July Palatine Trip

It was great to catch up with family in Chicagoland.

Meg and Grammy

Puzzle with Papa

Lia with Grammy

Awesome set of cornole that we borrowed from a neighbor.

Indy Children's Museum

When Lori's sister and her daughter visited us from Nebraska, going to the Indy Children's Museum was a must.

We've been to a Chihuly (blown glass art) museum in the past.  We're fans.

We're familiar with the terra cotta soldiers which we affectionately call "the dirt dolls."

Dragonfly

When I was a kid, I was fascinated by insects.  I still am.

This male widow skimmer remained on the hydrangea branch for a good chunk of time for me.

Rollerbladers

When we lived in East Asia, the girls really took to in-line skating and got pretty skilled dodging people and cars in our apartment complex.

So they were thrilled to refresh their skills here in Indiana.

Great Blue Heron

We had a fun Independence Day nature surprise.

We live next to a retention pond, and in some tall grass next to the pond, a 3-foot tall great blue heron stood motionless.  In a blink, its head and neck snapped into the water.  It came out with its prize -- a good-sized fish.

I spooked him by getting too close so he flew with fish in grip to the other side of the pond.  Can you guess where the fish is now?