Summer Bucket List

I'm getting the list together a little late, but I guess that's the theme this summer...go with the flow. I haven't planned much so far. School got out earlier than usual, but the start of the summer break was dampened by my father-in-law's passing. We had a memorial to plan and relatives visiting from Germany to see. Then my parents celebrated their 50th anniversary and there was planning for that. I'm looking back at last year's list and deciding that I don't want to make this year's list quite so specific. Here's what last year's looked like with some spots marked off mid-way through.

Pool visit (maybe get passes)

X                     Sand Ridge Nature Center

Zig E’s Funland

Albanese Candy Co.

Deep River Water Park

X X X               Library visit

Chelberg Farm

Wicker Park Splash Pad

Calumet City Fun Center

X                     Indiana Dunes

X                     Frozen Yogurt Express in Munster

X                     Free Movie at Lansing 8

                        Zoo (Broofield or Washington Park)

                        Picnic at a local Park

X X                  Kite flying

X X                  Berry Picking (strawberries and blueberries)

                        Downtown day via Metra train

                        Roller Skating (free passes from school)

X                     Tyler’s Tender (free kid meal from birthday club)

                        Mini Golf

X                        Wihala Beach

X                     49-er Drive In

                        Berry Picking (blueberries)

X                       Green Lake Aquatic Center

                        Zoa Island

X                     Cubs game

                        Splash Pad (either Homewood or Valpo – one we haven’t been to)

                        Tyler’s Tender (take report cards – 5 tokens for each A)

                        Hollywood Park

                        Car Show

X X                  Out for a family breakfast/lunch

X                      Boat ride      

X                      Find a new park to visit

                        Fishing

                        County fair

X                        Minor league baseball game

                        Chinatown

                        Try Dairy Belle in Hammond

                        Hoosier Theatre

                        Movie in the Park

X                      Attend a parade

                        Ribfest

                        Overnight at a campground

X                      Farmer’s Market

                        Summer Concert

X                      Dairyville

                        Vintage Base Ball Game

                        Navy Pier

                        Cruise Night

And here's what I'm putting down for this year (and I'm off to an okay start):

Visit at least one beach  X

Visit a farm

Drive in movie

Visit a new ice cream spot

Find a new park to visit

Go to a MLB baseball game  X

Go to a minor league game  X

Go to a farmer's market

Go to a cruise night

Camp overnight

Go to state or county fair

Visit a pool  X

Visit a carnival  X

Visit a water park

Visit an amusement park

Visit a zoo

Go to an arcade

Go to a parade  X

Watch fireworks  X

Go kite flying  X

See a new movie
Berry picking X

Go to a concert

Have some festival food  X

Take a road trip  X

Have lunch at a new restaurant  X

Visit a local festival  X

Go fishing

Visit a nature center

Do a hike
Go to a UPick fruit or veggies/pick something new

See a movie in the park

Do a family bike ride

Watch the sunset over the beach  X

Watch the sun set over a farm  X

Take a day trip into Chicago with family

Visit another state  XX

Go to a museum

Picnic in a park

Make smores in the back yard

Backyard campout in a tent

Catch lightning bugs

One adults only outing (casino, nightclub or overnight getaway)

What's on your summer bucket list?

Mom & Dad celebrate 50 years

I was so happy that my parents celebrated 50 years of marriage this month. We celebrated with a nice party. All six kids were there and most of the grandkids and my aunt and some longtime family friends. It was a wonderful time. Here's a peek at the day.

Mom and Dad's friend Nola checking out photos.

Mom and her sister, who came from the Springfield area for the party.

Mom & Dad and all 6 kids

Most of the gang (minus a son-in-law, four grandkids (and a spouse of a granddaughter) and two great grandkids.

Dad and his youngest grandson. Another grandson is due in November. The oldest of the grandchildren turns 35 next month.

Marking one item off the summer bucket list

Well, it's now been two full weeks since the kids have been out of school. I haven't really felt like it has started. Things were busy as we planned my father-in-law's memorial visitation, visited with relatives from Germany and planned my parents' 50th wedding anniversary. My poor son who graduated 8th grade has yet to have a party...I can't seem to find a date that works out for us or any of the family and I've been so busy with other things that I've kind of dropped the ball. I have work piled up that I HAVE to get done. I've yet to even complete my summer bucket list, although I have a few things floating in my head that I'd like to do. I still have to sign up the kids for the summer camps. I got our pool passes purchased, but we've only been there once for less than 2 hours. Still, we've had a few fun days so far that have helped get us into the lazy summer mood.

One was yesterday as we celebrated Father's Day. One thing I want to do this summer is spend more time at the beach. I've finally gotten over my phobia of sand. :) Seriously, there's just no way to go to the beach and not end up with sand all over your vehicle and covering every inch of the kids. I've finally been able to let go of it and just enjoy a day at the beach and let the sand fall where it may. One thing I wanted to do this year was watch the sun set while we were at the beach and we accomplished that yesterday.

After a full day that included a drive up to Michigan, pancake breakfast at the firehouse, shopping in downtown Three Oaks, a walk through their community gardens, watching the 61st Annual Flag Day Parade, dinner at Nelson's Saloon, hanging out at the park, walking the downtown area and stopping for ice cream, I told my husband that parking is free after 8 p.m. at the New Buffalo Beach, so we decided we'd visit the beach before heading home. So, here's a look at our visit, from when we arrived to just before we left.