Fly my son, spread your wings...

Weird...that is how it feels to drop off your child at College.  I didn't cry, Tom got choked up...it is weird to know that he is gone....gone to start a new chapter in his life.

The morning started like this:

for the life of me I can't figure out why he sleeps here, he has a nice big bed, but he loves to sleep on the couch...

NO, don't take my picture 

loading up the submo... 

last pictures 

unlocking his room for the first time 

looking at the room, wow is it small

we are renting this "loft" system for the bed,

that way the 2 boys have more room on the ground

but, man is it tight to the ceiling  

after putting the futon together 

out in front of his dorm,

he is on the 11th floor

facing the back 

last goodbyes of the day... 

awwwww

I almost lost it here... 

nother one Tywer, nother kiss Tywer

(Ava Grace talking to her biggest bro)

Lord, I pray that you watch over Tyler, protect him, keep him grounded in you.  Lord, please place Tyler with the right group of friends and keep him from straying.  I pray that he will continue to be a man of God, worthy of the fight.  Amen.

Midevil Times Fun

Tom wanted to take the kiddos to Midevil Times Castle and watch the show.  We had been there before when the boys were younger.  We also took my parents and Toms mom along for the fun.

The family before we left:

our blue table 

Ava loved it

she kept her arm around Tom

when she didn't have her arm around Tom

she waved her flag

She will be a good cheerleader

she would yell, Go Blue 

watching and taking it all in yelling

horsey, Go Blue

I didn't know if a girl would like this show, but it is fun and very entertaining.

A trip to the zoo

I took my parents, Andrew and Ava to the beautiful Brookfield Zoo the other day.  It was an absolutely beautiful day out.  Andrew was such a big help in showing Ava all the animals and making sure she saw everything.  While it is summer Brookfield Zoo has an open air butterfly garden and you can walk thru and see the butterflies flying around.  Andrew was even lucky enough to have one land on him.

this butterfly landed right on Andrew 

a zebra clad girl, looking a zebra 

this brown bear came right up to the window

he showed us his teeth 

this polar bear gave us a great show

he swam right up to the glass also

awww, so cute 



Another fun weekend

We have been able to use our lake house so much this year.  The weather has been outstanding!  The company has been wonderful!  My cup overfloweth!

Sara Water Skiing 

Kelly and Sally, knee boarding 

fighting on the knee board 

Ava and Sara 

first time going knee boarding 

Nathan 

I'll spot 

hit it, go faster! 

Auntie Ingrid, Chloe and Sara 

Nathan, King of the tube 

Ava getting a present

sticker books, Love it!

Jacob, not wanting to get wet! 

My beached Ava, loving the water 

even Lexi got a tube ride! 

2nd time knee boarding 

relaxing 

Ava and Grammy,

going in for a nap

its tiring all this water stuff

Trevors catfish 

our traditional Dairy Dream stop 

What a fun weekend!