4th of July Weekend

What a whirlwind of a weekend it was! And a good one at that.

Destination: Lake Camelot for the annual Guenther-Sowinski Lake weekend. With 10 adults, 3 dogs, and 2 children (which is a smaller group than it could have been) it was a full house. And it's only getting bigger as the years go on!

Here are some of the highlights from the weekend --

The weather was HOT on Friday. Needless to say, it didn't take long after arrival to get our suits on and cool off in the lake.

Even I had to bare the belly and get in.

Can you say Sports Illustrated Swim Suit Edition!?

Rusty couldn't wait to get in. He's a very happy dog when he gets to go swimming.

As you can see, Nora was a very happy camper splashing in the water.

Kojak's family portrait.
Greg, Claire, and Karen

Nora is giving rice cakes to all three of the dogs. Patient Rusty waiting

in the back for his turn. One for Sammy, one for Gunner, one for Rusty

and one for Nora.

Grandpa and Nora

"Can I get one of these?"

Swimming with Daddy.

mmm... who doesn't like chocolate frosting? (besides Daddy)

Enjoying a cupcake with chocolate frosting for Grandma's birthday.

We woke up on Saturday to find out there were major winds during the

night that took our staked-in shade tent out of the ground and put it down

in the water at the end of the neighbor's pier.

Luckily, they were able to get it out.

All the swimming, running, and trying to play with the old dogs can tire a pup out!

It definitely tires Rusty.

Nora was able to get her first boat ride. We are all ready to go.

Greg came along for the occasion.

Captain Karen

It's safe to say, she enjoyed the ride (and only tried to pull the life jacket off

a time or two near the end).

She got more and more brave as the ride went on. First standing with help.

Then letting go of one finger, then the other.

And soon wanting to sit on the seat by herself.

She pointed to everything along the way.

When the ride was over, she discovered all the rocks she could

collect along the path.

Man and man's best friend.

We could see a couple different sets of fireworks over the trees.
This was the best shot at night I could get.

Sunday, Nora was content sitting on a floaty in the shade.

It had a hole in the middle that was filled with water to play and splash in.

Claire was a little fussy and didn't want her mom or her Grandma.

I offered my comforting pregnancy hormones to see if that did the trick.

She fell asleep for about 45 minutes on my belly.

Nora got to spend some more QT with her Godfather before the weekend was over.

Monday, we were back home. We took in Mt. Prospect's 4th of July parade.

She got a lot of suckers. Suckers and Tootsie Rolls are run-of-the-mill here.

They also throw out cookies (from the best local bakery) and mini packages of

wheat thins, and freezy pops to name a few. They take their handouts seriously here.

Completely tuckered, she fell asleep in the car on the way home

from the parade. That's when you know you've had a good weekend.