Fun in Wisconsin

Thanks to Pawpaw Jim and Mawmaw Julie (as Nickolas calls his grandparents) for a wonderful two weeks in Milwaukee. Nickolas had great fun "shopping" for toys where grandma stores them and had a great time playing ball with grandpa on a daily basis. We loved being home.

Lucy and Great-auntie Marybeth in deep thought.

Getting ready to go play with paw paw!

One of many games of catch.

On a play date with two older women (daughters of mommy's highschool friend Katie).

With Godmother Amy reading a book.

A product of Nickolas's godmother -- Lucy's painted pink toe nails.

Milwaukee Fire Department around the corner!

Thanks to the friendly firefighters for the hat, coloring book, and story book. I had great fun looking at all of your gear. I'm glad I could also show you MY truck.

Playing at Miller Park

Uncle Brian had a softball game at the Little League field on the grounds of Miller Park. There's a huge playground outside of the outfield that Nickolas loved. After the softball game was over, Nickolas played with Uncle Brian on the field and ran around the bases to a cheering section.

Happy 40th Anniversary Maw Maw and Paw Paw!

We had a surprise party for the grandparent's 40th anniversary. Lucy was passed around like a potato and Nickolas had fun with the balloons cleverly tied to his wrist and enjoyed the cheesecake. The real anniversary is September 20th, but we did it since all 3 kids were in town as well as the grandkids -- only thing missing was Dan, but he was there in spirit. The food was excellent and we pulled off a successful surprise.

Brian, Aimee, David, Maw maw Julie, Paw paw Jim, Lucy, and Nickolas

Lake Geneva

Nickolas and Lucy are officially the 4th generation of wee ones to spend a fun summer day at Lake Geneva. Great-grandma and grandpa took maw-maw when she was wee, and maw-maw took mommy and her siblings and their friends every year she can remember. Lake Geneva is near the Illinois border and is lined with many grand historic homes. The lake provides many opportunities for boat tours as well as a walking trail that covers the 27 miles of shoreline, which uncle David has hiked. Great-auntie Terri joined in the fun and spent much of the day with Lucy in the shade near the lifeguard stand. Nickolas was EVERYWHERE and enjoyed beach life immensely.


The first of many laps along the buoys with maw-maw.


Playing catch with the waves.


A ride on the raft.

Great-auntie Terri and Lucy.

The only break taken all day.

More splashing.

Our little sand crab.

Wisconsin State Fair

Nickolas went to the Wisconsin State Fair not once, but twice. Godmother Amy accompanied us the second time, which was great fun. Even more fun, was the ride down the Giant Slide with her. At the Fair, Nickolas had all sorts of great food and saw lots of animals.

Weeeeee!

Corn dog from the corn dog stand mommy used to work at during highschool. They never get old...

This is a cream puff. I'm told they are quite the delicacy at the Fair. We brought a 6-pack of puffs home for Paw Paw.

Oink oinks.

Moos.


No visit to the Fair is complete without an Elmo tatoo.

Nickolas's Vaca During Mommy's Summer School

Time to catch up from July. Aimee had her graduate school summer session for 10 days. During that time, Grandma Julie came to help in the hotel with Lucy in Maryland, and unfortunately got a terrible flu; however, she hung in there and made sure no classes were missed. Other than that, Lucy was quite a hit on campus with staff, professors, and classmates.

Meanwhile, Nickolas had the time of his life with Sue and WAyne (as Nickolas pronounces it). They went to the 4H Fair, the National Zoo, a water park, visited a fire station, took a ride on choo-choos at the mall, and essentially turned their home into a fun house for him.


After a visit to a fire station.


I love you ... no I love you


Future 4 H-er?


Co-host-in-training for "Under Wild Skies" (at the zoo)

There is a funny little creature in there that is cracking me up!

Nothing like some cool mist on a hot day at the National Zoo!


Lunch time.




More Aqua!!!!


My first Merry-Go-Round on a hee-haw.