Tarico Times: 4th of July in Chicago & Indiana

This year for the 4th of July we headed to the Midwest. We enjoyed multiple get together's with family in Chicago, Beverly Shores, Indiana and Grand Rapids. It was a busy week but a good one! We started the week in Chicago which is always great fun. Chicago is a wonderful city with such great things to do with kids. Each time we visit we always try to squeeze in a museum or two and this visit was no exception. We were able to get to The Field Museum and the Aquarium which were both fabulous. Camden really enjoyed them and was extremely sad when we ran out of time at the Field Museum. After Chicago we headed to Grand Rapids for a "return to my roots". I'll post more about that later. But suffice it to say it was bittersweet. I was able to reconnect with a sweet Aunt that I hadn't seen in nearly 20 years and see where my Mom grew up. What a blessing! Following Grand Rapids we headed to Beverly Shores to celebrate the 4th of July with some of Doug's sisters and their families as well as many extended family. Doug's Aunt & Uncle have a beautiful place there on Lake Michigan and it is always such a treat to visit and reconnect with them. Before heading back home on Monday, we were able to get together with my Aunt & Uncle in Chicago as well. The visit was far too short but still was very enjoyable.

Here are a few pics from our busy week:

Here we are at the Aquarium w/cousin, Maddy and her kiddo's, Trey and Rachel:

Doug and Cam at the beautiful Presbyterian church on Michigan Ave. which is just down the way from Doug's Aunt & Uncle. Actually Doug's cousin, Ron & Maddy were married here.

Camden & I enjoying the trolley ride to the Field Museum:

Doug & Camden at the Field Museum:

Doug & Aunt Betty enjoying some beach combing on the 4th of July:

The Fam!

This is our brother-in-law, Paul chucking his son, Connor in the air. Connor just loved it when Paul did this. I couldn't believe how high he threw him!

On the contrary...here's Cam's response to Doug attempting to do the same thing. (Umm...you need to let go of Dad's shirt in order for it to truly work. :) Too funny! Some kids are just more cautious than others and Camden is definitely the more cautious type.

Here's Camden & I getting ready to take part in some family fun....Red vs. Blue or Girls vs. the boys in the family.

Here's cousin, Robyn attempting to organize the teams:

And here's some of the family enjoying her attempt at it.

This contest was to see who could eat their cookie the fastest without using their hands.

Camden definitely didn't win. He is the slowest eater with or without hands!

The view from Aunt Betty & Uncle Ronald's pool/patio area. Yep, That's Chicago you see in the distant.

Doug's extended family always spoil us when we come visit. This year they rented one of those gigantic slides that you can put a hose on and slide down. The kids really enjoyed it and the adults did too. In fact, we were enjoying it many days later as well. It's so great to get older! :-)But I guess it didn't help that we were doing somersaults, flips and basically flying off the end of it.

Here's Doug doing his cannonball slide. I am pretty sure he flew off the end with that one!

Doug's sister, Lisa was a total mad woman. She was doing cartwheels, back flips and all sorts of crazy stuff. I wonder if we should have reminded her that she is over 40! :)