Summer 2014

Summer 2014 started with Amber finishing up the 2013-2014 school year and with John getting into full gear for the summer golf season.  We made sure to add in some fun by heading to the Brewer Game with Adam and Becky on Father's Day (June 15th).

Waiting in line to enter Miller Park

During the game

John and London running (or walking) the bases after the game.

The next week we headed up to Madison to spend some time with Michelle. We ate dinner at State Street Brats, walked up and down State Street and had some ice cream at the Union. It was a beautiful  warm evening and a very pretty sunset.

Madison Union at sunset

Enjoying a beautiful sunset

Family photo at sunset

The next week Amber and London headed up to Stevens Point to visit with Grandma and Grandpa Okray and then meet Amber's Grandma Betty and cousin Riley to make a trip to Minnesota for Amber's cousins wedding on June 28th.  They went on a boat cruise on Lake Minnetonka for the rehearsal dinner and then the wedding took place the next day at a spa. It was very nice to visit with family.

Hanging out with Grandma Mary in Stevens Point

Ready for a walk

Boat cruise during the rehearsal dinner

Yummy wedding cake!

Hanging out with Great-Grandma Betty at the hotel

On July 2nd Amber and John went to Milwaukee to meet up with friends Briton and Maureen and go to the Dave Matthews Band Concert at Summerfest.  It was Amber's first time seeing DMB and they really put on a good show!  We even stayed the night and had a nice brunch with Briton and Maureen the next day. We were happy to have Michelle come and take care of London for us.

With Amber not teaching summer school this summer (the first time ever!) she and London had lots of time to go on walks, head to the park and go to the library for story time.  It was awesome to have so much Mom and London time!  She might even continue to stay home next summer ;)

A little dancing during story time at the library

London and Will working on a 4th of July craft after story time

On Saturday July 12th we went up to Madison to peruse the Madison Farmers Market and Art Fair. We bought some fresh veggies and scones and took home a load of spicy cheese bread (yum!). We also had lunch on the capital lawn and were able to explore the Madison Library which for London was the highlight of the day because she is such a bookworm!

Hanging out with Auntie Michelle at the Madison Farmer's Market

Cute as can be on the capitol lawn

Hugging a tree...

Happy girl!

The next week London started her second round of swimming lessons.  They were actually cancelled on the second day because it was too cold. Otherwise the lessons went great. She's getting really good at kicking her legs and scooping her arms and blowing bubbles.

Amber and London during swimming lessons

The next weekend Amber and London went up to Appleton for a visit. They meet up with Jen and her son Rory at the park and went swimming with Riley.  They also did some shopping to make sure we were prepared for our Germany trip.

Great-Grandma Betty and London having a foot soak

Which for London turned into an entire body soak...

London meeting Rory

That next week Adam came to Janesville for a few days and we spent some time at the Rock County 4H Fair.  We had fun seeing the animals and eating some yummy fair food. 

John and London looking at the baby pheasants

London playing in the corn pit

Uncle Adam and London at the 4H Fair

On the 29th of July we (Amber, John, London, Grandma Betty, Diane and Steve) went to Chicago to fly out of O'Hare for our two week trip of a lifetime to Munich, Germany!  If you don't know the story of how our family in Germany came to be here is a short synopsis:

When Amber's mom was in high school she and Amber's grandparents and mom hosted a German exchange student (Angie).  The next year Amber's mom Diane went to Germany through the same exchange program to stay with Angie's family.   Since then we have kept in contact with our German "family" via phone, snail mail, email and now Facebook and texting. We're on four generations of  family and we have gone to Germany many times (although this trip was John, London and Steve's first time) and many of our German family members have also come to visit us here.

We had an amazing time catching up, going sightseeing and experiencing German life. We feel so blessed to be able to take such a great trip!

We made it safely (first picture inside the Munich airport after getting through customs)

Relaxing on our first day in Germany

German food and music at an outdoor concert

During the concert

Boat ride on Chimsee

King Ludwig's Castle on the Man Island of Chimsee

View from Germany into Austria

Castle cannon balls in Berghausen

Shots!

German beer and food at an outdoor festival

John, Amber and London at the Silent Night Church

London playing on the island on Konigsee

John, Amber and London on the island on Konigsee

Steve, Diane, Amber and John getting ready to go into the salt mines

John and London on the hill above Tussling

John, Amber and London giving our key a kiss before we throw it into the river in Austria

London's first train ride

Mattias, Joe, Claudia, John, Julia and Amber at a bier garden in Munich

John and Amber overlooking the city of Munich

Irene, Julia, Amber, John, Joe and Mattias overlooking the city of Munich

We got home from our trip on August 12th and adjusted back to "normal" life pretty quickly.  On August 14th Amber and London went up to Green Bay to meet up with the Music Girls and all of our kiddos for a trip to the Green Bay Children's Museum and to the park as well as some catch up time for us mommies :)

Jacob, Caanan, London, Lucas and Vivi hanging out at Justine's house

Caanan and Jacob fishing while Cristina, Vivi, Mallory and Lucas watch

Soon after (August 25th) Amber headed back to work and just like that our summer was quickly over. It was a blast and we are excited for fall.

Until the end of next season...Go Pack Go!