We Love Summer!

Ah, summer. It's the best. We've been having some fantastic weather in Chicago, and we sure made the most of it this week. New parks, a quick trip to Iowa for the 4th of July, pools, the zoo, ice cream. In this family, we don't waste the day:)

She's ready for her piano lesson! Too bad she has to wait a few more years:)

Putting a travel pillow on Grandpa Al.

Practicing ball with Ava.

Play dough party on the deck.

Ella did a fashion show of Ava's old dresses.

Jack made a double-decker pizza slice.

The Brookfield Zoo.

These baby gorilla siblings were playing just like human siblings!

Ice cream at Scooter's.

A trip to Maggie Daley park, Jack's favorite!

This park had a very cool nature space.

A park picnic.

Ella's "before" hair cut. 

After!

Water balloon fight!

4th of July

Beach time at Lake Delhi.

Road trippin'

Ella and I got to spend some solo time together one afternoon (thanks, Abbie!). We went swimming, picked out a new book at the toy store, and enjoyed fro-yo.

She couldn't have fit more in this cup. And she ate it all.

It's another long one, with hits from the last day of school, a trip to Iowa, and a weekend with visitors.

Abbie babysat Maeve while we enjoyed a Cubs game with visiting friends. She captured some great moments:)

Selfies!

Another selfie, this time with my big girl on the last day of first grade.

Last day of school with her besties!

Ella's teacher and her best bud.

I love seeing Ella read to her siblings.

We spent a week in Iowa at Grandma and Papa C's. Aunt Abby, Maya, and Lucy were also visiting. So much cousin fun!

Ella loved making Lucy smile.

Maya sure loved having her big cousins around. It was so sweet.

These two were quite the pair. Best buds, unless they were fighting over the same toy. Two-year-olds!

The gang at lunch.

Swimming at the local pool.

Farm time.

Checking out the newest foals.

More swimming!

Jack and Dale, Sam's dog, doing some male bonding.

Carnival rides at a local county fair. 

A trip to Beed's Lake to see the dam.

Back in Chicago, a Cubs game with visiting friends.

Beach time!

Later in the day, we stopped by our neighbor's birthday party, where there was an exotic animal show. Yes, that's a python around Ella's neck!

Jeritt took the girls to Dick's Sporting Goods to buy new bike helmets.

Jack's shopping trip was to Menards for another pipe.