Lake Livin'

We took full advantage of Jenae and the boys being in town, seeing them two more times before their visit was over.  On Saturday we headed over to Aunt Diane and Uncle Garry's for a fun lake day with the extended family.  Kristin, Cory and PJ came too!  We had a beautiful day for boating and catching up.  On Sunday I had a bridal shower for my friend from work Kate, then spent the rest of the day hanging out and getting things done around the house. While I was at the shower Matt took Luke on a long bike ride in the bike trailer, stopping at an awesome new park, going to Ft. Sheridan Beach and then stopping for lunch.  They had a great bonding day! I tell you, the weeks are going by too fast, I want to enjoy the summer and savor every activity!

All the boys playing ball

Sara and baby Lila

Lukers hanging out with Gram and Grandpa

Went for a dip while out for a boat ride.

My girls!  PJ is an absolute fish!

Cousin Jackson, just a tiny bit younger than Luke, was good at sharing his snacks (although doesn't look so pleased in this picture!)

River and Lennon on the beach, they spent a couple hours swimming with Matt in the lake.

Jackson has quite the hilarious personality

Luke taking a plunge in the hot tub.  Lennon was so sweet to take care of him.

All of Aunt Diane and Uncle Garry's grandkids!

At the shower on Sunday, work friends Connie and Julie

Bride to Be Kate

Luke and I snuck in a last visit with Jenae et al on Thursday night when Dan, Amy and the kids came into town.  Depicted here is Sara reading to the twins and Orrin.

Other news to report:

- The robin's nest in our front yard has resulted in three baby birds hatching over the past couple weeks!  Miracle of life at work by our front stoop!

- Grandpa Emil made the adorable sign for the play set "Fort Dukerson" that looks great!

- Luke is a total monkey, climbing up and on everything he can possibly get his hands and feet on.  This has resulted in some close calls and some real falls.  His pain threshold is amazing, he can completely crash and then just walk it off.  

- Luke is starting to enjoy the pool a little more now.  Despite hating swimming lessons he is beginning to want to be in the pool more and can scoop the water, kick his feet and blow bubbles. This kid could be a potential swimmer yet!

- Another Luke thing is that now almost every time we take his clothes off to change or for bath time Luke wants to stand up on his changing station and try to throw the clothes into the hamper.  If he doesn't make it on the first try he gestures and grunts wildy for me to get him down to retrieve the errant clothes (note- this is his way of communicating anything and everything he wants, by the way) and then wants back up on the changing pad to try to throw again.  Super cute.  

- He gives such sweet hugs, with back pats, and sometimes kisses when so inclined.  It is the best!  

Our strawberry harvest was great this year!  Luke learned how to pick "just the red ones!" after many trial and errors of ripping off all of the unripe berries from the plants.  I think he single-handedly ate every strawberry we got out of that garden this year.  So cute how he would run over there every day to get his loot.

Just relaxing on the swing...

The Dukerson in Fort Dukerson

After just one of the eggs had hatched.