Summer Vay-Cay--Mostly Photos Edition Part II

Kicking myself for not taking photos of my parents, my older sister and her beau, or many pics with my younger sister....or pics of us with my friend Shannon and her family....sighs! But here's the rest of my favorites from what was captured on our camera:

Little Emma on the Prairie





We enjoyed our yearly visit to COSI, the amazing hands-on science museum in Columbus, OH. Auntie Laurel went with us.

(Excuse the fat rolls....but this pic was the best of the bunch.) :)


Em enjoyed playing in the "Kid Space" water area




Her water smock makes it look like she's going to Hogwarts. :)








Em thought it was cool to go inside this submarine.




My college friend Michelle hosted a cook-out at her house, where we were able to catch up with many of our friends from Ohio U.

Shannon (Michelle's daughter) and Emma


Molly's son Graham


Kasy with her youngest son, Trace.


Emma enjoyed playing on the Slip-0n-Slide--her first encounter using one.


Me and Michelle ("assigned" roommates at OU, but friends for life!)


Molly and I---pals since freshman year at OU


OU Girls: Sharon, Michelle, Shelly, Me, Molly, Kasy, Randie


I attended the "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II" movie with my sister Laurel and DH. LOVED IT!!!!!!!!!!







Emma, DH, and I went to the amazing Ohio Theater with my parents. Located in downtown Columbus, the theater shows old movies on weekends during the summer. Emma was fascinated with the organ player who played before the movie and during intermission. We saw "The Sound of Music." Neat to see one of my favs on the big screen! Pics below are of the gorgeous theater:







Grandpa took Emma to see the organist up close.


Emmaism: in the middle of the movie Emma leaned over, "Is that man STILL in the stage?" regarding the organist whose organ lowered into the stage before the movie started. I had to explain that he has a hallway underneath the stage to get out... too funny!

Fashion Show:
For many years, Emma has enjoyed playing with my parents' neighbors' children. This year she had multiple playdates with their 4-year-old neighbor, Rachel. A highlight of summer was when the girls created tickets and put on a "Fashion Show" for us using the play-clothes from Grandma's basement.

Emma---making pirate clothes look chique.


Rachel's princess attire.


Cracks me up...


Emma's Chinese/pirate/beaded necklace look

Edit: Per her request, I just "show(ed) our vacation pictures" to Emma. She was upset stating, "I. AM. NOT A PIRATE!" Duly noted.


Bring on the pink!


A bit of flair


The girls at the end of the show. :)


Em was excited to bike ride at my parents' house. The training wheels on this bike are a lot higher than those she is used to. With any luck, we'll be taking the training wheels off soon. (Though between high heat and lots of rainy afternoons, we haven't done much bike riding this summer!) (And YES we have a helmet at our house, but didn't have one for this bike at my parents....no bad parenting comments, please!)


Candid of me with my sister Laurel. We had many board-game nights while in Ohio. I <3 board games! :)

We bring our dog with us when we visit my parents. (Boarding large dogs costs nearly $100 a day!) He LOVES the fresh country air and playing with the dogs that belong to my parents' neighbors. Below: Viggo and Emma chillin' in Grandma and Grandpa's living room


We had a great trip!

Summer Vay-Cay--Mostly Photos Edition

Today is my 3 year blogoversary. Thanks to those who continue to read and offer comments of love and support, I appreciate you!

June: At the end of June my sister Laurel visited for a few days. We attended Emma's end of the year dance recital. Photography and video weren't allowed inside the actual auditorium, but here are some cute pics that I captured before dress rehearsal (picture ballet shoes instead of C.rocs and before the recital)


















And the marquee at the theater the night of the rehearsal:



The rest of the week was spent on adventures: paddle boating (check out our scary story in my last post,) going to the beach, and hanging out. Auntie Laurel also taught Emma how to blow a bubble-gum bubble:



July: Emma and I then traveled with Laurel to Wisconsin (with a one-night pit stop in Ohio) in order to visit with our extended family there. We had a fabulous time visiting our cousins, attending a large family reunion, and getting a "tour" of sites around the city where my dad grew up courtesy of our Aunt Nan who acted as an amazing tour guide.

While Laurel spent a day visiting a high school buddy who now lives in Green Bay, Emma and I were able to visit the Betty Brinn Children's Museum in Milwaukee with my 2 cousins, and 4 of my first-cousins-once removed (I think---that's what my first cousin's children would be, right?)

We spent much of our time at the museum exploring the "Home Town" area where the kiddos could try out a variety of careers...


News Casting (Kyle and Taylor)


Camera Crew (Ashley)


Weather Girls (Taylor and Brittany)


Bank Teller (Em)


Postal Workers (Em and Brittany)



Bus Riders (Driven by Taylor)



Kyle enjoyed "working" at the supermarket deli


Ashley and Emma worked as auto mechanics.


Brittany and Taylor worked at a construction site.


Ashely, Kyle, and Em in the "backyard playground" area


The girls really enjoyed the arts and crafts center at the museum.


Kyle and Em watched a movie and relaxed at my Aunt Nan's house.


The next day my cousin Nicole and Aunt Nan drove Laurel and I around to see local Racine sites:

The home my Dad and his sibling were raised in.

We also took Emma bowling--her first time!

Emma with 2nd cousins Kyle, Brittany, and Ashley


Em gets ready for a roll...


This pic cracks me up...they didn't pose. (Em and Kyle are both 6 and played together wonderfully during our visit!)


Emma at the July 4th parade


Our last day in WI we ate lunch at Kewpee's (one of only 2 Kewpee diners still existing in the U.S.)
Left: Laurel, Emma, Ashley Right: Kyle, Aimee, Brittany






The farm house my grandma (Dad's mom) grew up in.



Back: Nicole, Me, Rachel, Laurel
Front: Taylor, Emma


Laurel, Emma and I stayed at the home of my cousin Nicole and her husband. They are a doggie-shelter house and have 8 rescue dogs currently living with them. Emma LOVED playing with all the pups!

After Wisconsin, we returned for 2 weeks in Ohio (where DH joined us for our annual family vacation.)


My hometown had a "Chalk on the Walk" contest Emma participated in.




She won this ginormous cupcake in a game at the Chalk on the Walk event.

Whew! That's all for now....will finish posting in a day or so. Happy summer everyone!