Holy Zucchini!

I don't know how I missed it, but obviously I did all of the other times I've been outside checking the vegetable garden. I found this massive zucchini in the garden tonight along with three others. I'm going to make zucchini bread...any other ideas are welcome. Will it even taste good if it is that huge?

Our Visit to Lake Tahoe

We just got back from a trip to Lake Tahoe to visit Chris's extended family. We had a great time seeing everyone and enjoyed the beautiful weather.

On the first day, Ian went out on a speed boat with Gary, Sue, and Erin to go innertubing. He had a BLAST! They drove the boat by the beach where we were playing so we could wave. I told Lila to wave to Ian's boat and she shouted, "I can't reach you Ian. You're on a boat!".

After that, Lila wanted to go on a boat. When I told her the boat was for bigger kids, she started saying that she was a "little big girl".

Luckily, Chris's cousins had brought their pedal boat with them so we could take Lila out for a spin.

We spent most of our visit at the beach digging in the sand and playing in the water.

Chris's cousin Jill is due two weeks before me.

Ian at Camp

Ian went to his first overnight camp last week. It was a video game programming camp that lasted from Sunday evening to Friday afternoon. He had a GREAT time and wanted to know if he could come back for another week. He is SO busy this summer that he won't have a chance, but we told him he could go back next year.

The camp counselors took pictures during the week and uploaded them to the website. Here's Ian playing UNO on a break from the computer lab.

On the last day.

This is the game Ian made. We are SO impressed with what he accomplished this week.

Getting his diploma from his counselor.

"I ride the train next week."

I don't think Lila had ever seen a train before we moved here, but now, between the metra and the freight trains we see them all.the.time. She's become a little obsessed. For the past few weeks she has been telling me, "I ride the train next week." It hasn't seemed to bother her that weeks go by and she still hasn't ridden the train. But, last night Ian was at camp and Chris was working late, so I decided we would take a train ride and have a "girls night out".

Lila waiting at the train station.

Lila riding the train. On the way home the conductor let her hold her train ticket and she was SO excited. We only rode the train for 3 stops for a total of 13 minutes each way, but she had a great time.

Our destination was the 2 Toots Restaurant which is a 50's style diner where a toy train delivers the food to your table. Lila thought it was FANTASTIC. And in very un-50s and un-Midwestern fashion they had veggie burgers so I was happy too.

Lila even got to sit in the booth like a big girl so she could be right next to the train when it went by.

Lila waiting for the train to go by our table. (Yes, Mom, I know her bib is dirty.)

A Good Ending

To a fun holiday weekend. We went over to Jim and Jasna's house tonight for a cookout. Lila ate uncharacteristically well and we learned she loves baked beans.

We also took advantage of the nice weather and played Washers in their backyard. I had never played before, but found I had a knack for it. I think we've found a game where Chris won't try to pawn me off on someone else's team.

Chris and Lila

Showing off my Washers skills.

Jim and Chris

Ian's Birthday Party

On Friday, Mom, Dad, Katie and Tim came over for a cook out to celebrate Ian's birthday. Thankfully, the weather was nice and our deck was finished (thanks Tim and Jim!) so we were able to enjoy the nice weather and eat outside.

Ian saw the birthday hat at Party City and said he couldn't pass it up.

Ian got a lot of cash for this birthday which made him VERY happy.

Lila had corn on the cob for the first time.

Ian is TWELVE!

As hard as it is to believe, Ian turned 12 yesterday! To celebrate he went to a Cubs game with Chris, Tim and Tony for a guys' night out. He saw a fantastic game and said he had a great time. It was Chris's first time seeing the Cubs win at Wrigley since 2001, so he says Ian has to start going to all of the games with him.

Before the game, he opened his presents from Chris and I. He got an Ipod Nano and a Cubs hat.

Riding the El for the first time.

First trip to Wrigley.

Ian and Chris in their seats.