100 degree day equals POOL PARTY!!!

Family Fun Fest Review and pics

http://timeoutchicagokids.com/things-to-do/hipsqueak-blog/45871/do-division-family-fun-fest-fest-report-photos

There's a picture with Elliot, Natalie, Maeve, Johnny, and Dad's feet visible. (Sarah Merc's idea to keep them busy while we waited for a popular event was to have them bounce, bounce, bounce.)

Also, there's one with Ava, Elliot and Dad visible near the end.

Pretty nice review of the Jule's event too.

A Nata gerbil

Do Division Sunday #2

 

Jenny volunteered and made Nata into a "Pink Kitty." It seems that D.D.'s feline herpes has twisted the girl's view of what a cat should look like. E.B. got to dunk Mr. Edwards in the dunk tank.

Do Division Sunday #1

We started off at home with a little grilling. The Smokolas, Rats, Mercs and McMahons came by. It was a chamber of commerce day. Julie ran a top notch program. Pony rides topped Nata's agenda.

Mega Saturday

First things first: it was Natalie's first ballet recital today. She was beautiful and did a terrific job. Great form. Going where you are supposed to. She had all the key points locked down. Grandma Bonnie was there and had several flashbacks to Aunt Bean performances several decades ago. Jules was even able to sneak away from her huge festival to see the big show.

We ran straight over to Elliot's last soccer game of the season. They won yet again and the B had a great goal on a long pass from Zac.

We then ran back to Julie's fest just in time for a big thunderstorm. On the plus side, there was time for some cuddling with Mom under a tent while we waited for the weather to pass.

Days like today are the reason gin and tonics were invented. All is well.

Two goals and a trophy. Pure joy.

Waiting for the show

Do Division set up

Julie and the kids on TV

http://www.wciu.com/youandme.php?section=home&assets=videos&assetID=10005803

Child TV Stars

Julie, Elliot and Nata are on WCIU this morning promoting the Do Division Street Festival. Natalie floated through the scene several times with her balloon on a stick. Jules did a great job with her interview.

E.B. got a punk rock hairdo and bounced in the bounce house a lot. Larson and Pauline were also there.

I'm not ready!

Memorial Day in Michigan

Julie and the kids got me two nights of camping over Memorial Day at Warren Dunes State Park as a Christmas gift. It was an inspired present. However, the weather turned out horrid for much of Saturday and Sunday. Thank goodness the Gomezes were heading to their cabin just down the highway from the park this weekend too. We met up at Redamak's on Saturday night and they invited us to spend the weekend with them.

Sunday night we cooked smores on the beach over a backpacking stove to avoid having to try and start a fire with soaking wet wood.

We had a great time and the weather totally cleared on Monday giving us a sweet first serious beach day of 2011.

Sand castles by head lamp

Sunset post rain!

Girls rule. Boys drool.

Buried boy.

Searching for water with Ava 20 ft from Lake Michigan

Getting pond water for the frog spawning kit

Ducks

Elliot reading Harry Potter to Natalie

Sad boy. His soccer field was demolished thanks to paranoid parents. Boo.

Big win

Muddy day - poison ivy

Happy Hour

Warm weather is here. Jules put out the APB for people interested in Friday evening food and drink two weeks ago and again today. Both evenings were big successes. In summary, the kids destroyed the basement and the grown ups drank as much beer as possible as fast as possible. Meats were also grilled.

This week, we were joined by Chase Allen, age 10 days or so.

Home sick. Watching the princess draw birds.

Walking to school