Showcase #8 - Visit Back Home

It's been awhile since our last post.  We were vacationing back in our hometown with family and friends for 17 days.  It was a super fun visit but it is always nice to return to some normalcy too.  Here are a few photos from the end of July - beginning of August - - - all from Illinois

It's Go Fish!  My sister-in-law found out they were coming to a nearby town so we took our older kids to see these guys.  They are awesome!!  If you're looking for fun, clean, entertaining children's music, check them out!  http://gofishguys.com/  Their motto is that they make "Great music for kids that won't drive parents bonkers!"

It was about 100 degrees out and 99.99999% humidity but everyone still had a sweaty blast at the concert! 

Fiona's cousin was gecko sitting while we were playing at their house.  After several attempts, she got it out of the cage.  It tried to escape so we didn't keep it out too long!

Big sister jumped off the high dive for her first time and little sister jumped off the low dive at the same time.

4 Wheeling at Grandpa and Grandma's house!!

Grandma Z. bought a balloon kit and the kids were entertained for hours!  When they made their appearance from the basement, they modeled their creations!  So clever and funny!

Grandma S. treated us to a day at the Magic House in St. Louis, MO.  We had never been before, such a cool place!  If you live in IL or nearby states, put this on your To-Do list.  Here the kids were climbing a contraption.

A fireplace?  No, a secret entrance to a detective room.  

After eating lunch in the cafe, we were freezing so went outside to warm up.  I think it was like 106 degrees in St. Louis that day so we warmed up quickly.  They are standing in a mini lazy river.

Nice hair ladies!

Thanks for a fun day and a new hair do Grandma!

Because she can't stand to be outdone by her big sister....she jumped off the high dive too!!

We had a family dinner at Johnny's Italian Steakhouse and the cousins all left with to-go cups.

After Keegan's baptism, the cousins posed for a quick photo.

Grandma Z. and her little buddy

Grandpa Z. and his spunky little granddaughter

Grandpa S. with the crew

While back, we attended our 20th class reunion.  Here we are the night before with fellow classmates.  Veronica just moved back from Australia, Jeremy and I are in MA, Kim lives in Mexico and Tonya (my BFF) has stayed local.

Girls Night Out group reunites once again!  Always such a joy getting to spend time with my dearest friends from childhood!  Even though half the group is now out of the state (MO, MI, MA) and one that is out of the country (Mexico) we always pick right up where we left off when we get together.    Just missing one out-of-towner in this picture.  She tried to get back but it just didn't work out.  

Lots of time was spent climbing this rope and playing in the new tree house Grandpa made!