Family Birthday Party

Lauren turned 8 years old on June 27. However, with vacations and other plans this was the first open weekend we had to have a family celebration.

We all went over to Janine and Don's home for dinner, cake and ice cream and of course swimming. Lauren got some great gifts. We skipped having a friends party this year, but I promised her one again next year. Even though she didn't have a friends party, hanging out with her cousins is one of her favorite things to do, so she was happy tonight. It has been awhile since we all got together so it was a nice to have a family night.

Happy Birthday (again) Lauren.

Church Camp 2011 (Camp 34)

Lauren went to church for the first time this summer. It was for kids going into 3rd and 4th grade. It started on Friday afternoon and they come home on Sunday afternoon. The camp was at Prescott Pines. (That is where the church I grew up in had camp a few different times.)

Lauren had a great time. She told me that they went on the zip line, went swimming, did crafts, went on hikes, played games and so much more. She told me she can't wait until next year. I am so happy that she had a great time.

These pictures were emailed to me from the camp director.

Chicago Vacation - Day 11

The last day in Chicago started with a powerful storm that past through Chicago. It only lasted a short time but there was a lot of damage done around town. Ella had swim lessons and Lauren had a special appointment at the hair salon. After dropping Ella and Kim off Lauren and I went to Lauren's appointment to get hair feathers. Lauren has been begging me all summer to get some hair feather. So, on our last day Lauren got her feathers. They are not really noticeable but she loves them It was a great way to end our vacation.

After swim lessons and the feather appointment we went to lunch then the airport. It was a wonderful vacation.

Chicago Vacation - Day 10

On the 10th and final full day in Chicago we did all things China. We started the day with dim sum in Chinatown. Lauren loved the chicken and sticky rice. I think she eat 3 helpings of it. Then we walked around Chinatown for a little while. We then made a quick stop at the American Girl Place to replace some broken glasses. Then on to Navy Pier.

There we wandered around the pier and even watched a pirate show before meeting some friends for a Chinese Circus show. It was a great show the girls just loved it. After the show we went on the Ferris wheel. At first Lauren was scared but once on she realized that it goes very slow and she was fine. It is a great place to see the city below. We went on this 5 years ago when Ella as 1 and Lauren was 3. I will posted some pictures from them also.

After the ride we had to stop and get some Garrett's popcorn. So good!! Then we went home to relax and pack for our flight home the next day.

Chicago Vacation - Day 9

Day 9 started very early with our annual pictures. Since Lauren and Ella have birthdays within a few weeks of each other we can get their birthday pictures taken at the same sitting. We usually try to have the girls in matching outfits and then we usually change them into other outfits. This year we had outfits that we thought we were going to use, but a few days before the pictures we found the colorful dresses at the zoo and thought they were so cute and would be perfect for the pictures. I think they look great. They are so colorful and fun they were great for the pistures. (Who knows what you can find at the zoo!!)

After pictures we tried to go to the CHI reunion but it did seem very fun so we went home and went swimming. The girls loved that and to our surprise Eleanor and her friend were there. It was a fun afternoon. That evening Kim and I were able to go out to dinner and the girls stayed with a babysitter.