Balloon Glow

We went to the Forest Park Balloon Glow last night. It was even more crowded than I expected but also a lot cooler than I remembered. We went down early and had a picnic dinner. Close to 7, we started walking towards the balloons. They were starting to raise all of them and we were able to get so close and walk around them while this was happening. You could even feel the heat of the fire.

Ryan and I may have been more impressed than Wade, but he did enjoy looking up and waving at the balloons.

It was so pretty when the actual 'glow' started. The area around the balloons got more crowded and it was time for us to head home. Someone had already stayed up past his bedtime.

Elephant Rocks State Park

Ryan and I went hiking at Elephant Rocks during our first month of dating. I have fond memories of that trip and we've always talked about going back. Well it took us 7 years, but we finally did it. It rained almost the entire way there, so we stopped at the Missouri Mines State Historic Site to wait out the rain. That was about as exciting as it sounds. Ryan had to actually listen to the mining veteran speak while I chased Wade around.

Such a boy...climbing on the heavy equipment was required.

Wade and Mom at Elephant Rocks

Obviously they are holding that rock up.

We had a picnic at Elephant Rocks and after our hike, we stopped by Johnson's Shut Ins. I couldn't tell too much difference since the dam break, but I definitely want to go back sometime with our swimming suits. This time we just walked the trail and looked at every one else having fun.

Summer Fun

Now that it's not so hot, we finally tried out our bike trailer. Wade was a little unsure (mostly because his helmet falls over his eyes) but didn't cry or get upset. Ryan had a flat tire, so he borrowed my bike here, but hopefully the three of us can go together soon.

 On Saturday we went to Suson Park for a picnic lunch and to Laumeier Sculpture Park after dinner.

Yes, that's walking, folks! I haven't mentioned it yet because while Wade has been taking steps for 2 months, he was usually choosing crawling as his preferred mode of transportation.

Our entire family had fun at Laumeier Sculpture Park's "Dog Days of Summer" exhibit/trail.

Wade loved his first popsicle.

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Our Trip to Southwestern Michigan

We've always liked getting away for a second vacation to a cooler climate before Ryan goes back to school. This year we headed to southwestern Michigan, specifically South Haven. We left home last Tuesday and stayed halfway in Pontiac, Illinois. On Wednesday we stopped along the way for a picnic lunch at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and arrived at the Van Buren State Park campground mid-afternoon. We stayed there for two nights, exploring the town, playing at the beach, and picking blueberries. Ryan's college friend & roommate, Storm Huse, his wife, Katie, and their son, Owen met up with us at the South Haven/Covert KOA campground. We hit the beach again, went out for ice cream and walked around Saugatuck. The next day we visited Dutch Village, a family fun park, in Holland, Michigan. The Huses left after lunch and we went out to dinner for our final night. Sunday we had about a 7 hour drive home, made a little longer with a lunch stop at my sister's house in Indiana. It's always good to return home, but we'll miss the cooler weather and the vacation lifestyle as it's back to work time...for both of us. Ryan's first official day back is this Thursday, August 11.

U-Pick Blueberries, or in Wade's case, U-Eat Blueberries

Playing at Lake Michigan was very fun!

At Dutch Village in Holland, MI with the Huse Family

Our only family picture from the trip! Another shot at Dutch Village

As always, it was a great trip. We love to travel and were able to stick a new pin in our big US wall map with this vacation.

15 Months Old

Wade was 15 months old last week and yesterday he had his 15th month check-up at the doctor. He weighed in at 30 pounds, 9 ounces and is measuring 34 inches long. What really blows my mind is that he grew 4 inches in 3 months!
We've been doing our best to enjoy what's left of summer. Since Ryan's first day back is only a month away, it seems like it's slipping away quickly.

Our new baby pool - complete with slide and sprinkler!

The Woods joined us at the Brueckmanns' pool for an afternoon of fun.

And so did the Haarmanns. Here are Dylan and Jackson enjoying snow cones.

Sometimes it's nice to have a pool your own size.

A Great Family Vacation

Wade, Ryan, and I went to Wyoming for 10 days. We left on June 25 and spent 3 days in Jackson, WY. After exploring Jackson Hole and Grand Teton National Park, we (along with Grandpa and Grandma) headed to Yellowstone National Park. We met up with my sister's family and spent 6 nights in the park before returning to Jackson to fly home.


Signal Mountain, Grand Teton National Park



Hidden Falls, Grand Teton National Park

 

On top of the mountain after riding the Jackson Hole Gondola




Maybe I got too close on this one! 
Yellowstone National Park



One of 5 bears that we spotted (safely from the car) in Yellowstone



The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone




Beehive Geyser that we "accidentally" saw go off...the geyser nerds made us stop as we unknowingly tried to walk by (before the eruption)...It was taller and more powerful than Old Faithful but its eruption times are unpredictable. We felt lucky and excited to see, hear, and feel it.

 

Back at Grand Teton NP on the way to the airport





One big, happy family

We had a great trip! Wade was an amazing and easygoing traveler who adjusted well to whatever schedule we threw at him. He loved watching wildlife and waterfalls and playing with his cousins (and the rest of the family too).

I polled everyone to find out what their favorite part of the trip was.  Answers included: wildlife viewing at Lamar Valley, seeing bears up close, white water rafting on the Yellowstone River in Montana, the Beehive Geyser, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and spending time with the people I love the most (that was Grandma's, of course).

Thank you to my mom and dad for planning (and paying) for this amazing vacation! Thanks also to my wonderful sister, brother-in-law, and nephews for spending time with us.

A Trip to Rend Lake

We tentatively set a goal of camping once per month this summer and our June camping trip happened to also fall on my birthday. Not a bad way to spend a birthday, at least in my opinion. Our campsite was a revolving door of sorts...first we camped with Grandma and Grandpa Lesinger. They actually arrived on Thursday, while we showed up on Friday afternoon. On Saturday morning, the Seneczyns arrived to spend the day and Grandma and Grandpa left. The Seneczyns left once the kiddos were ready for naptime and when Wade woke up, the Haarmanns were setting up camp. There were lots of fun people to play with at all times!

Wade is a little bigger than last time we used this backpack.

He loved playing and splashing in the waves at the lake.