'Twas the Night Before School....

when all through the house ALL the creatures were stirring especially this mouse;

Her backpack was packed, her clothes were picked out, she was so excited for school to start she wanted to shout!

We ate at Ella's Deli for our last summer hurrah

Which nearly emptied the wallet of our dear old pa!

Exploring Chicago

We recently spent several days in Chicago and had SO much fun!

First stop - Navy Pier Chicago's lakefront playground!

Playing "ring around the rosies" with others!

The 150 foot high Navy Pier Ferris Wheel!

The ride was closed because of the wind but re-opened right when

we got there! We saw beautiful views of Chicago's lakefront and skyline.

Mom talked dad into letting the kids ride the train. Dakota

and another little boy drove while RyAnne and Bailey enjoyed the ride.

From Navy Pier you can really get a great view

of the skyline!

Our hotel was in an awesome location - 1/2 block from Michigan Ave. On top of our hotel (22nd floor) there was a sitting area. It was a great place to watch the sun set after a long day of activities (and walking).

We decided go to the Rainforest Cafe for dinner. The last time we were here, RyAnne was sick and cried the entire time. Nobody cried this time (except for dad when he saw the bill).

The kids had their first taxi ride from the Inn of Chicago to our next adventure....... the Shedd Aquarium.

"YIKES"....SHARK! Dad was too scared to get too close, so he took the picture.

Dakota finally met "Baby Beluga". Although he wasn't in the "deep blue sea", he was really fun to watch swim with his mom.

Bailey staring into the eyes of an alligator!

RyAnne needed a boost to reach into the water and pet the starfish.

From outside the Shedd Aquarium with Navy Pier in the background.

On the way back, Dad decided to walk. We walked along the shoreline to Buckingham Fountain.....

Then we stopped and played at Millenium Park!

The kids enjoyed the waterfall......

After getting soaked, we walked up to this great big silver sphere and took our "reflective" picture.

The Family Fun Festival was happening at Millennium Park. We stopped at the Family fun tent for hands-on-activities!

Then we continued walking....and walking...and walking! Finally, we returned to the hotel and Dad figured out we walked 2.5 miles! The kids were real troopers!

Mini Vacation

We recently spend several nights at G-pa & G-ma's condo at Chula Vista for a little mini-vacation!

Dakota & Bailey found a few slides they LOVED going down all by themselves!

Who's that girl? Yep, it is RyAnne! She is finally 43 inches tall and can go on all the slides - AND DID! Dad said people in line for the Durango Drop couldn't believe she was going on it. It was her favorite slide :-)

And she dragged Mom on them.....

And she raced Dad on them.....

Grandpa and Grandma Carter came up one night

And she dragged Grandpa on them!

Grandpa enjoyed this spot much better!

We also took the kids on the "Ducks".

They thought it was great fun!

Zoo School

RyAnne recently participated in "What's for Lunch?" a class offered by the Henry Vilas Zoo. This year she learned about animals and their various diets. She got to go behind the scenes and see the various animal kitchens at the zoo and feed several animals!

Here she is (in the middle waving) with her class!

Since we were there we enjoyed the beach and seeing the animals too!

We are SO lucky to live near this beautiful (& free) zoo!

After class all smiles and with a new friend!

CARS 2

Dad took the kids to see Cars 2

Dakota's first movie in a theater - SCORE!

Lucky Seven

RyAnne turned 7 on July 10 th!

She never had an interest in getting her ears pierced, which was fine with us because she even tears up when we pull her hair when combing it, until about 3 months ago. We were in a mall in Milwaukee and out of the blue she announced, "I want to get my ears pierced!" So we checked out a place that does ear piercings and I told her if she was still interested in 3 months she could have it done for her birthday.

Three months later.........she was still interested! A couple days

before her birthday we took her to the mall and had it done.

I'm not sure who was more nervous......Dad or Mom! Below is a picture of her audience (Dakota and Bailey) looking on. I love the look on Dakota's face - it's like "ARE YOU CRAZY!"

RyAnne did a great job sitting VERY still. She walked around with a big smile on her face the rest of the day. Dakota? He was glad she was okay!

Then it was time for her birthday party! She decided on an Ariel "Under the Sea" theme this year.

For lunch we served octopus (hotdogs), shells (mac & cheese), fruit, and ocean water (blue jello with gummy fish and worms. YUMMY!

Bailey has no problem eating worms :-)!

We made "beach in a bottle" necklaces.

Cake time - always a favorite!

Leave it to RyAnne to read every card word-for-word! Note to self: remind everyone to buy short cards next year!

Silly Great Uncle Terry who always make us pies. RyAnne had the "Cow Pie" for snack that night and really liked it!

Adorable earring tree for all her new earrings!

Lastly, the gang was all ready to SWIM!

The big kids even enjoyed themselves!