apple days

A couple of weeks ago we ventured to the apple orchard with the katie and her girls. we were able to take a wagon ride through the orchard and the kids were allowed to pick one apple. while we were there we ran into my sister in law and my adorable niece, Ali. We walked along the path to the petting farm and even slid down the slide a few times before heading back downtown. it was a very fun morning with good friends.

happy dog

i can rest now. poor scout has not been swimming in years...literally. i seriously have laid in bed on occasion feeling immense guilt that our lab with webbed feet has not been able to swim...to enjoy the very things she loves and was born to do. but the guilt is gone now, on monday we ventured to brown county for a morning of hiking and throwing sticks for scout. she was soo happy that she didn't want to get out...but alas, all good things must come to an end so she is back in the kitchen today.

if only every day could be like this...sigh.

chicago by storm

this past weekend, we snuck away for one last summer getaway. we headed to Chicago, home of the Chicago cubbies, to take the city by storm. we arrived at our hotel on Friday night and jumped in the pool 15 minutes later to begin our weekend of family fun. Saturday morning we woke up early and began our search for breakfast. we stumbled upon a farmer's market where we feasted on homemade donuts and jelly rolls. yes, we were able to find the only food in the market that had zero nutritional goodness! we are amazing, i know. we then took a taxi (without carseats--woohoos from the boys!) to the Lincoln Park Zoo where we fed cows, watched polar bears swim and ate runny, sticky popsicles. we took a lunch break by the river in our hotel and then retired to our room for a quick nap. in the afternoon we took to the river by boat and toured the city's architecture and historical waterway. We had dinner at a famous deep dish style pizza place and ended the day with a few rides at Navy Pier. Word to the wise...don't take a rowdy two year old on the ferris wheel...

First Day of First Grade

He's ready to learn and get some knowledge!

I cannot believe first grade is here already. What a delight this little boy is...

State Fair

Last Saturday we ventured to the fair. Joshua was VERY excited to ride his first carny ride...the race car...vroom! He was a little scared at first but by the second time around he was laughing and hollering like all good fair folk.

Our second trip to the fair was also an adventure. We took the train from Fishers with my nephew Eli. The boys had roaring good time riding the not- so- safe- why- did- i- let- them- ride- that rides while Joshua and I watched. A great time was had by all.

Door County

We recently returned from a trip to Door County Wisconsin with the Castor clan. The boys had so much fun bunking up with their cousins, watching endless movies, lake swimming, playgrounds, miniture golfing, building elaborate sand castles, running down trails, games, a awesome visit to the Farm, and no shopping trips! it was indeed a great time for them to connect with the greater Castor family.

Joshua might argue a little bit with this post because he really didn't get his beauty rest while there, he fell down on the trail and skinned his head, nose, and knee, bit through his lip at the playground, and dislocated his elbow playing too rough in the lake... He also is TERRIFIED of farm animals. But he did love sitting on the tractor. i almost had to dislocate his elbow again just to get him off.