnesota home of the Twins. (also Bob and Gretchen). Bob treated us moms to a wonderful prime rib dinner.







Immediately after returning from our trip we packed our suitcases and headed out by car to Mound, Minnesota. Their mother had a wonderful opportunity to tour Europe with a band as both chaperon and clarinetist. Bob needed a little help with babysitting and managing the household in her absence and Don and I were recruited. These are two of the funniest children I have ever known. The week was filled with laughter and joy. Their love of water in any form makes the swimming pool one of the best babysitting aids ever even on less than desirable days. We found something to do each day, rain or shine, big or little, and each day was an adventure in itself. Even announcing that our adventure for the day is going to the park we get a resounding "YEAH".

 Besides the several parks we visited, we played mini golf twice, (this is Jakie's newest obsession), went on a bike ride to the drive-in for lunch, and spent a day at the local swimming hole. 

Both boys mastered their two wheelers this summer

Jacob had a bit of trouble mastering the steering.

Later in the summer we were honored when the whole family came to Chicago for their vacation. It was only for a week-end, but we sure made the most of it. The biggest event was the day we spent downtown. The twins had their first train ride which Jake told me he had been waiting his whole life for. (He's four). Both of them spent a great deal of time with their noses pinned to the window. We went to the top of Sears Tower, again with noses pinned to windows, lunch at Bergoff's, then Millenium Park to the Bean and the fountains. 

We also hit the All Aboard restaurant better known as the choo choo restaurant, where the food is delivered in a model train, the Children's Museum, and Blackberry Farm. During these days Jake discovered that putting jelly on your peanut butter sandwich is actually a good idea, and chocolate ice cream is just as good, if not better, than vanilla. Robbie decided he would like to go up into all of the towers in Chicago and grandma really knows how to pick the best ice cream flavors.

Our girls paid us a visit in September when Ella and Amy had tickets to see One Dimension, the latest preteen heart throb boy band. Elise came along to hang with the grandparents while mom and sis attended the concert. We had some really great girl time, something that doesn't happen too often in this testosterone dominated family.

The rest of the summer we spent a lot of time on the golf course, a little bit of biking, a few trips with our Winnebago Club, and just having fun hanging with our good friends.

On one of our Winnie trips we visited the Field of Dreams in Iowa. I can't believe how moved I was to be there. I guess it is just such a great piece of Americana which has managed to escape commercialism. It stands in its original state, well maintained and free of charge.


Four days into fall comes my birthday and it was a real wow this year. It lasted for four days. On Thursday I enjoyed my free birthday golf game, compliments of Village Greens, with my friend Mike who shares birthdays with me. In the evening I was treated to a great Italian dinner at Clara's by my niece, Lindsay, and brothers Jim and Bill. I happened to mention the week before that I was short of golf balls and when presents started arriving, I received 42 of them. Thanks, guy, they won't go to waste. On Friday we golfed with Bill and later had dinner with one of our cousins. Saturday I received a birthday surprise visit from our Green Bay Chilsons and we spent the evening in Geneva at our Nephew Jason's house. The week-end terminated Sunday evening with dinner at our camping buddies the Russells. 

As always I try to be forever thankful for the blessings of the family friends we have been honored so with.