BROWNIE SCOUT TRIP TO THE ZOO

This past Saturday our new Brownie Troop went to the St. Louis Zoo to earn a try-it badge. The girls had fun and learned a lot about animals, their habitats and the living world around them. They had 4 activities to complete, including making a "next buddy" for birds and also a scavenger hunt. It was a long day, but a fun one!

Making a next buddy

Mom and Emily outside the Penquins and Puffins house

LABOR DAY WEEKEND 2010

I've been behind up updating the blog, so I will try and catch up! Labor Day weekend we went to Marissa to relax, cook out and take Papa's boat out on the lake. The weather was beautiful and we had a great time. Of course the kids always like driving Papa's golf cart the best!

Papa's new boat!
Gorgeous night!

ILLINOIS STATE FAIR

We took Mom and Don to the State Fair last Saturday. We were excited to get a chance to see (and pose with!) the Stanley Cup, which the Chicago Blackhawks won most recently. It was super hot, but we had our share of corn dogs, cheese curds, funnel cakes and lemonade shake-ups!

Baby cow trying to get milk from Don's little finger!
Don and Mom with Freddie, the Springfield Sliders mascot

Enjoying a beer, but not enjoying the extemely loud bad music, in the Bud tent!

Grandma and the kids

Butter Cow!

Ready to leave after a fun day at the fair!

MICHIGAN RELATIVES

At Auntie and Uncle Al's house in Muskegon! It was great to see them and all Rob's cousins (and their kids too!)

Rob with cousins, Craig, Lynn and Kevin

Rob and his mom

Jen, Auntie, Lynn and Mom

Adam, Brandi and Auntie...at Lynn's house for pizza

CRAIG'S CRUISERS

On our way to Muskegon we stopped at Craig's Cruisers, which was awesome. We rode go-karts and Adam got to spend time in the batting cages. We went to the one in Muskegon the next day and rode more go-karts, played mini golf and hung out at the video arcade. This place rocked!

HOLLAND AND SAUGATUCK, MICHIGAN

After leaving the Windy City, we started the 2nd leg of our vacation, which was going to Michigan to visit Rob's side of the family. First though, we stopped in Saugatuck to have a drink, look at the big boats and of course we couldn't leave without getting an ice cream cone and fudge to go!

Michigan Welcome Center Saugatuck

Our hotel in Holland - it had the best pool, hot tub and game room ever!

FINALLY...AMERICAN GIRL PLACE!

Emily and I had been waiting a loooong time to go to American Girl Place at Water Tower, so we were very excited to finally get there. We told the boys to go look around somewhere else because we were going to be there awhile!

Lanie, the new doll
My very own American girl!