A Walk in the Park

There's a super fun nature walk at a local forrest preserve in Illinois (thanks for the tip Aunt Krista).  While we were there we visited with Will's aunts and cousin.  Fun fun!

Will was pumping the waterfall that you see flowing.

Life-size bird house.  :)

Cousin Johnny thought he'd like to give the water a try too...

But then again, maybe not.

Well, okay mom, I'll try again.

Then he discovers this water thing isn't so bad and even starts to enjoy it!  :)

Stopping for a snack before we leave for home.  :)

River Swim

While in Arizona visiting family we were able to go for a swim in a local river.  Fun stuff and a bit different than the pool.  :)

 Sitting on the rocks watching the rapids.  Later Will would brave the rapids. :)

Update and Other Fun Stuff

Okay, okay, I am embarrassingly behind on these postings...I apologize.  With traveling all summer and settling into a new home now, life has been a bit hectic lately.  :)  I have a lot of catching up to do, so bear with me, please.  We have had many events since the last post and now, so I think I'll just try to start back in the summer and work my way into the present.  :)

Over the summer we traveled from our last home in Massachusetts to California, with a few stops along the way.  Many miles, many visits, and many wonderful memories later, we are back in the northeast, stationed in Maine, settling in to our new home and routine.

So I think we'll just begin at the beginning, way back when we were still in MA, right before Carl graduated MIT.  Oh yes, Carl graduated with his double Masters from MIT...Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture!  Impressive, huh?  :)  He did an amazing job!  He's very glad to be done studying hard, but ever grateful for the opportunity.  Now it's back to the regular navy and putting that education to use!  Back to my current task...Carl's parents and sister and her family came out to visit us and see Carl graduate.  We had a fun time in a near-empty house with many little children.  It was wonderful to have them out to share in the successful conclusion of a mentally rigorous 3 years.  So here's a few pictures from that time...

The adults were able to get away one night for a harbor cruise while the grandparents watched the children.  Here's Uncle Kris and Aunt Krista (Carl's sister) looking adorable, though they were soaked by rain just minutes earlier.  :)

One night we went out onto the hill behind our house to watch the sunset and have a little fun just playing.

Uncle Kris and Caleb being "chased" by Will.  

The look on Caleb's face as he glances at his daddy is absolutely priceless and precious in this picture.  

Here's Will just being goofy.

Another "parents day out" at Fenway Park, going to see the Red Sox.

I thought it was fun that we were close to this dug-out area where we could see them doing their secret handshake/fist bump ritual.

That's all for now, but more will follow shortly!  :)