Home again, home again!

So we've been home for a month. It has taken us that long to recover! I was happy to return to live flowers. We've had a lot of rain in Chicago this summer. The grass is green and the flowers alive, which is terrific, because I have no time to water. This was Ansel out enjoying the grass before suspecting that he's allergic. Yikes!

Elsa loves to help in the garden. I love to ask her to go pick some basil and see if there are any ripe tomatoes for our dinner. We love the summer.

Henry had a couple more baseball games left when we got home. He really enjoyed his first season. It was a great experience. We also had a lot of fun riding our bikes to the park for the practices and games.

The List

As I'm putting this together, I realize that I just am not that good a taking pictures. I have very few pictures to document this trip. On our drive out we made a list of some of the things we wanted to do while visiting Salt Lake.
1. Visit the Alpine slide in Park City:


2. Ride horses:
Funny story--Henry panicked when we got home and Paul was outside riding horses. All of his jeans were in the washer. A cowboy has to ride a horse with jeans on. Fortunately it was really hot outside; Henry had mustered up the courage (the most positive way of looking at the situation) and came outside with totally wet jeans on. He met up with Paul and said, "It's a good thing I have wet jeans on to keep me and the horse cool."
3. Go camping with Grandpa Bob and Co.

4. Visit the castle park:

5. Drive big machinery with Uncle John:

6. Swim at Nana's every day: We did and we have no pictures! Elsa had her first experience almost drowning. It was very traumatic for her and me. She still tells everyone she sees or meets since the trip the story. It goes something like this. "I went underwater at my Nana's house and almost drowned. Kaylie my friend saved me and pulled me out (Kaylie is three too)! My mom said Kaylie is a hero." She is! Thanks Kaylie!
We had such a great time in Salt Lake. We saw all our family and friends and just had a wonderful time. Thanks to all of you who made it so special for my children. Too much time will pass before we see you all again.

Driving

Like I mentioned in the previous blog, the kids did a tremendous job entertaining themselves in the car. We told stories of "Fitz" the giant, did a lot of drawing and reading and watched a movie or two. Henry and Elsa commandeered the back with numerous treasures from the pit stops at McDonalds. Wow.
Ansel entertained himself and us by humming with his paci in his mouth backwards.

Elsa mastered the seat belt, which has earned her a permanent place in back with Henry.

The Road Trip

So we se had a most fabulous road trip. I had been apprehensive about so many hours in the car, but why? No one imploded, and I think the kids actually enjoyed some real chill time. I did. Greg did all of the driving.
The first day we drove about eleven hours to Merino, Colorado to visit my Granny and Grandpa Glenn. My parents had already planned a trip to visit-so we got a bonus-Grandma and Grandpa Mueller.
Merino was a great way to start our vacation. It was very relaxing. We spent a lot of time chatting and playing baseball with Henry.


Elsa, Me, Granny and Mom.


Grandpa and "The Chubbers"

We're back!

Summer's over! Henry will begin Kindergarten on Monday! What a change! Elsa starts pre-school sometime after Labor Day--I have to figure out when. It will be good to have some real structure again. The kids are looking forward to school and soccer. So what did we do during our time off? We took many friends to our favorite spot--the Morton Arboretum and Henry played baseball and we visited water parks and made a three-week road trip to Colorado and Utah. We had lot's of fun being together. I'm going to miss those little banshees while they're at school.


Elsa, Ansel and Henry at Great-Granny Ann's house in Colorado.