So Far This Summer

I'm not sure what is more disappointing - the fact that summer is two thirds over or the fact that I have posted just once since school got out! Honestly. I had high hopes of all that I would accomplish this summer and had thought I might be able to get my act together enough to document my accomplishments on our blog. Alas, that is not the case. 

In June we were able to fly back to Chicago to spend about 2 weeks with my family. We didn't think we'd be making the trip back to the Midwest (or any trips anywhere for that matter) this summer, especially after all the traveling we did last year and over Christmas break. But my parents graciously bought our tickets, so away we went. It was so great to be with my family again! Particularly because my brother and sister in law had their first baby, our first niece, Eliza Jean, in April so this was our chance to love on her in person. 

In spite of the record breaking temperatures (hotter than it was in California and WAY more humid), we had a great time! We went to Lincoln Park Zoo, Lambs Farm, the Splash Park, an amazing playground and even took in a Cubs game at Wrigley Field. As usual, I wasn't the best photographer so I don't have many good pictures (I have tons of pictures, just not good ones worth sharing) but enjoy! 

Riding the train at Lambs Farm 

 Checking out the sheep and goats in the petting zoo 

(Elin was more excited than she looks. I, on the other hand, was probably less excited than I look.) 

Poor Luke has already been brainwashed by his father that all animals are nasty and need to be avoided at all costs. Thus, he was skeptical of the petting zoo. 

Taking a quick breather before heading over the the merry-go-round and bounce house

Getting in a round of mini-golf before lunch

When we got back to Pops and NeeNee's house the boys were pooped! 

The luxury of laying on the couch didn't last long for Micah. Before long he decided Luke needed some encouragement to get up and play. :)

 Lincoln Park Zoo was really crowded so between trying to keep tabs on where my children (and other relatives were) and check out all the animals I didn't get many pictures at all, good or bad. oh well.
The highlight was, as usual, the monkeys. Especially the one that ate his poop - Luke was particularly amused.
Luke and Micah crawled into this log that had a window into the gorilla exhibit. Once inside, they were bombarded by one of the many day camp groups at the zoo that day and were trapped! Good thing they were entertained.

We met Katy at a park by her house for dinner one night. The playground was incredible and the weather was practically perfect. It was so great to get out of the house, let the kids play and run free and enjoy being together!

This picture just screams summer to me - jean shorts, sweaty, shirtless, eating watermelon. 

Doesn't get more summer-y than that! 

 Just us DeBoer's took a night to ourselves and went downtown to the Cubs game. We met Katy for dinner again before hand. Luke was excited to have pancakes for dinner but was even more excited (if possible) that the pancake looked like a baseball! Perfect dinner before a Cubs game!

 With Katy aka T.T.

 After saying goodbye to Katy we got back on the road to Wrigley field. Traffic was awful, I mean AWFUL! Turns out that the Vice President was in Chicago and happened to be going through that part of the city at that exact time and they closed down the freeway until he and his entourage passed through. Ugh.
We did make it to the game before the first pitch and had a blast! Luke literally sat on the edge of his seat, or on the floor in front of his seat, simply mesmerized the entire time. Not sure who was more thrilled, Luke or us (Luke was thrilled to be there, we were thrilled that our kids behaved so well and we could all enjoy the game as a family!)

 While we loved having places to go and things to do out of my parent's place there was no shortage of fun to be had at the house.  Luke and Micah played together amazingly well and all the grandkids were a joy to watch interacting together.

Playing in the sun room

Speaking of the grandkids... allow me to introduce our niece Eliza! Isn't she beautiful! 

Luke adored her.

 

A trip to my parent's house wouldn't be complete without a few creepy pictures of Matt and Jim. 

Seriously guys, you take these pictures of yourselves and expect me not to post them!

 What were you thinking? 

When they aren't pretending they are part of the cast of Zoolander we can actually get a decent picture... dads and daughters. love it. 

Our last day we attempted to get a good grandkid shot. Regardless of all the adults standing behind the camera line trying to get the kids to look in that direction and smile, this was as good as it got. I'm pretty sure just after this Caleb bit Elin causing her to cry and Luke to get protective/defensive of his little sister... you can imagine the rest.

So there you go, summer 2/3 over and I've officially blogged about summer!
More to come... eventually.