Ethan floating on Treasure Lake (at one point in his life, he was sure he was going to find the treasure that lay beneath the lake).

Eating on the deck (it must be near the end of the week because Nana is looking a little tired!).

Summer Scout Camp was HOT!

Ethan went to scout camp this summer. It was hot, but fun. Dana and I came along to help for a couple of days. For us, it was just hot. He made crafts, learned about first aid, nature, archery and bb-guns.

Archery was Ethan's favorite event at camp.

Raingutter Regatta

We did lots of other scout activities over the summer besides camp. Here's a picture of Ethan competing in a raingutter regatta. He was very proud to have taken first place!

The Cousins Come For a Visit!!

Look out Ma & Pa! The Krazy Kousins are back and they are taking over in force!

Ronan & Etienne spent a week with us in May as their parents spent some time together in LA--we had a great time with them! You can see the first thing everyone went to was the dress up bin!

We had some fun at home and then spent the night at a hotel and went to a water park. I don't know what was more exciting--the hotel or the water park?!

The boys had a blast playing at the water park. We took so many cute pictures, I wish I could post all of them!

Ethan, Ronan & Etienne on top of some floating device.

The boys get soaked by the BIG bucket!

Under cover from the dumping water bucket!

ALL the boys were wiped out after this day (me, too)!

Easter Morning 2006

And God bless us, every one (oh, wait that's Christmas!). Well, enjoy the candy and the day with your family. The Easter bunny (um...turtle?) was good to us this year!

The Easter bunny keeps making those eggs harder to reach each year!

Easter Egg Hunt at the Daniels

Lots of goodies in here!

HAPPY EASTER!

HAPPY 8th BIRTHDAY, ETHAN!

Ethan had his birthday at a local children's science museum. Here the kids are having a great time making fossils.

"Eight is Great!"

We don't know who's having more fun--Dana or the kids?

Ethan has something REALLY important to share with Julie!

Ethan couldn't be happier standing between his two best friends, Katie & Jacob!

Time to blow out the candles, birthday boy!

Mmm, this cake is really good!

Ethan got lots of fun gifts, but some of the more memorable ones were the turtle windchime given by Katie.

And, of course, the Wonka Bar (along with a nice gift certificate) given by Jacob.

Ethan also received a very nice Lionel train set from Nana and Papa!

Thank you Nana & Papa!

HEY! Give my dad a great evaluation--he rocks!

(This was a shameless ploy to influence Dana's end of semester large freshman lecture evaluations. By that point, however, the die was cast, and no child, however adorable, could save him!--Just kidding, he did a great job--and thanks, Ethan for giving Dad the extra help!)

My Kind of Town

Another visit to the City by the Lake, Chicago! Dana had a conference to attend and Ethan and I accompanied him. We did so many fun things. We stayed at the Palmer House, went to the top of the Sears Tower, went to the Shedd Aquarium, and the Field Museum, ate our first Chicago deep dish pizza, and did lots of shopping!

Top of the Tower to You!

Hello way down there! Ethan & I are at the top of the Sears Tower in Chicago. The 3rd tallest building in the WORLD!

Chicago's streets are clean!

Cool--a real street sweeper!

The Palmer House

We stayed a couple of nights right in the city at the FANCY (read over-priced) Palmer House. We learned that the Palmer House is where the brownie was first created in 1893.

Shedd Aquarium

Turtles, turtles everywhere! We went to the aquarium and saw so many turtles! Turtles are Ethan's new obsession! We stocked up on Turtle souvenirs at the gift store.

Nickel the Turtle

Of all the turtles we saw, Nickel was the favorite, and the largest! He is a rescued sea turtle from Florida.

Fun at the Field!

We went to the Field Museum in Chicago.
We saw lots of animals and rocks from around the world. We learned about ancient Egypt and Pompeii and saw really neat artifacts.

Whoa!

Ethan, have you EVER seen a quartz that big? We had fun at the Field Museum!

Look at that!

At the Field, we saw a large piece of Rhodocrosite from Argentina!

Christmas Cookies--mmm!

Ethan & Mom are working
hard to make sure we have
lots of cookies to leave for
Santa and his reindeer.

You Sank My Battleship!

Woo-hoo--Ethan got just what he wanted!

Pomegranates?!

How DID Santa know we love pomegranates? He's the BEST!
Thank you, Santa!

The Windy City

No better way to see Chicago skyline in the winter than from the inside--thanks to the great Museum of Science and Industry!

More of the mini city scape with Mom & Ethan. We took a fun trip to Chicago over the Thanksgiving weekend. We loved the Museum of Science & Industry and we did lots of shopping!

More fun at the Museum (and check out Dana's waist pack!)

We're standing in front of a gigantic German submarine. You can't see it very well, so submerge for a better picture!
(I couldn't resist)

U-505

A little history factoid: You're looking at the U-505, the only German submarine captured by the US Navy during WW 2. --Thanks again, Museum of Science & Industry!

Happy Thanksgiving!

"I've got plenty to be thankful for.

I haven't got a great big yacht to sail from shore to shore.

Still, I've got plenty to be thankful for.

I've got eyes to see with, ears to hear with, arms to hug with, lips to kiss with, someone to adore.

Oh, I've got plenty to be thankful for!"

Trick or Treat, Soldier!

Attention troops! This is not a drill--it's trick or treat time! Grab your bag, grab your flashlight--and hit the pavement!

Top Secret Mission: Willie Wonka

Candy o' Plenty!

Ethan took no prisoners--only lots of sugary treats!