Summer Fun

Here is a blog summing up the last month around here. Starting with this picture of dad and Rachel with the 3 layer chocolate cake she made for him for his birthday. It was unbelievable - and that is before adding the homemade raspberry sauce!

Joe and Ethan swimming in my parent's pool.

I have lived in Springfield for 10 years now, and we had yet to make it to the Lincoln Presidential Museum. We finally corrected that oversight in July. Here is Ethan right at home with the Lincoln family. This was at the beginning of our visit. At the end, both kids were literally running in circles playing hide and seek directly around the original Gettysburg Address, Lincoln's Top Hot, and Lincoln's blood stained gloves from the night he was assassinated. That was a sure sign that it was time to go.

Olivia and Ethan playing in Mrs. Lincoln's Attic.

Ethan and Olivia swimming with grammy and grandpa Brett in their hotel pool (they stayed in Springfield during Brennan's Muni run).

We finally made it to Busch Stadium in July - the latest in the season ever for my first game. Olivia and Ethan made homemade signs to hold up during the game. Olivia's says "Go Cardinals" with the Cubs crossed out (even though it was not a Cubs game we were still proud of her for knowing that they still stink).

Olivia printed "Go Cardinals" for Ethan, and then he added his own "words".

Ethan and Joe watching batting practice.

During our game we were lucky enough to watch the Cardinals retire Whitey Herzog's jersey number. It is always a treat (for adults and kids!) when the Clydesdales are brought out!

The kids displaying their ladybug cake.

Joe turned 34 in August this year and requested a Jello cake (one of his favorite summer treats). The kids were more than willing to help blow out the candles!

And the State Fair. We have attended twice thus far (it continues until August 22), and I think that that is enough for us. Here are the kids with the Butter Cow (displayed with butter corn this year).

Ice cream from the Dairy Building. Ethan was a complete sticky mess after he finished his cone!

Time to milk a cow! Both kids were brave enough to milk it this year (Ethan just watched last year). It is always an education for them when they see where their milk comes from!

We always make a point of walking through the animal barns each year. The kids especially enjoyed seeing the pigs this year as they were very very loud with their squealing and grunting (the pigs not the kids).

Olivia checking out the sheep. We also saw the cows and some horses.

Much of our time was spent in Conservation World this year. These picture opportunities were everywhere in this area so I will not bore you with ALL of them - just the cutest two.

We walked through the baby pig shed and received a hat. Here is Olivia doing a pig pose (yeah, I don't see the resemblance either).

Thank goodness Olivia was old enough to ride the giant slide by herself this year - it is an uncomfortable ride that neither Joe nor I wanted to do! Olivia is on the very far left.

Probably Olivia's last year riding the very little kids rides - she was a bit too tall to ride them this year but the workers looked the other way for her.

Ethan driving his car.

Ethan riding the boats.

Joe and Ethan in the petting zoo feeding Ethan's favorite animal ever - the camel.

Olivia feeding the very greedy goats.

Ethan at the entrance to the Sky Ride.

Mmmmm, mini donuts (taken from the Sky Ride). I still love watching the little donut machine inside the stand.

Ethan and I enjoying the ride.