September 2012

IMG_5456, a photo by tracyg00 on Flickr.

Labor Day weekend was lots of fun! We spent the long weekend up at the cottage. It was a little overcast, but that never stops a boat ride. We went over to the northeastern portion of the lake where a little peninsula jets out. We docked the boat and the kids started running around on the "island". There were plenty of cat tails there and fun Aunt Jenny decided that they looked like corndogs and thus named that location "Corndog Island". Here is the mascot of Corndog Island:



We went to the Walworth County Fair on Sunday.



We saw lots of farm animals. One guy took this big turkey out of it's cage so that we could get a closer look (Darin got bit!).



The bunnies were a bit more their speed:



The kids always have a great time on all of the rides, but it costs a small fortune. I like to get the family fair photo. This year, Jake is wearing his own Batman hat.



The kids were too tired to walk back to the car, so strong, fun Dad carried them back.



We spent a little time at the beach that afternoon.





And, you can tell by the look on Megan's face that she loves when Jake does this.



After Labor Day, the kids had to start wearing uniforms to school. For some reason, I take a photo of their first uniform day.





On Sept. 8, Megan ran her first 5k. It was the inaugural Girl Scout Cookie Classic 5k. She and Logan were the only two from her troop to participate.



Here we are coming up to the finish. Yes, I'm behind her and not for lack of trying. She and Logan had it all planned out that they were gonna run fast at the end. When the finish line was in sight, Megan put up her hand and said, "I now declare sprinting!". And they took off.



It was such a nice day that we ended up hanging out in Millenium Park for a while and having lunch downtown.



We found this great little garden area behind the bean and just north of the Art Institute. It was like a little oasis in the city.



Jake stood in the water and the Singing Security Guard came over and asked him not to. He was a friendly guy.



Here's another random photo of dress up. I really have no idea what this is all about.



We went to one of the QAS cross country meets to watch Francesca run and Jake ran into his old friend, Sean. This almost looks like an album cover or something - don't you think?



My friend, Jeremy gave us some Ryder Cup tickets and it turned out to be a really nice day.



I snapped some close-up photos with my phone without getting caught!!



Then, we headed back up north and Megan took a great interest in Riggs. That is a dog with a lot of energy! We tried to tire him out on Corndog Island.



This is the moment when Jake gave Aunt Jenny her new nickname. Actually, Megan blurted it out before Jake had a chance and he was mad.....but they began calling her "Aunt Cray Cray". The name stuck.

We had some good lighting that afternoon. Here's a relatively serious look, but such a pretty face <3 <3



He's looking a little older to me here:



And then, on the way back to Chicago, we saw this little guy on the back of a motorcycle at the gas station:



I'm sure I left something out.....but this'll have to do for now!