Summer's Already Half Over!

At least it feels that way. It seems like every weekend has been full of BBQs, trips and fun times with friends and family. Since our last post we've said goodbye to Val, celebrated the fourth of July in Michigan, solo, while the girls spent quality time with the Boyd grandparents, spent a couple of days in Illinois and had a fun evening under the Detroit-Superior bridge.

We were sad that Val went home and the girls miss her terribly, but they seem to love their new babysitter who takes their squeals and over-affection in stride.

Val's last evening, saying goodnight to the girls

Thanks for all your help, Val! Good luck and study hard!

Summer Camp

The girls are in their third week of summer camp and Fiona has adapted very well. We went to "camp out" day and met the girls' "counselors" and their classmates. Their new babysitter, Lauren, meets them at home after the bus drops them off and takes them to the park or library and, lucky for the girls, she's an art teacher, so lots of arts and crafts!

Mini-Vacation

Joe's parents asked to take the girls for a week and the Fourth of July week was perfect since the girls had that week off from camp. We met his parents in South Bend, Indiana, had lunch and handed over our children. The girls were very excited to spend time with Nana and Papa and see Abi and Grandpa Polanco at the end of their week. Joe and I were excited to do some biking in Michigan and visit Mackinaw Island.

We spent our first afternoon at St. Joe's and biked a little. The next day on our way to Traverse City we detoured to Holland, MI. Who knew there was a real-life Dutch windmill? Well, now you know too.

I'll spare you the details of our itinerary, but suffice it to say it was a great trip visiting several quaint beachtowns along the coast of the lower penisula, biking, camping, eating, sampling local beers and generally relaxing. So, I'll just include some photographic highlights.

Cute gardens and pretty windmill in Holland, MI

Traverse City (we caught the Cherry Festival)

Mackinaw Island

The main drag and in front of the Chippewa Hotel

Longest porch ever at the Grand Hotel

Some amazing homes!

We crossed the third longest suspension bridge in the world (5 miles long!) that connects the Upper Penisula and then turned around and headed home

There's some of it

Meanwhile back in Chicago we had a chance to go sailing, courtesy of our insurance agent, along with Rob and Emma. It was a perfect evening for it.



Great view from Lake Erie

At the end of the week Joe and I drove back to Chicago to pick up the girls. We spent a little time with my parents, brother and his family.



The girls and Grandpa

Random plastic deer on the way back from my parents' local park

And finally a huge shout-out and thanks to Joel for giving Kuz her daily insulin shots while we were gone!