Illinois State Fair

We made two trips to the Illinois State Fair way back in August.

On our first visit this year, the focus was rides and fair food.  The boys made good use of their mega passes.

The big boys were good sports and rode some of Kieran's rides with him.

Cole is in the middle bumper car.

Caden, Curt, and Cole on their favorite ride, Avalanche (if I'm remembering correctly)

Another ride wave from Kieran

Caden and Papa on the Sky Glide

Kieran, Nana, and me on the Sky Glide...Kieran wasn't so sure about being up that high.

The boys on one of Kieran's favorites

Kieran loved going through the funhouses with his big brothers.

Caden 

Cole and Caden coming down the small slide...We went down the giant slide too, but didn't get any good photos of that (MY favorite!). 

On our second visit of the year, we spent most of our time in Conservation World, but we saved some time for rides and fair food (of course).

Kieran really did not want to share this kettle corn. 

The big boys tried rock climbing...

Cole

Caden

 and archery...

Caden

Cole

This photo was taken either right before Cole fell forward and knocked down this display or right after.  I've blocked it from my memory. 

and target shooting...

It is not easy to aim at a target using a red light when one is red-green colorblind.

More rides before bidding farewell to the State Fair

We'll be back again next August!

End of Summer Fun

We packed a lot of fun into the last three weeks of summer.

Curt got out our little bounce house for the boys one afternoon of his vacation.

Cole doing his gymnastics

Kieran trying to copy Cole and then getting a burn on his nose from diving head-first 

Kieran being told to go feet-first down the slide

Caden attended his first fishing clinic at Washington Park with a friend at the end of July. The friend's nanny sent me this photo of Caden with one of his many fish. He had a lucky morning and a great time.

Following Kieran's birthday celebration, Cole had a birthday party to go to at Island Bay. We all tagged along even though it was a very cool summer day and none of us braved the water.

Caden vs. Nana

Cole and his best buddy, Gavin--They had a blast together at Rachel's party. 

Cole and Gavin had too much fun to mind the cold air.

Gavin and Cole

Hanging out on the deck

Kieran's nose band-aid is covering the bouncy house burn.

Working hard

We had a fun summer at Island Bay Yacht Club.

My boys

Caden and Saurya enjoyed the fishing clinic so much the first time that they wanted to go again. This time, Cole and Kieran gave fishing a try.

Saurya and Caden

Cole caught...a leaf.

The fishing instructor (because I know NOTHING about fishing) helped Kieran catch this little fish. 

Cole and his fish!

At the beginning of August, Nana and Papa asked if they could borrow the boys for a couple days.  Sure!

Kieran enjoyed having the baby pool to himself.

Cole on the zipline

Cole and Caden having fun together

Snack and show before bed

Playing at my childhood park

Trip to Knights Action Park with friends

Kalyn, Makenna (bday girl!), Aidan, Noah, Caden, Brady, & Cole

Kieran 

Boys in bumper boats

Fall baseball practice started up in August, and Kieran tagged along as usual.

My little monkey

The boys and I tried the Muni for the first time.

Waiting for Peter Pan to start

Caden was able to meet one of his favorite authors, Tom Angleberger at the local Barnes & Noble. My friend, Michelle took Caden and her son, Noah. Sounds like it was a fun event!

Caden & Noah

Caden getting the newest book in the Origami Yoda series signed by Tom Angleberger

The weekend before school started, Cole hosted his first sleepover. His best buddy, Gavin spent the night. If Cole and Gavin had their way, sleepovers would happen every weekend at each others' houses.  

Mario Super Sluggers on the Wii

Cul-de-sac fun

Boating with the Wynn family

Caden & Brady getting hit by a wave and loving it

Settlemoir & Wynn kids

My little pirate