Big, Big Boy . . .

...Sammy is 2 and we've been celebrating the season with backyard baseball birthday parties,campfires with friends, smores and backyard campouts. Welcome fall!

Made it through the night outside!

A snuggle next to the fire

You decide.

Smores!

A warm and toasty close to Sammy's birthday party...

All aboard!

Birthday Boy!Big, Big Brother

2nd Birthday, 2nd Haircut

Last moments of summer at the lake...

One final small, but mighty road trip...and school begins!

Henry started school..we went to Chicago for a whirlwind weekend of fun...Mama started school...Sam started school and finally, Daddy started school. Bring it on!

first day of Pre-K

Libby

Mrs. Hlade

Mr. Mike and Libby

Air and Water Show...Lake Michigan...Chicago

Millennium Park
The Bean!




train ride!


hot summer night in Chicago...
...doesn't get much better.

Uncle T and Aunt E at Two Toots?!


Sammy's first day

On the Road Again, part 3: Buffalo, NY

Back in the US (scroll all the way down for parts 1 and 2), we spent a long weekend in Buffalo, NY where Grandma and Grandpa Beckman grew up, met and were married. The weekend involved sampling (or devouring) Buffalo's famous cuisine, tours of childhood homes and favorite places and lots of wonderful stories. The all-day family reunion at the park was the perfect way to wrap-up the trip.

Check back next week for first day of school pics...

Ted's Hot Dogs

one of the best meals I've ever had...


...beef on weck.

Aunt E and Uncle T

we love vacation!

On the Road Again, part 2: Niagara on the Lake

We left the cottage on Sunday morning and spent the day cruising with the windows down along the North shore of Lake Erie. It was beautiful! Orchards and fresh fruit stands decorated the pristine countryside...we loaded up on fresh peaches, tomatoes, and sweet corn. For lunch we found the local dive we'd been hoping for: Mackies...famous since 1911 for Orangeade and fresh-cut fries... and right on the beach. After a great day of driving we arrived at Niagara on the Lake for a week of fun with all of the Beckmans. Bike trips, pool time, waterfalls and good food filled four action-packed days with family. Thanks, Grandma and Grandpa Beckman!

Lake Erie

Mackies

Orangeade, of course

before the 16 mile ride to Niagara Falls...

cousins!the Falls...and a nervous Mama

On the Road Again, part 1: the cottage

First stop on our 10 day roadtrip was Lake St. Claire in Ontario, Canada to visit dear friends Ruth, Aaron and Ralphie. We enjoyed lovely accomodations on the water, delicious treats prepared (and grilled) with love and lots of play-time, little boy style....with cars, trains, bad guys and water fights. The views were breathtaking, the breeze was fresh as it gently blew through the open windows as we slept and the company was superb. And let's not forget the butter tarts...

longest game of peek-a-boo ever...in this position for the entire dinner

Ralphie

giant squirters!

Lake St. Claire

breakfast at the cottage...Kaleniecki style