August

August has been a very busy month, trying to get in all those last minute vacations/get aways before school starts(which is in a week and a half!) Instead of trying to post everything and to avoid overwhelming and stressing myself I will just write about what we have been up to. I have posted most of the pictures on my Facebook profile anyway.
Back in the last week of July we, as in, my boys and I ( John had to work and couldn't take of two weeks from work since we were going to be camping the following week) went up to my sisters cottage on Silver Lake and stayed there from Mon.-Thurs. We had some friends up there as well just down the road so we spent most our time over there. They took my boys on tube rides, even Levi went once with me, not so sure what he thought of it though. We just enjoyed the sun, water and hanging out, we went into town one night for ice cream. On Wed. night I invited my sisters kids to come up and spend the night and next day with us, which my boys loved. They call them their dudes :) Then on Thurs. evening we headed back home so that I could pack for a week of camping in 2 days!

Heres a picture up at the cottage to break up the long post.... :)

After the cottage we headed to Tri-Ponds Campground with my whole side of the family. This is the first year we stayed for a full week and John even took the whole week off! We rented a cabin which was really nice except it had been really hot the first few days we were there and they have no air. We find that this place is perfect for us b/c it has a pond and pool, kayaks, fishing, petting zoo, game room, volleyball, ect.. so there are plenty of things for everyone to do b/c all our kids range in age from 15-2. The weather was awesome, couldn't have asked for anything better, it did rain late one night and then a little another morning, but still got in plenty of sunshine. Camping is a little tiring at this stage yet, trying to keep on eye on my young kids, but I know that they love it and have a great time and we make some wonderful memories. Can't wait to go again next year!

About half the group, one of my brothers family didn't come till mid-week and most the guys were at work yet.

We were gone from Sunday to a Sunday so the week after camping I just spent putting everything away and getting back into a normal routine. The Sat after we got we headed to Chicago with John's side of the family. They have a visitor from Uganda that is stayign with them for a month and they wanted him to see Shedds Aquarium. This was are first time going there and it was a nice place to visit. Lots of underwater creatures you don't normally see. We also watched a short 4D movie which Levi did not like and a dolphin show. It was very busy there and was getting difficult to move around the place so I was ready to leave. We were going to go to Millenium Park and see a few things but it was raining we we all headed towards home and on the way we stopped at The Cracker Barrel and had a nice home cooked meal. Another great adventure with our family.

Road Trip!....

Riley and Levi with their 3D glasses on...

This one is out of order and should have gone first, but we also went to John Ball Zoo with my sister in law and her to kids about a week or two before the cottage. It was a perfect summer day, we went right away in the morning, checked out all the animals/exhibits, had lunch there, rode a camel, feed the birds, touched sting rays( only me though the older two would not tough them, and were done and home for naps by 2:00, nice little day trip.

The classic photo on the statue, I even have one with all my cousins :) My neice Lexi and Logan on the bottom, Levi in the middle and then Riley and Carter on top.

Riding the camel...

I think that is it for our family adventures for now, but this Sat. John and I are going to Cedar Point, just the two of us for some much needed alone time. The boys are going to have a sleepover at grandma and grandpas were I am sure they will be spoiled. Then its a whole new kind of busy, school starts along with soccer. Riley is a doing it for his 4th year and this is Carter's first time. Until the next blog post, hopefully I will keep on top of it next time.