Summer Roundup Part 2

Janis and the kids. Notice Jeremy's ode to
Janis' hometown: Edmonton Oilers.

Ah, the rest of our summer!

My cousin Janis from Edmonton came to stay with us for a week in July, and I don't know who had more fun! She's headed out here a few other times, and I love that the kids remember playing with her. We spent several days at the pool since the temperature was in the 90s for several straight days. She also was able to check out Jeremy skating. We had planned all along to go to the zoo on the Friday that she was here, and we were so sad when we woke up Friday morning to all this rain! But we decided to go ahead with it and hope that the zoo was dry.

The kids and Janis at the dolphin show.

We were right! I've never seen the zoo so empty in the summer. We found a close spot and were able to enjoy an almost-empty zoo. We checked out the dolphin show, and the kids just had a blast hanging out with Janis.

Beautiful girl.

Me and my girl.

Me and my boy.

Janis and Riley.

In front of the zoo sign.

Riley took this pic.

C+D reading to the kids.

The following day we went down to great-grandpa's for a family reunion where we were able to spend lots of time with Uncle D and Casey. We spent the night down there, and the six of us shared a connecting room. The kids enjoyed having D and Casey read a book they had given the kids: Casey and Derek Take the Ice. Ha!

Uncle D sandwich! Poor Casey's on the bottom!

J playing hockey with Uncle D.

Almost all of the Ackerman clan.

Great-grandpa and his children.

Great-grandpa and the Smiths.

J getting ready to throw.

Sports dotted our summer, much like any season. J played T-ball again, and I honestly think he's ready for regular baseball. His hockey buddy Billy was on his team, and his parents and sisters enjoyed chatting and hanging out with us. His sister Kaylynne called Phil "Uncle Phil."

Nice follow-through!

Riley ready for the pitch!

Riley participated in softball, which she didn't do last year. That girl can hit the ball! She had a lot of fun, and she had a really good coach, which definitely helps. I have a feeling she'll want to play again next summer. I just felt bad that most of her games were on Saturdays at noontime when the days were about 90 degrees! 

I think she was annoyed we asked her to look at the camera.

Riley on the tram.

We headed to the zoo one last time during the summer since the kids told me they wanted one last venture. We checked out the stingray bay exhibit, and the kids attempted to touch a ray. For extra money, you could buy seafood to try to feed the marine life, but the kids weren't up for that.

J doing his obligatory smile.

Me and my girl. J took this pic.

The kids and Mom.

The stingray exhibit.

On the carousel.

Riley's turn.

J goofing around with Uncle D.

We spent some more time with Uncle D and Casey before they headed off to Brockton, MA, for a wedding and spend some time with Casey's family. They are currently in Guatemala where they helped build some schools and houses. Last I heard, they were still planning to come to Chicago in a few weeks to find a sublet!

Putting Uncle D to work!

Riley bowling.

I treated the kids to some bowling before school started, and they each had so much fun! I love that they have the bumpers, but leave it to both my kids to throw the bowling ball over the bumpers! Jeremy's actually landed on the lane next to us and caused the other person a scratch! And Riley had to have an employee come and rescue her ball!

Nice follow-through.

J waiting patiently for his turn.

Getting ready to board the train.

We capped off the summer with a trip to visit Phil at the office. I surprised the kids, and we rode the train downtown. They both did great, and we experienced an extra treat because while we were pulling into the train station, we witnessed some of the airplanes practicing for the air and water show! Two planes formed a heart with their exhaust, and the kids LOVED it! We didn't do much downtown, but the kids got to look out across the city from Phil's office, and we even walked around the Sears/Willis Tower.

Outside Dad's office.

Dad and his girl.

Our puzzle. We actually got it through
the library's puzzle exchange program.

Before school started, the kids and I completed a 550-piece puzzle. It took us 3 days, but it was SO much fun! Jeremy has really gotten back into puzzles and usually does 1-2 daily. He's notorious for finishing a puzzle, wrecking it, and doing it again. His favorites are these Disney puzzles that came 8 in a box, with the minimum number of pieces at 150!

The PONY!

Our really good friends who are our neighbors held a joint birthday party for their two girls right before school started. And no party is complete without a...PONY! How cool is that? Riley was all about it, but J wanted nothing to do with it. But it was quite a sight, and I joked that this birthday is going to be difficult to top!