Apple Picking

These pictures were actually taken today, so I'm current again. For the past couple years, we've picked apples at Appleberry Farm. The kids ask to go back there because there's this big tree they really like to climb around in. Chris and I like it because they serve these amazing cider brats with apple-onion relish. And they sell good cider. And this year, they had a couple new tire swings. When we were done goofing around, we picked about 16 pounds of apples. Chris has big plans to spend all day Sunday peeling and slicing so he can make us an apple crisp.

Vacation!

For our first-ever family vacation that didn't involve staying with relatives, we went to a water park resort in the Wisconsin Dells. I'm going to take a break from my minimal-commentary streak to tell you a little story that I find really amusing. Casey took swim lessons and played soccer in August, but Darby's not old enough for either, so he spent most of the month watching Casey from the sidelines. He seemed to do okay with that. I played with him at the park next to the pool, and Chris or I kicked a ball around with him adjacent to the practice. But when we told the boys we were taking them to a waterpark, Darby immediately burst into tears. His first thought was that this was going to be yet another thing that only Casey got to do. Poor guy! Of course we took him on vacation with us.

Before we left, we did a quick early celebration of Casey's birthday. He turned ... five! Ooo, five looks a little ominous. I'm not sure I'm ready for this.

 Casey uses his fingers to show how old he is. Next year he'll need two hands--oh my.

 This is a very special Denny's where famous rock stars hang out. We asked Casey and Darby to pose like Jake and Elwood.

 They have no idea who this is. That's so weird.

 I can never just get everyone to just look at the camera and smile. Someday.

 Good pirate faces. This is at Crabby's, a pirate-themed seafood buffet.

 This is in the lobby of the hotel. It's called the Clock Tower, and three times a day it comes to life with animatronic animals and a ridiculously lame song about nature. Casey loved it. Chris and I sat through it more times than we would have liked.

We spent most of the time at the water park, but I don't have any record of that because I didn't want to have to keep track of my camera. But it was tons of fun, the kids had a blast, and we would definitely go back.

Henry Vilas Zoo in August

 I couldn't get them to smile, so I just told them to make "mad" faces. They're much more cooperative with that request.

 I didn't manage to get Darby's chin in this picture, but there are so few photos of me, here you go.

 Chris has the wingspan of an eagle.

Cooling Off

It's fall now, but sometime back in July it was still blazing hot.

Indiana Trip

I took the boys down to Indiana to visit my family in early July. Krista and I went to a music festival, and the rest of the family came over for a cookout on the 4th, and we set off a few small fireworks. For some reason the only time I thought to get out my camera was after dark, and you can see how that turned out. I don't know, I kind of like this first one.

 That sparkler really wasn't as smokey as it looks here.

 Darby watches the fireworks.

 Oh, look, I managed to get one photo in daylight. This is Kevin, my youngest nephew.