Ocean-like waves

Claire's dog obsession continues:)

Saw this cool turtle

Open Lands

Luke's NVA "bucks" from camp - he earned all these for good behavior and sportsmanship and spinning the prize wheel

It was a perfect night on the water.  Claire and I went for a long paddle board ride and then Matt did, too, when we got back.  It was warm outside, the water was warm, and so calm.  Such a fun time to take a look at all the other houses on the lakeshore.

The waves at Winthrop Harbor on Sunday were huge!  The kids used their boogie boards and rode the waves in for hours.  It felt like we were in Costa Rica again!  Nope, just Lake Michigan.

Originally I had taken off of work on that Monday, July 13th to celebrate PJ's birthday.  But because of the spike in COVID rates in AZ (hot spot!), they cancelled their trip.  Matt and I took the opportunity to have a boat trip on the Chain 'o Lakes.  It was so fun!

4th of July

After so many weeks of isolation, the 4th of July actually felt more "normal" than we have in a while.  It was an adjusted normal, though.  We saw family and friends, but just made sure to do it in groups much smaller than usual, and all outside 99% of the time, being careful not to share food or drinks.  

Jenae and Jeremy had made the trip from CO to the Midwest for a month, taking advantage of the boys' sports being cancelled this year.  It is always so fun spending time with them.  Mom and Dad celebrated the 4th of July holiday at the lake house with us.  It was the first time we spent any good, long quality time with them since Christmas!  So wonderful and we had a fantastic time.  I did have some anxiety that I was inadvertently giving them COVID somehow the whole visit (I can say now that I definitely wasn't, but hey, we live in a time of paranoia).  We had gorgeous weather and the lake house was glorious.  My week vacation sped to a close before I even realized what had happened.

Rubbing clay all over their faces and bodies by the sand dunes

Lila was the last one swimming, even as the sun was setting

Sisters

Took the dogs for a walk and watching the moon and sunset

Happy 13th Birthday to River!

Justin lit off some fireworks

Gorgeous, perfect morning

Dinghy ready to shuttle the Steinbach's off their big boat

They came for a visit via boat

All the toys out

Loving the yacht life with them

Snuck over to Justin and Sara's for Justin's birthday party that night, they live in Kenosha very near the lake house

Lila and Claire had a great time catching fireflies together

Another beautiful sunset

So many fireflies in the field next to their house

A few more fireworks

Lila plays the guitar and sings, Claire enjoyed listening to her

Sunrise at the lake house

4th of July family bike ride - sporting' the retro helmet from my childhood:)

Grandma and Grandpa are here!  Immediate bonding happening

With the kids entertained by Grandma and Grandpa, Matt and I had a few minutes to sunbathe together on the top deck, so nice!

Watching Hamilton outside around the fire table as the sun set.  So awesome!

We heard fireworks being set off all up and down the lakefront.  We usually aren't up at the lake on the 4th because of all the Lake Forest festivities, but since all those were cancelled we got a little taste of a Pleasant Prairie 4th of July

The rising moon was spectacular that night

Matt enjoyed watching the moon and fireworks show more than Hamilton

My Dad found this letter that they wrote sometime when my Mom and he went on a trip and left my sister and I with my grandparents:)

Lunch at The Tropics in Winthrop Harbor

Peel and Eat Shrimp!

Even Grandma and Grandpa went swimming

Back to work on the 6th, but we met a few friends at the Lake Forest beach during the evening