Summer in the States 2009!

Around Grandpa's campfire - cookin' up some smores...
Running races on the beach with Uncle Dan...
Nate and Max just hangin' out...
It may have been cold in Door County - but the fire and the company kept us warm...It was so wonderful to have Grandma Coleen with us for the week.

Summer in the States 2009!

A day with the Maxwells...

Whenever I am with the Maxwells, I spend my time in awe of just how lucky we are to have such special friends in our lives. You are such an amazingly generous, loving, open family. Thanks guys for everything - you have a really special place in our hearts.
p.s. we missed you Sam!

Summer in the States 2009!

Lizzie and Sera Ann sharing their 'gummy fish'
Lisa taking in a moment of calm ('relaxing') on the trampoline...

Summer in the States 2009!

Ada, Ohio

The day after we arrived in Oshkosh, the five of us got in Grandpa's minivan and drove 8 straight hours (this, of course, was just after our 28 hours traveling to the States) to Mary and Tom's house in Ada, Ohio. We spent a week with them - shopping, playing, relaxing, socializing, etc. It was a wonderful way to start our summer vacation. Thanks guys!

Max and Mom...

Summer in the States 2009!

LET THE WATER BALLOON FIGHT BEGIN!

Here are just a few of the many, many balloons (not to mention water shooters, buckets, pots, pans, bowl - just about anything) used in the water fight.
Mary and Tom's yard is the perfect place for summer afternoon water play...

Summer in the States 2009!

The Water Fight Continues...

What an incredible group of kids...we are so blessed to have such wonderful friends in Ada.

Summer in the States 2009!

Ada, Ohio
Sera Ann with her "new best friend" Evelyn (Aunt Mary's Goddaughter).
Sera Ann and Evelyn were instant best friends and spent as much time as possible together during our week long stay. The two girls had a blast together.
True Friendship...
Note the tatoo on Sera's cheek...
Aunt Mary with Sera Ann - on the hike at the Nature Preserve - Sera LOVES her Aunt Mary!

Summer In the States 2009!

Ada, Ohio...This is the second time back to this wonderful Nature Preserve just outside Ada. It is the perfect place to hike and picnic.
Tayah brought her good friends Annabelle and Olivia.


Summer happiness - skipping down the path...

Summer Vacation 2009

Nate and Max (exhuasted) at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago.

We broke-up our 8 our drive from Ada, Ohio with an overnight in downtown Chicago at the Palmer House. Staying at the Palmer House brought back childhood memories of when I would stay there with my family because my dad had meetings at the Palmer House. As far as hotels go - the Palmer House is definetly at the top of my list.

Our days in Chicago were spent at the Shed Aquarium and at the Zoo.
What is a day at the Zoo without ice cream...

Summer in the States 2009!

We arrive in Wisconsin June 15! Healthy, a bit jet-lagged, smiling and ready for our two month adventure!
Our first day back, we celebrated Grami, Tayah and Max's June birthdays. Here are Sera Ann and Max with Grami and Grandma.
See mom, I am not tired at all...now may I please have a piece of the birthday cake!
Sera Ann with Grami
The birthday group...singing Happy Birthday.

Whispering Palms End of the School Year Program - June 2009

At the end of every school year, Whispering Palms puts on an incredible, creative program. Last year was an off-shoot of Winnie the Pooh and this year the teachers talked about all of their memories of the past year, each memory was connected to a song, while the students performed and sang each song.

Max's class had two songs. The first being Yellow in remembrance of their year spent working towards earning 'green cards', cautious about their 'yellow cards', and avoiding 'red cards'. The first graders second song was Kung Fu Fighting -you can imagine how the boys loved that! Each student took turns showing off their Kung Fu Moves.

Tayah's class got to perform 'Wild Thing' - which was absolutely hysterical, yet very well done! The kids had a blast coming up with some very creative costumes. Underneath their Wild Thing outfits - they were ready with swim suits for their second number of Surfin' USA. Ask Tayah to sing these songs for you...she has all the words completely memorized...