Attic Work

Ben helped Charlie do some electrical work in the attic.  I love seeing Ben at an age where he is interested and able to learn and work on things like this.  They have to wear respirators up in the attic because of the insulation.  I think it was hot and tiring but he learned a lot- good bonding time.

Biscuits with Dad

Charlie makes perfect biscuits. Max and Maura love to help in the kitchen and Charlie has found a way to let them participate in biscuit making without compromising perfection.

On the Go

We had an event at work called "On the Go". Charlie being the great dad he is brought Maura up to enjoy the festivities. She was able to ride a school bus, walk around a police boat, and do fun crafts.


There was also a "carwash". Many of the activities were brought inside because it was cold and rainy outside. Amazingly, the kids really didn't care that there wasn't real water and bubbles. It is much easier to pretend when you are a preschooler :)

Happy 40th Bday!

We agreed to low key 40th birthdays this year. The kids and I made a cake and lasagna. We also designed a "Top 40 Reasons We Love You" poster. A few of the Top 40 highlights...

Maura: you cut paper with me, you make chips and cheese, you are funny
Max: you make good soup (bean and bacon from the can), you take us on super fast bike trailer rides, you make us happy when we are sad
Ben: you help us fix our computer problems, you play dodgeball with us, you pray with us
Kathy: you bring me flowers, you do the laundry, you make us laugh

Happy Birthday! We love you!

Apple Pie Making Season

Ben showing Maura how the apple corer, peeler works.

Maura studying every step.

Maura doing it by herself (with dad's help).

Max finishing the pie off with the crumb topping.

Family Photos

We had a mini-session of photos taken this fall. The photos of all five of us didn't turn out too well but we ended up with a collage of our family that I just love.

Anniversary

View from the bluffs/Centennial Trail

Almost sunset

Bottle of wine we had with our bread/cheese/salami appetizer.


Charlie telling me the story of how he and the boys got lost on the trail and ended up almost in Elsah. Maura and I ended up picking them up along the river road. They were covered in tics.


After our hike we went to dinner at the Mississippi Half Step in Grafton. The food there is delicious. I got scallops with artichokes and mushrooms and mashed potatoes. Charlie got the beef tips and tomato bisque soup.
Next year we may close the cottage a week later so we can come here for brunch on Sunday. They offer brunch November-February during the months the bald eagles come to the area for the winter. Their brunch menu looks delicious too.




Charlie made breakfast using the left over beef tips, port salut cheese, and eggs. After breakfast we got to work getting the cottage ready to close up. It always surprises me how much time it takes to get everything done. It is sad closing the cottage especially when the weather is so beautiful. Now the count down to reopening the cottage- 139 days!

Driveway Campfire

Ben working on his Webelos fire making skills.

Mmmm, s'mores

We had to end our s'mores fest early because the clouds and rain started rolling in.

Ben wanting to be sure I was in one of the pictures.

Swimming with Dad

Chautauqua's flooded pool


Jersey County Pool

Unfortunately, we didn't get much swimming in this summer due to the flooded pool at Chautauqua. Charlie took off a few days around Children's Day and we went to the Jersey County pool a couple of times. Hanging on dad is the favorite pool activity when he is there :)

Sailing on the Serendipity

We took the kids out for a sail on the Serendipity with the John, Anna, and Cooper at the end of the summer. The highlight for the kids was jumping off the boat and swimming. Maura's favorite part was going below deck and eating snacks.