4th of July 2022

The 4th of July was both good and bad in 2022. We had a wonderful time at the 4th of July parade in Lake Bluff, and were very much looking forward to the Lake Forest Fireworks party later that day (it had been canceled because of COVID the last two years), but right as our parade was ending we learned that there had been a shooter at the neighboring Highland Park, IL 4th of July parade.  Just one town south of Lake Forest, we share a border.  Many people just enjoying their 4th of July were killed and injured, and the shooter was still at large.  We went back to our house shaken up, and later that day Lake Forest canceled the fireworks event out of caution.  We ended up going to the McCarney's house for dinner since the fireworks weren't happening.  Just one street away from the McCarney's house, though, the shooter was apprehended that evening. While we were there!  What are the chances?  We watched the helicopters from the front of their yard and some of the people walked over the burm to try and see what was happening.  It was surreal.  So glad that he was caught before he could hurt anybody else.  I can't take all these shootings.  What is wrong with America?!  Terrible.  So terrible.  No civilian needs an assault rifle.  Despite the sad event, we did our best to make the weekend fun for the kids.  We did a lot of great summer things - and it is always a pleasure to have days off of work to enjoy the weather and activities with my family and friends.

Happy 3rd Birthday to Otto!

Matt and I took the boat down to Northerly Island to see the Jack Johnson concert.  So fun!

Headed up to WI for a visit in the oasis that is Mom and Dad's backyard in the summer

Sprinkler fun

Sunbathing

All the flowers are beautiful!

Badminton

Tropical drinks

Cocktails and hors d'oerves 

Croquet

A perfect summer dinner - brats and corn on the cob

Fire and s'mores 

Beautiful sunset

On the 3rd we went to the Lake Forest Club 4th of July party

Some sparklers and fireworks at home

Matt getting the chairs ready for viewing the nearby Onwentsia Club fireworks display from our roof

Playing Heads Up while we waited for the fireworks to start

4th of July picnic at the Murrill's house in Lake Bluff

Mark and Matt

Cute photo opp spot in front of their house

Claire was IN the parade with her soccer team

Claire walking by!

We took the scooters up there and parked in my friend Brittany's driveway

At the McCarney's house later that evening

More home fireworks fun

Where the Highland Park shooter was captured is on our way home from the McCarneys.  It was so crazy.

We decided to get out of town and away from the scary/yuck of the shooter incident to the calm utopia of our lake house.

People were letting off fireworks there too - but the kids had already gone to bed so they didn't see them.

They were really amazing for a private display

Then some storms came in and the lightning show was just as amazing!

Lounging around the lake house on the 5th was relaxing

Scrabble time

We tried a new restaurant at a yacht club Matt has been interested in seeing in Racine

Margarita flight, yes please

I had off of work for a couple days, so in addition to the lake house day I got to do more fun stuff.  Like going to this fun inflatable park!

Then we went to the Racine Zoo with Donna and Emil

Trying out the rental scooters in Racine

Finally, capped the 4th of July break off with a nice visit to the Lake Forest Beach

Claire swam out really far