Door #5

Basically, it was awesome.

Door #4

The Merc's place in Ephraim had a spectacular view of the harbor and sunset. Elliot and Johnny hunted mushrooms in the woods and snakes in the marsh.

We saw a pileated woodpecker and bald eagle the same day.

The Dickinsons and Mercs had a sea battle at one point.

The snack bar at Penninsula had chili cheese hot dogs made with nacho cheese. Not bad.

Door Pics #3

Running started in Milwaukee on the way up and really never stopped.

They were deer in the orchard.

Elliot dug a "habitat" on the beach for several hours one day. Even when his back was hurting, he kept on going because he "had a lot of work to do."

Door Pics #2

Elliot used a turkey feather as a sail to help Julie ride faster.

One more time up north

Did our first week long vactation with the kids. Left Saturday returned Friday. Spent lots of time with the Mercurios. It was awesome.

Boating and swimming in Ephraim Harbor near the Mercs house
Swimming at the Nicolet Bay.
Biking in Pennisula State Park and to and from Egg Harbor.
Hikes in the cherry orchard.
Ridiculous numbers of tube steaks.

Fishing and Grillin' with Gma Bonnie

Friday night we went to Millennium Park for a concert. Owie and Sue, the Grams and many thousands of others were there. It was awesome. We stayed out til 9pm and caught a cab home.

On Saturday, we did a little fishing in the gangway and had Bonnie over for dinner.

Big summer weekend.

Ring Pops

In the goodie bag from Johnny Merc's birthday on Saturday.

Mindblowing good fun.

Toys come and Go

Funny how some toys fall out of favor and then return. The red bricks were back with a vengance this week.

D. D Kitty for Reals

Here's the real DD Kitty making it happen at our house.

Dee Dee Kitty

Our camera is not functioning but we got a kitty.

She's named Dee Dee. This is somewhat unfortunate since that's one of D's old nicknames.

She was a gift from our friend Will Hayes who accidentally got into breeding his cats when a spaying took longer than anticipated to take effect.

Dee Dee is an alpine lynx. This link is to a pic of her mom or dad. She looks very similar and is beautiful.

Doubtless, many pics to come once we get the camera working again.

Lollapalooza

Let's call this one a learning opportunity.

1) 95 degrees
2) 80% humidity
3) An 11 am start

We really enjoyed the Erza Furman & the Harpoons show (Elliot is in the middle of the picture on Julie's shoulders) and Kidapalooza. Ran out of gas and bailed before TV On the Radio and Santigold.

Air conditioning is the best.

Also, we got a cat and the kids really wanted to see her again.