Detroit Lake

Being in Oregon allowed us to spend a day with Uncle Jeff, Aunt Roxane and Raquel playing at Detroit Lake.  It was Lily's first experience being pulled behind the boat on the ski biscuits.  And Chris even tried to wake board.  The weather was great.  The water a little cool.  But a truly great day with the family.

Oregon - Starting it off with Smores

We are now in Oregon for the next 6 weeks.  What a whirlwind it has been.  We are staying in Uncle Dave and Aunt Venita's travel trailer, but spend most of our non-sleeping time inside the house.  Very nice accommodations I would say.  We started out our first weekend with a visit from Chris and Katie and some great smores.

Fishing on Clinton Lake with Uncle Chad

While visiting Illinois, we got the chance to go out fishing with Uncle Chad and Aunt Stef at Clinton Lake.  Lily had a great time (even though we didn't catch any fish).  She even got to drive the boat.

The great Chicago trip with Aunt Jodi

We had a fantastic trip to Chicago with Aunt Jodi for the day.  We rode the Amtrak from Bloomington right into Union Station in downtown Chicago for a mere $14 one way.  We got the chance to eat at Vermillion for lunch and Santorini for dinner, two of our favorite restaurants in Chicago and they were as good as ever.  We did some Michigan Avenue shopping, including bags and bags of caramel popcorn for the family.  And we even rode the water taxi.  The weather was great and the company even better. 

Karli & Lily

Lily loves Karli.

Shrimp Boil

I guess shrimp boils are a Delmarva (Delaware, Maryland, Virginia) thing.  At the end of our 4th of July week we got invited to go to one and had a tasty and awesome time with our friends Dave, Theresa, Madeline and Carol.

Fourth of July Weekend - 2016

We drove over 1100 miles in one day to make it back for 4th of July weekend in Delaware.  Crazy I realize, but Lily was a travelling wonder and the trip was as smooth as we could ask for.  When we arrived after the 17 hour trip, our friends (Don, Holly, Sam and Chloe) had appetizers, drinks and dinner waiting for us.  What more could we ask for.  Oh, we were also joined by our newest neighbors John, Karen and their two girls Katie & Kasey.  Over the course of the weekend we had some great parties with two other families.  We got some kayaking in, despite a fairly rainy weekend.  And we got to spend some good quality time with Sam & Chloe.  We are looking forward to spending the rest of the week in Delaware.

Colored water balloon fights

Watching movies in the parents bed

The amazing Fourth of July crew

(from left to right:  Ava, Lily, Chloe, Sam, Brooke, Ryan, Katie & Lexi)

Bay beach kayak fun

Ice cream party