Ian - the next artist of the family?

Today was the Kenosha Festival of Arts and Flowers in one of Kenosha's parks. Back at the end of school - we received an invite to the festival stating that one of Ian's art pieces would be in the festival. Ian wasn't sure which piece. We were excited - only one other kid in his class had a piece in the show. We went today and saw that the piece was his caterpillar made from an egg carton.



All of the little kids got "awards of merit" ribbons. Ian was excited about that. He was a little shy when we took his picture and when the reporter for the Kenosha News interviewed him. The article is at:

www.kenoshanews.com/article_comments/view_comments.php?articleNum=3264801

Our little artist! Ian has told us for a couple of months now that he wants to be an artist when he grows up. Maybe he can be. :)

Paige's First Birthday!

Hard to believe Paige is already one year old! Such a big girl! She loved her cake and presents - she is such a happy little girl.



Paige and Sophia loved the Elmo cakes.



Sophia helped Paige open her presents.




Paige loved her "Blueberry Muffin" afghan from Grandma Hilligoss.

Ian's new room

Before we went on vacation, Ryan had redone Ian's room to his specifications. Green walls with a blue stripe and gray wood floors. All was ready for a new bed. After the Michigan trip we finally received the bed through the mail. It is a low loft bed style with desk and dresser underneath. He loves it! He stayed in the bed most of the day after Ryan assembled it. Here are the pictures:





I just want to point out that everything was Ian's choice. :) He loves color - "white is boring". Check out his rug:

Michigan Trip - Day Four and Five

The next two days were visiting Ryan's family. We went mini-golfing with Steve and Brenda. Lots of holes-in-one for everyone.





Next it was off to a Lake Michigan beach to swim (me) and play in the sand (Ian). Ian said the water was "too cold!" I say he just needs to toughen up. I have been swimming in Lake Michigan since I was a kid. No warm pool for me!





Elaine and Gary met us at the beach and then we all went to see Grandpa Dulinski.

The next day it was a ride back home through Chicago and the horrible construction. Ugh. Can't go anywhere without hitting some construction.

Michigan Trip - Day Three

Day three in Michigan was a trip over to the Sleeping Bear Dunes. We took the dune overlook trail (Ian - "boring") and then we went to the dune climb. The dune is about 110 feet and you get to climb up and down it. Ian's eyes lit up. He got so excited! He did the dune climb twice. More than we did! He said it was like a giant sandbox and that he would love to have one in the backyard. Ha! :)




Going up!



Made it!


Going Down! (and repeat) - that could have gone on all day.





After the dunes, we finally made it to Muskegon in time to relax and then to go to Muskegon Lake to watch the fireworks. Very cool to watch fireworks right next to a lake.

Michigan Trip - Day Two

From Manistique, we visited Tahquamenon Falls on the way to the Mackinac Bridge. Ian loved running up and down the many steps to see the falls. Us not so much. Need to start exercising more! :)

Once we crossed the bridge into Lower Michigan we stopped over to see our good friend Chris and his Mom in Roger's City. It was great to see them both. We hadn't seen them since Ian's baptism. Way too long - wish we lived closer so we could visit more.

That night we stayed in Gaylord so Ian could swim in a pool - very important to have a pool!

Michigan Trip - Day One

For Fourth of July Weekend we decided to travel to Michigan to visit Ryan's family. We went the long way up through Wisconsin and across the Upper Peninsula of Michigan before going down to Muskegon.

Our first day we made it to Manistique. We visited Fayette, an old industrial town, and the Big Spring (Kitch-iti-Kipi).

Ian surprised us by liking the old buildings at Fayette. He wanted to go into every building. I think he was just happy to be out of the car. :)

Ian's favorite part of that day's trip was seeing a huge snake coiling itself in and around an old building's foundation. Ryan stayed far back from that sight!






Next was the Big Spring. Very cool in a creepy kind of way. It looks like a pool that someone put dead trees and fish in.






Then on to Manistique where we spent the night. Manistique was doing some promotion where every business had a huge decorated moose in front of it. My favorite was the Big Boy Moose. Too funny!