Labor Day in the Door

One more trip to Bill and Jean's or, as Elliot refers to it "Uncle Piggy's Country House."

Grandpa Owie and Grandma Sue joined us this time. The weather was great, the mice were active (Jules saw one on the stairs Monday night peering at us as we read), and swimsuits were optional for one and two year olds. Big big fun.

The beach was good for making sand pancakes and pretending to be a dolphin and killer whale, the Eagle Trail in Peninsula State Park produced spectacular views of Ephraim harbor and a mildly sprained ankle for Jules.

More sidewalk chalk

Art projects are still big. Natalie is learning to draw and share from Elliot.

This is Elliot's drawing of a turtle.

Venetian Gardens Corn Roast Pics

There's midwestern and then there's midwestern. Larry and Sue's subdivision had a block party/corn roast today. Gorgeous day after lots of heat rain and humidity.

There was a green jello salad with marshmallows.

The Fox River was overflowing its banks into the park a bit too which was exciting. The fast river flow kept the powerboaters and their noise away as well. Great news!

Summer in the City

One night recently the Navarros decided to pull out the TV and watch it in our front porch area. We got these pics of Elliot playing with the girls. There are few things more exciting than

(1) Staying up late
(2) With the Navarros
(3) Watching TV
(4) Outside

Big night for a boy.

Art Projects

Elliot is obsessed with drawing these days. He draws with sidewalk chalk on our front porch area and crayons too. The chalk drawings are "teachers." The crayon one is a bus complete with wheels and a driver.

Nat walks - turns away from Daddy at will

Nat's walking - check her out

FYI - My club sandwich at Wilson's in Ephraim on Saturday was fantastic.

More from the Door

Bean and Mom also serenaded Elliot with show tunes, danced like loons, built sandcastles, climbed trees, spotted deer and other small mammals (hedgehog? groundhog?), and embraced the woods with gusto that belies their very urban(e) tendencies.

Oh yeah, the cherry orchard behind Bill and Jean's is in full form right now. Literally tons of ripe cherries just out the back door.

Up in the Door Again

Big trip. Aunt Bean and Grandma Bonnie came with us. Plus, Bill, Jean, Matthew, Jamie and Dawn Gram came up too.

Highlights - Elliot saw a turkey and a deer in Peninsula State Park. We went swimming at Nicolet Bay beach. Pasty Dads look really good at the beach.

Natalie got walked by Dawn about 6 hours a day and by Sunday night took 5 steps between Aunt Bean and Julie on her own.

We also picked raspberries off of bushes and mulberries off of trees in the Gram's yard.

Kettle Moraine

We went on our first camping trip with Natalie and Elliot last weekend. Thanks to Grandpa Larry and Grandma Sue we were able to pull it off with a minimum of friction.

Highlights included - playing in the spring-fed creeks, playing in the RV and tent, campfire, trying to figure out why Grandpa was hanging from the bathroom door or the RV like a bat, riding on Dad's head.

Oh, and yes, Elliot only wears his Meerkats jersey when on a Big Adventure.

Turtle on Wheels

Natalie is still trying to walk. To give my back a rest, I put her on the truck. She loved it and was kicking with her left foot to get me to go faster, I think.

Father's Day - Wrigley Field - The Kinglseys

Pretty great Father's Day. Took the bus and red line to the ballpark. Had a hot dog and fries before the game. Met up with Jay and Trey. Ate enough peanuts, cotton candy and popcorn to almost get sick. Peed in the Wrigley potty without incident. Made it through the 7th inning stretch. Got an air conditioned taxi home.

Per Elliot, "I don't like this song (Take Me Out to the Ballgame). I like Twinkle Twinkle." We'll need to make a few more trips to turn him into a real fan it seems.

Ribbons

Elliot wanted a ribbon in his hair like Zoe.

Sociology Saturday

We started our day on Saturday at the dedication of a memorial to Grant Pick and Wicker Park. The Oppenheimer Family Foundation donated funds to build a big bench in Grant's honor.

That afternoon we went to a high school graduation party for our friend and neighbor Ariceli Navarro.

Two very different events but lots of fun.

Party Dress

We went to Chely's graduation party among other things on Saturday. The Turtle wore her special party dress.