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!