Midwest Trip - Birthday Day!

Enjoying a birthday lollipop as we traveled back toward the Chicago airport.

He looks pretty happy...

Pool Time at the Hotel

Birthday boy was out by the time we got to his birthday dinner.

But, don't worry.  As soon as he smelled food, he perked right up.

And he later partied with some IZZE's (carbonated fruit juice)

So, just to clarify, this kid managed to get three (!) birthday celebrations in one weekend. Spoiled much, mon petit fils?

And Three rocked the baby carrier.  He will make a great father someday.

We had a great trip and enjoyed visiting with everyone!

Midwest Trip - Party Night

We celebrated my grandfather's birthday that evening 

(as well as several others that had birthdays).

There was lots and lots of cake.

Yes.  I did catch my niece, M, stealing chocolate cake from Five.

(I say we blow this picture up really big and send it to her...)

Realizing that I had caught her.  Yep.  I would be sheepish too...

Ready to get his cake...

(Out of order - Sorry)

But super cute pic of Baby just before dinner.

Back to dinner.  And waiting for cake.

Trying to get the point across...

...and cake time!

Yum!  Yum!

Midwest Trip - Party Day and Boat Ride

We had a light luncheon at our cottage and an open house to celebrate my grandfather.

The boys and their cousins went fishing.

Then off to a boat ride on the lake.  

The sky was beautiful.  And ever changing.  It looked like this during the boat ride.

Twenty minutes later it was raining and hailing.  Thank goodness they were back at the cottage by then. They probably got more moisture in that downpour than we have gotten all season.

Midwest Trip - Lake Wawasee

We headed to a resort area to celebrate my grandfather's 80th birthday.

We stayed in a cottage across from the main building.  I'm fairly sure that the cottage is actually bigger than our house at home.  It was charming and old and the lights flickered often which gave me hope that it was haunted.  My sister and I were joking about ghosts and ended up effectively frightening her son (who is autistic and takes everything literally).  So...major parenting fail for us...?  

Other than us being overly silly about specters, the house was a delightful throwback to another time.    

The lake was a very short walk from the front door. 

And we had a porch swing.  So...this place was pretty much paradise.

There were four bedrooms upstairs.  The two middle boys shared this room.  The other two boys got their own rooms. Oh happy day!  

I'm one of those crazy parents that normally doesn't believe in unshared rooms for kids.  (Unless you are a baby like Six who cannot sleep in a room with other people without being disturbed by every little sound...)  I think it builds character to share space.  Three was in heaven with space...at first.  I wonder if he ended up missing his brothers...

And then we experienced the midwestern dream of a nice, relaxing evening spent outside chasing fireflies.  We went out after dark and let the kids run around.  With actual fireflies.  I'm not even sure I have ever seen one before.  It was awesome!