One More Beach Day...

So, it was our first Saturday back at Notre Dame, and what did we do? Tried to savor the last heat of summer & headed out to the beach! Lake Michigan feels a lot colder than I remembered. We shouldn't have been spoiled this summer by the Atlantic. I do have to say, though, that I actually prefer swimming here than in the huge ocean waves (and salt). This summer I went home with a lot of headaches, lungs full of salt water, and scrapes all over legs and arms from being pummelled by waves. They both have their advantages! But we had a great day here!

Sawyer's First Race, September 13th!

We're so excited for our little athelete, Sawyer! We just registered him for his very first race, which will be September 13th!

The "Salmon Chase Races" happen every fall in downtown South Bend, offering a 10k, 5k, & a "Guppy Run" for kids ages 2-7. We've been really excited about getting him involved in some sports, and were really happy he was old enough for this! Joe will be running the 5k earlier in the morning (go Joe!), then Sawyer races at 9:00. Come back for pics after!

Fallingwater

On our drive back to Indiana from D.C., we stopped to tour Frank Lloyd Wright's famous house, Fallingwater (in Pennsylvania). It's preserved as a historic site, still everything in its original form and furnishings. After driving over half an hour off the interstate, nearly killing our car going through mountains and canyons, we finally arrived; and found out that kids under six aren't allowed on the tour... *hearts sink*

Luckily though, we could still do the "grounds tour" with Sawyer. We could still get up on the outdoor patios and balconies, and look in all the windows. Outside is of course the best part, so it was ok. I've never liked Frank's style of indoor decor anyway, so I wasn't disappointed with not seeing everything inside.

These stairs actually go from INDOORS, in the living room, straight down to the river so you can sit at the base. I love it! Probably not a very kid friendly option though. Maybe someday...

Balcony, hanging over the river with no support underneath:

Sawyer hit his elbow and was crying. Instead of kissing it himself, Joe told Sawyer to kiss his own elbow. Haha I'm so glad I snapped the picture in time! By the way, if any of you can actually kiss their own elbow, let me know. I'd love to see it!

A Day in D.C.!

We were so happy that we were able to squeeze in a trip to D.C. on our way home from North Carolina last week! It was mine & Sawyer's first time there, but Joe has been before (he has had family out there nearby). A BIG BIG thank you to Joe's aunt and uncle for letting us stay in their home in Silver Spring, even though they were out of town!

Lincoln Memorial, Reflection Pool, WWII Monument

Joe feeding a squirrel M&M's. Haha :)

Beautiful engravings on the WWII Monument.

Part of the WWII Monument that blew us away. Each star on the wall represents 100 U.S. deaths (click on the pic to make it bigger).

Vietnam Memorial:

Lincoln Memorial:

Washington Monument:

Dinner at the Red Rock Canyon Grille in Silver Spring, MD. It was our first time there, and it was great food & service. In the big opening behind Joe, there was a live band playing guitar, bass, steel drums & bongos.

Back at Notre Dame!

Well, we've made it safely back to Notre Dame to settle in for another school year. The biggest miracle is that our car never stranded us! We're hoping for the best (the car surviving another year or two or three...), but expecting the worst to happen at any time (keeping some savings particularly FOR a new- used- car if we need it this school year).

We're very happy to be back here. It just feels homey. We're really looking forward to the football season, the fall, the holidays... and especially having friends again! It was a lonely summer in North Carolina (but gorgeous & an amazing adventure while it lasted)!

I have a bunch of pics on my camera to catch up on, but I just left it in Wisconsin at my parents' house so it'll be a bit before I can get that back. Sorry, the blog will be pretty dormant until then!

Enjoy the Sunrise...

Saturday morning we finally went to watch the sunrise over the ocean. It was amazing. We're so glad we went. Btw, the strawberry biscuits at Hardee's are really really good (we grabbed drive through breakfast on the drive out there...)

Oh, how we'll miss thee...

You have shown us such wonderful times...

Wilmington, we will miss you.

• Your hundreds of fine restaurants
• Your two beautiful malls
• Your super cute, never ending downtown shops
  
• Your sunshine 6 days a week
• Your lightning storms on Sunday evenings
• Your palm trees that line the city streets
• Your river, wide and deep
• Your crayfish and/or crabs to watch pinching all morning along the riverbed
  
• The boats that have given us rides
• The children's museum, zoo, and train museum for Sawyer
• The ice cream shops and beach stands
  
• The bridges that carry us to Wrightsville Beach
• The marinas full of beautiful yachts and sailboats that we'll never have
• The miles of fabulous beach houses to adore
  
• The loud night sounds of frogs croaking and crickets chirping in the forest outside our bedroom
• The bonzai burger at Red Robin
• The rosemary bread and lemon cake at Macaroni Grill
• Teaching me that I can enjoy some seafood besides salmon

And, most of all:

• Your sandy beaches
• Your rolling ocean waves
• The pelicans gliding overhead
  
• The cool birds that dive into the water like jets crashing
• The cool ocean evening breeze
• Watching Sawyer love it all.
  

Beach Family Portrait- Done!

Remember how one of my 9 goals before moving was a family portrait on the beach? We did it last night and I love it! I can't wait to get back to Notre Dame and blow it up for our wall. Also, I don't mean to boost my own ego, but who pays $500 for a professional photographer when I can get pictures like these by myself on our self timer? :) Mainly I just can't stand the idea of not owning the pictures (having to pay some guy $130 for a single 8x10, not being able to e-mail it to people, etc.). P.S.- Notre Dame friends: I'd love to take family pictures of you guys just for fun (and practice), don't be scared to ask sometime if you're due for a family portrait.

Our couple portraits turned out soft/blurry like this because the humidity was starting to affect the camera... I actually kind of like it. Looks like a pro filter a bit, don't you think?

Oh, boy, are we going to miss this stuff.

Sawyer Karaoke!

Sawyer and I went to the Children's Museum one last time yesterday. He loves it SO MUCH! I was so excited that this time he jumped right up on stage, grabbed the microphone, and did karaoke to "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star". It's really muffled since he pushes his mouth into the microphone, but I don't care; I think this is great!

Beach Night

We headed to the beach Saturday night, since Saturday during the day is SWAMPED with people. Plus evenings are more pleasant, since the sun isn't blaring down so intensely. Also, the water feel really warm after such a hot sunny day, if you're swimming after it cools down a few degrees.

Above: Sawyer and I buried Joe
Below: It drizzled rain for just a bit, and then we got a beautiful rainbow over the water

Sawyer wanted to be buried, too. He thought it was hilarious!

He was even strong enough to work his own way out!