Butterflies and Blooms

We went to the Chicago Botanic Garden on the final weekend of their summer exhibit called "Butterflies & Blooms." We invited my sister's family to come with us and got there just before it started raining, courtesy of Hurricane Isaac. We were not disappointed by the beautiful butterflies or blooms. Hope you enjoy the beauty as much as we did. (Credit for butterfly photos goes to my husband.)

tmm

Apple Picking

Fall is my favorite season. I love the changing leaves, the crisp cool weather, baseball ends and football begins, and the bake-able foods--specifically apples and pumpkins. We were able to go apple picking to a place I've gone almost for the past 9 or 10 years, Royal Oak Farm Orchard. This year I was able to introduce my sister, brother-in-law, and two nieces to it. We had a great time, despite the rain. We ate at the delicious restaurant, picked apples in the downpour, got some delectable apple cider donuts, fed the goats at the petting zoo, and rode the carousel. Great times were had by all!

Hitching a ride to the orchard

Fun despite the rain

"Come here, Mr. Goat. I have food."

Puddle jumping!

Carousel ride

Kalli grinned every time she passed her mommy.

 Lewis fam

And a few more pics in a collage (a few will be repeats, but they're cute pics).

tm

Grandma's Photo Shoot

My sister, Lisa, and her husband, Peter, and their two daughters went on vacation to the East Coast recently and were able to stop and see our Grandma Boyle near Ocean City, Maryland. They also found a photographer to do a nice photo shoot of them with Grandma. I wanted to share a quick link to the photographer's website where she posted a few pics.

I may be a bit biased, but I think my grandma looked GORGEOUS and the girls are just adorable! Lisa and Peter look good, too. ;) See for yourself at the photographer's website.
tmm