Arnold Family: Hot Fun in the Summertime

Summer was such a blast with a one-year old! We dreamt last year of being able to jump in the car with our son and a diaper, wipes and a stroller and just take off. At last we didn't need all the "baby" things. There is nothing greater than to take his little hand and let him walk with you, rather than bundle him all up in a carrier and lug him around. I am sure next year will be even more exciting as we can do even more things...our world is opening up everyday.

I am so sad to see the summer end as there was always something fun to do when the weather was warm and the sun was shining (and when we weren't working). Lots of little vacations and adventures awaited us and we tried our very best to take full advantage. I hate the fact that now we need coats and soon boots and gloves and it isn't as easy to just hop in the car and go to the playground or the pool! But every season has its advantages, I guess, and Pat has already decided where the Christmas tree will go.

Here is a quick photo-view of some of our summer fun...

The Star of Our Show Up Close and Personal

Fun playing in the water table on the deck. We had lots of great sunny mornings and afternoons here. Mommy drinking coffee and reading a magazine... Auggie and Eden running in and out of the house and onto the deck, accumulating more and more toys and bones that eventually made it in the yard for daddy to dodge while mowing the lawn. I think the dog had the most fun one day running through the sliding screen door at full force and making her own "doggie door." Fun for all, more bees in the house than necessary.

Here is a picture of Auggie and Dana at this years TS Walk. We do this every year to help raise money and this was the first time we used Auggie's wagon from Grandma Schnulle on the mile walk. A great afternoon and our team won the t-shirt contest! Followed by a glass of Sangria and a great Italian meal...Thanks Jane and Leon!

This year my mom turned 60 years young over Memorial Day weekend and we spent it with her, Uncle Tony, Aunt Kelly and their kids in northern Wisconsin in Eagle River. It was one of those happy weekends where you take turns making breakfast, drink bad coffee, chase the kids around fighting over a toy boom box, drink a kitty cocktail or an Old Fashioned at a northern woods "bar", stuff your face with cheese curds, lay in a wet bathing suit until you are chaffed and stay up late reciting movie lines with your family. We also had the chance to visit my Aunt Gail and Uncle Bob's cabin and enjoy the most wonderful lemon cake. Happy Birthday, Mom! You deserve all the happiness in the world!

The 2nd Annual Boys Campout was this year in June. Uncle Tony was gracious enough to bring his new camper/RV so that the entire clan could relax in air-conditioning as it was one of the hottest weekends of the year...again!! They had a blast doing all kinds of great activities offered at the park...swimming, movies, golf...but I guess we will never know the true stories, as the NO Girls Allowed rule still applies.

Our next big trip was over 4th of July weekend. We went to Hayward, Wisconsin with the Arnold Family for their annual summer vacation. Pat and I hadn't been in a while and he was thrilled to take Auggie to the spot up north where he created millions of fun memories every summer. This photo was taken the morning before we left...I was getting ready and I found Auggie wheeling the cooler around the kitchen and living room. Apparently, he was ready to get out of town more than us!

Pat and Auggie pose for a picture at the famous Tremblay's Sweet Shop. A great big candy store that has every treat imaginable at the touch of your eager fingers and rows and rows of homemade fudge. It was a must stop during Pat's childhood and he couldn't wait to take him here. I see lots of cavities in the future!

Auggie sits on the front steps of the Lodge at the Shady Nook Resort. This is where the Arnold Family spent many nights eating pizza and ice cream, playing pinball and having a drink or two before heading back to their cabins! I can vouch that the drinks are especially potent and make for some happy campers! This was such a heartwarming sight!

An intense game of pinball in the lodge. Auggie's first game ever...it was so precious to see! Someday he will be as tall as his dad and won't need the help of the chair to see! :(

Daddy, Great Uncle Roy, Godfather Jack, Auggie and Papa Arnold pose for a picture at the bar. All we are missing is Uncle Jeff who came later in the week! A great family generations picture.

I had to stick this photo in. A shot of my sister-in-law Erin , me, my sister Becky and cousin Erin as we completed a 5K in August for breast cancer awareness called the Dirty Girl Mud Run. A great day, a great accomplishment for all of us! Here we are at the end of the race while we could still stand.

Waiting for breakfast one morning at the White Gull Inn in Door County. Such a happy boy!

It's the second year of the Arnold Boys Baseball Tour of America. This year the fun was had at US Cellular Field to see the Chicago White Sox. I started out as the anxiety-ridden mom, worrying that it would be a long day for a 15-month old boy who is a monkey on the run...but he sure proved me wrong. My husband, the optimist, assured me we would be fine. But, we had arrived extra early and the clouds in the sky weren't promising. But, karma was good to us I guess as we ended up having an unbelievably terrific day. It is most definitely a very family-friendly stadium with lots to do for kids, a huge park to explore and lots of helpful, friendly people giving our son suckers and behind-the-scenes elevator rides.

Enjoying his first sucker...and let me just share that by the end of that grape Tootsie Pop, I was ecstatic that we now carry wipes with us every where we go.

My favorite boys...I am definitely their #1 Fan

What a view...The skyline and a smiling, handsome fellow!

Our first family bike ride...10 miles on the Sunset Trail in Door County right along Green Bay. A day Pat and I will never forget as it was beautiful, sunny and our boy just sat happily while enjoying the ride. We lavished in touring a lighthouse, lunch at the beach and sticking our toes in the water. Even though we had a hard time walking/sitting at the end of the day, we were so happy to have the experience.

We were fortunate enough to visit Wrigley Field again this year. If you haven't guessed, Pat is a fan of the game and as we shared last year, he wants Auggie to say he has been to a Cubs game every year of his life. We were excited to go over Labor Day Weekend with the hopes of being able to beat last years record and stay past the 2nd inning. Lo and behold...we made it to the third!