Happy 40th Anniversary Maw Maw and Paw Paw!

We had a surprise party for the grandparent's 40th anniversary. Lucy was passed around like a potato and Nickolas had fun with the balloons cleverly tied to his wrist and enjoyed the cheesecake. The real anniversary is September 20th, but we did it since all 3 kids were in town as well as the grandkids -- only thing missing was Dan, but he was there in spirit. The food was excellent and we pulled off a successful surprise.

Brian, Aimee, David, Maw maw Julie, Paw paw Jim, Lucy, and Nickolas

Lake Geneva

Nickolas and Lucy are officially the 4th generation of wee ones to spend a fun summer day at Lake Geneva. Great-grandma and grandpa took maw-maw when she was wee, and maw-maw took mommy and her siblings and their friends every year she can remember. Lake Geneva is near the Illinois border and is lined with many grand historic homes. The lake provides many opportunities for boat tours as well as a walking trail that covers the 27 miles of shoreline, which uncle David has hiked. Great-auntie Terri joined in the fun and spent much of the day with Lucy in the shade near the lifeguard stand. Nickolas was EVERYWHERE and enjoyed beach life immensely.


The first of many laps along the buoys with maw-maw.


Playing catch with the waves.


A ride on the raft.

Great-auntie Terri and Lucy.

The only break taken all day.

More splashing.

Our little sand crab.

Wisconsin State Fair

Nickolas went to the Wisconsin State Fair not once, but twice. Godmother Amy accompanied us the second time, which was great fun. Even more fun, was the ride down the Giant Slide with her. At the Fair, Nickolas had all sorts of great food and saw lots of animals.

Weeeeee!

Corn dog from the corn dog stand mommy used to work at during highschool. They never get old...

This is a cream puff. I'm told they are quite the delicacy at the Fair. We brought a 6-pack of puffs home for Paw Paw.

Oink oinks.

Moos.


No visit to the Fair is complete without an Elmo tatoo.

Nickolas's Vaca During Mommy's Summer School

Time to catch up from July. Aimee had her graduate school summer session for 10 days. During that time, Grandma Julie came to help in the hotel with Lucy in Maryland, and unfortunately got a terrible flu; however, she hung in there and made sure no classes were missed. Other than that, Lucy was quite a hit on campus with staff, professors, and classmates.

Meanwhile, Nickolas had the time of his life with Sue and WAyne (as Nickolas pronounces it). They went to the 4H Fair, the National Zoo, a water park, visited a fire station, took a ride on choo-choos at the mall, and essentially turned their home into a fun house for him.


After a visit to a fire station.


I love you ... no I love you


Future 4 H-er?


Co-host-in-training for "Under Wild Skies" (at the zoo)

There is a funny little creature in there that is cracking me up!

Nothing like some cool mist on a hot day at the National Zoo!


Lunch time.




More Aqua!!!!


My first Merry-Go-Round on a hee-haw.

Fun on the Farm -- Rare quiet times

Nothing like some fresh Kentucky air to appreciate all that is good.

With our Nana.


Morning nap.


Daddy, I NEED to be running. Essentially, at ALL TIMES.


Uncle David and cousin Grant in deep thought.

Quiet stroll with Nana.

Fun on the Farm - Wheeling

Tractors! Four wheelers! Trucks Nickolas's older cousins left for him to play with -- WHAT MORE could a 2 year old want? Perhaps we need to move to Kentucky...

Tonka heaven.


With the help of Ranger the doggy. It takes a lot of man hours to move these rocks.


My new friend Whitney who gave me a lovely book and sunglasses (and, who I couldn't keep my eyes off of).


Loving the John Deere.


And, the retro John Deere... it ain't easy running a farm!

Four wheeling with Uncle David.

Fun on the Farm 3

Nickolas had the time of his life in Kentucky running around like the country boy at heart he is. He felt so free running around on the grass, calling for the dogs, playing with the water hose, riding a 4-wheeler, climbing on tractors, throwing things into the pond, going for walks, chasing his cousin Grant around the house, watching wildlife -- there was simply too much fun to be had.

Strolling with Nana.


Watering.


More watering.


Miss Lucy staying shaded from the southern sun.


Sliding.


Nana must love me to let me use her sink like this!


Nickolas, check; Lucy, check; doggie; check; big strong daddy, check.

Birds

Now that we have a back yard, we've been spending more time outside enjoying the relatively mild summer blowing bubbles or playing catch. We are amazed not only by the amount of birds we see, but the variety, as well! Below is a photo of a Blue Jay. Nickolas had lots of fun chatting with the bird and feeding it some bread. One day, Dan saw an entire family of Blue Jays! We'll be sure to keep the camera handy to capture more photos of our little wildlife sanctuary.

I'm on a Boat

Mommy had an exciting night on the Potomac River with Auntie Jill and Auntie Mo on Jill's dad's fundraiser cruise while daddy stayed home with the kiddies. Mommy had too much fun with her girls (good thing the cruise is just once a year)!



No cruise is complete without a trip past the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory.


Jones Point Lighthouse