Unofficial Start to Summer

Ahh. Summer. Just two days ago, it seemed like a foreign concept.

Cooler temps and rain kept us inside for most of Saturday and Sunday, despite a little girl who badly wanted to go outside. Luckily, our party wasn't planned until Monday. Clear the clouds and watch the mercury rise. At 88 degrees without a cloud in the sky, it was a hot but beautiful day to celebrate Memorial Day with our family.

The day started like any holiday should. With a parade. Nora's first official parade (Lee DeWyze's "Coming Home Parade" for American Idol doesn't really count, does it?) Festively dressed, she was anxiously waiting with Daddy for the parade to start.

It's starting! She was attentive the entire time (10 whole minutes!) From the very beginning, she waved at each of the police cars, ambulances, and fire trucks that went by. She danced when the band played and clapped for all the Veterans.

The very reason for this holiday. Thank you to all the service men and women, past and present, that bravely serve our country!

The best part of the parades? The candy! She kept a death clinch on those suckers the rest of the time. Doesn't even know what they are but knows it must be good.

After the parade, it was time for more fun. We had everyone over to our house to enjoy each other's company and a BBQ.

Hot day = splash table

All the Guenther men.

Grilled corn-on-the-cob. If only a picture could also capture aromas. Smelled just like the state fair.

Enjoyed by all.

Dan's 2011 summer drink.

Home-made watermelon sorbet

What kid doesn't like bubbles?

She kicked Dad out of the swing so she could sit by herself.

After a long, hot day in the sun, covered in sunscreen, a refreshing bath is just what the doctor ordered.

Scrubbing those toes!

And finally, time for books (notice the little fireball isn't even sitting... she was like an Energizer bunny)

saying "good night" to all her animals,

and folding our hands for prayers, our Memorial Day celebration comes to an end.

More, Please!

Let's just say she really liked Daddy's homemade spaghetti sauce.

Lilacia Park

I love weekends that are busy with family and fun activities but don't feel like they went by in a flash. This was one of those weekends.

Last year, post lilac season, Dan and I found out about Lilacia Park in Lombard, Illinois.

Just as it sounds, it's a peaceful park that's FULL of - you guessed it - lilac bushes! In case you didn't know - I love lilacs. I could sniff them all day. I think part of their appeal is that they are only around for a few weeks each spring. But anyway - we wrote it down on the calendar as a reminder for this year. So on Saturday, we headed down to Lombard for our first visit to Lilacia Park.

Although the lilacs were just past their peak (last weekend would've been perfect but it was too rainy to go) they still smelled amazing and looked beautiful. And, it was nice to do something out of the ordinary with my hubby and daughter.

They had tons of tulip gardens there, along with many other seasonal flowers along the walk ways. Next year, I'm hoping we'll be able to go during the peek.

Nora walked (or pushed) the entire time. It's a new favorite thing.

She'd push the stroller for a few paces then run to the side of the walkway to take a closer look at flowers. She loved it there.

Then she'd push some more and look to make sure I was coming too.

After the park, lunch, and a nap, it was time to go back outside and enjoy the weather and a snack with Dad.

Despite the bee sting, Rusty stayed out with us to. (Can you see? It's slightly swollen above his eye. Poor guy....)

Sunday, the sun was shining and the temperature was rising. So when we got home from church and the new member reception (Dan and I are shepherds to a couple who just joined) Nora got to experience her first popsicle.

I think it goes without saying that she enjoyed it. Not knowing to bite at times, I sat next to her with a wash cloth and occasionally wiped her down so she wasn't too sticky - but not before I snapped a picture or two.

And what a surprise -- Jeff and Katie were over when Nora awoke from her nap. Her and Uncle Jeff were best buds because he showed her how to use the hose. Once he did that, she wouldn't really leave him alone. "Adin," she kept asking. And with every squeeze of the trigger, it seemed like new.

Now, it's late. Missy is bathed and sleeping soundly. Rusty is zonked out on the floor. Dan is doing some things for work and I'm updating this with a smile on my face. What a weekend! What a life!!

21 Century

Technology surrounds us. So much so, I'm sure most of us take it for granted. Our cell phones are with us where ever we go. I'm sure my children will some day ask, "Mom, what's a land-line?" Most cell phones have your e-mail and the internet right on it so you're always "connected". Computers are getting smaller and smaller (iPads!) Right now, you're looking at a blog - something I didn't know about 10 years ago and never thought I'd be an author of! Technology is so much a part of our lives, we don't think twice about it.

But then you catch your child, alive in this crazy techno world for just shy of 16 months, doing this...

playing with Daddy's old Blackberry while at the computer.

Even trying to use the mouse,

and type on the keyboard.

And when all else fails, just stack a bunch of things.

Makes me wonder what she'll grow up with that I can't even fathom right now. What kinds of things will she roll her eyes at when I ask how to do it. She is a 21st century baby.