Our Summer trip to Dayton

We went to Dayton to visit my parents. My sister and Emma were also there during our visit. We had a fantastic time. Emma and Mikey had so much fun together. They were calling each other their best friends.

Sam & Clare come to visit!

Clare and Sam Schueren came to Chicago for a visit. It was great to see them and finally meet 'Baby' Sam as Mikey calls him. Sam was born about 2 weeks after Maddy. Sam and Maddy had a great time together. Added bonus we got to spend a lot of time with Kristen or 'Koko' as Mikey calls her.

On Friday we went to the zoo. It was also the first day of the air and water show so we were able to see a lot of plans flying overhead. The kids loved them.

Mikey and Clare.....taking a stroll.

The zoo wore Sam out!

Mikey climbing around.

Playtime in the playroom! Let's all climb on KoKo!!
Miracle that we got all three sitting still and looking for this picture!

It was our neighborhood block party on Saturday while they were in town so they joined us. Sam and Maddy in our stroller getting ready to head over to the park.

Love this picture of Maddy and Koko

Mikey checking out the firetruck. Getting ready to drive off!!

They had a fantastic face painter and balloon artist at the party. Here are some pics of Mikey's tiger and Monkey balloon.

Mikey and Daddy in the 'father/kid' race. Of course, Mike had to win....

Mikey a little dazed afterwards...

Garden Time

We wanted to share with you a few photos from our garden that we have spent a lot of time in this summer. Mikey and Maddy both quite like watering. All the hard work has paid off as we are finally starting to get some tomatoes and yes as you will see carrots. While the carrots still need some more time we are quite enjoying our supply of tomatoes that we are getting. I also could pass up posting a few pictures of the butterfly that was hanging out in our garden.







Picture of our garden.

The other side.


Mikey reaching to pick his first tomato.


Mikey so excited to pick such a big tomato.

Mikey's tiny carrots. They still need more time.

Lions and Tigers and Bears! OH, MY! (and water too)

We are very fortunate that we live extremely close to the Lincoln Park zoo. We try have tried to make it there about once a week (although sometimes it has been more than that). We have also been lucky to be joined by our good friends Rachel & Teagan Arndt during a few of our trips. Below are some pics of Mikey and Teagan from the trips we made to the zoo this summer.



The kids playing on the giant tractor. They were moving around in there so fast that it was a little hard to get a great picture, but they both had so much fun stearing and pushing all the buttons.

Next we visited the little garden. They had fun chasing each other through the corn stalks. It was also nice b/c the kids could eat or take veggies that they were able to find.

Them looking at a gorilla up close!

Water time! Can't get enough.


Too cute!!