more Summer Flowers

It's Almost Over :(

Maya's Uncle Fred and Aunt Carol (Wayne's sister) have been here visiting us from Nevada for two weeks. We have had so much fun and really enjoyed their company. It felt like we were on vacation too!

Today we spent most of our time outside / in the pool. Fred even tested the water out. They had gone earlier to Lighthouse Place where Carol bought the Coach bag that I had been eyeing (hey! glad someone in the family snagged it). Then we went to dinner at Wagner's. We tried the original Wagner's in Porter, only to find out that children aren't allowed there. Reminiscent of the other night when we tried to go to El Salto for dinner, only to find out they were closed for remodeling. Technical difficulties! So we drove to Valparaiso. Wayne and I had the Ribeye steaks and they were especially delicious. Fred and Carol sampled the ribs that Wagner's is famous for. Maya had mac n cheese and made a huge point of telling everyone that it was not macaroni and cheese it was mac n cheese and then dissolving into giggles. We stopped over at my parents for dessert. Fun day!

Where are the pictures, you ask? Well, I have been a very remiss photographer recently. I know, I know, out of character. Don't know why....

Yesterday we went to Blue Chip for the B1GI buffet and a bit of video poker. After a delicious lunch, I was up $2.50 (wow, big spender, huh?). I decided to cut and run, well quit playing and walk.... to Lighthouse Place for some retail therapy. Wayne was the big winner and Fred did pretty well too. All in all - fun!

Hmmmm, what else have we done in the last two weeks? We had a Fourth of July party that was lots of fun. Mom and Dad, Linda, Dave, and the Mauk family all came over to celebrate with us. It was a rainy day, so we stayed indoors, but still Maya had to say, " I love parties! ".

We've eaten alot and eaten out alot. We tried the pizza at Popolano's which was delcious. The other night when El Salto was closed, we headed over to Santiago's for the Mexican food that I've been craving lately. It was mucho dee-lish! Afterwards we went to the Dunes and walked along the beach. I love the Lake so much. I took off my shoes and walked along the edge of the waves. The water wasn't a bit cold but not bad. The waves were rough though, we didn't see any boats.

One evening, we also too a long walk at Coffee Creek. It was busy - there were alot of people running, walking, sitting and talking, enjoy nature.

Fred sang for his supper, so to speak. He painted a big part of our deck! Way to go Fred, thank you for being so much help.

Carol has spent quite a bit of time reading to and playing with Maya. That's my favorite part of having houseguests - our family or friends get to know Maya better than just with a visit.

Sometime when I'm not as tired as I am right now, I'll go through my pictures and hopefully have more to share.

Happy Birthday to our Great Country!

Smith Cookout

Mike and Mary invited us to a steak cookout! In appreciation for us driving Christina to therapy on Mondays, they had us over for a delicious dinner.

Maya had big fun with all the boy cousins.

June Picture Day

Since I've been too lazy to download my pictures lately! at least I have some prof pics....

Avoiding the Paparazzi?

Hmmmm, I think Maya was practicing for when she is famous and trying to avoid the Mommy-Paparazzi. The train is at the LaPorte County Visitor's Center.

Notre Dame

Grandpa, Grandma, Maya and Mommy went to lunch at the Morris Inn and then to the bookstore (food and shopping, some of our faves, ya know?). It started to rain which put a cramp in our plans to walk around the campus. I wasn't my usual picture "snappy" self and only got one.

Just fun

Summer Flowers

Pretty Baby

Roller Derby?

We had so much fun with these skates that we found in one of our garage "sailing" adventures. Maya's favorite was to skate with Mommy holding one hand and Grandma the other - she could be wild and not have to worry about falling. After awhile, we caught on that she didn't really need us!



This cash register was another "sail" find and Maya had so much fun talking on the microphone and scanning barcodes....little miss shop-keeper!