July 25 - FLOOD

Well, we have been in downtown Naper the past 3 years now and 2 of the 3 have featured 2 of the biggest rain events in the 150 yr history. 7 inches of rain in 24 hours means river is hiiiiiiigh.

We have lost (misplaced?) our main camera - so the iPhone quality is best it gets for the moment.


Not a good year to own Rosebud in Naperville. 3 weeks ago, the place nearly burns down, and now they probably have flood damage again.



Normally, you can walk under that bridge, with head room to spare...so my guess is water is 6-7 ft above normal levels.
No, its not the Lousiana Bayou - its the Naperville Riverwalk Park area...needless to say, kids did not play there today. We had told Carter he caused all this because the night before he had broke the kitchen faucet...I think he believed us for a bit given the look on his face.



Another bridge downs stream.


And finally, a non flood pic - Connor playing games at the Library.

July 5th

The ideal long summer weekend...90 degrees, sun, sun and more sun. Kids got their share of local events this weekend. Started out at Eyes to the Skies in Lisle on Friday night for some hot air balloons, rides and fireworks round 2 (they already had round 1 the weekend before in Cleveland). Saturday was a local day to chill and probably was the most perfect summer day..near 90, no humidity, the smell and sounds of ribfest in the air...we spent the day at Centennial Beach and a cookouts/smores at night. Sunday started out with intentions to go walk down to Ribfest early and then go back later that night for Sister Hazel concert and fireworks - but we chose not to tempt the patients of the kids, as the humidity returned and the 95 heat index put a halt on plans until later in the day. Except for a random 2 minute shower - was about perfect. And kudos to Naperville and the expanded layout. Its probably twice as large as b4, with two main concert stages - but there is so much more room to move around and places to sit.

Kids were so beat they slept to nearly 8am today...which is a record, by more than 1 hr!

On their fav ride - they went on 4 times - corners gave them a good whip.


Eatin ribs and fries...


Shot of south stage ... there is now a similar sized north stage too.


And monday...a trip to the Glen Ellyn spray park (newer, and very nice...and cheap, $3)


Another trip around the track (in the candies car).


On the kiddie ferris wheel.


On the monkey spinner with a buddy from Carters class.


Connor and one of his little nightly bike rides to check the mail at the other house (and yes, I know he has no helmet in this pic).

Fun in the backyard sprinkler

Lisle hot air balloon festival...

Going on coaster at Kiddie Park in Cleveland...this ride is the original...has not been changed in 60 years.


Another Kiddie Park ride.

At a Brecksville, OH festival with G'ma and G'pa...



A shot with great grandma...sadly, may be the last pic...as this was taken at Hospice.


Kiddie park snacks with G'pa...

June 20th

Another 6 months, getting around to another update. We are now officially moved into what is our 4th house in literally two years. Lived at 1253 Tamarack up to July 08, moved to Chicago Ave while building house #1, moved into house #1 in Aug 09, moved out of house #1, on now at Mill St while we build house #2. Hopefully, it will be five moves within 3 years come next spring, and I think that will be it for moves. Would love to keep building, but will have to involve some other means than us moving all the time. Was rather interesting that while house #1 was on the market - we seem to be designing a house style that people like, as I had one offer to buy my house plan and several people mention having interest in me actually building houses for them (albeit, it was likely just small talk). With that said, it is on to the 2nd build and that blog we start when that time nears.

Attached are several pics from a fathers day excursion to downtown Downers Grove to the Tivoli Theatre basement for some bowling at Tivoli Lanes. The idea to take the 10 minute train ride from Naper to Downers was scratched due to the threat of storms and the fact that we have been stuck 3 times in storms after having walked downtown the past 3 weeks.

Tivoli Lanes is the perfect little old school bowling alley for kids. Kids are free on weekends (except for shoes) and I bowled free for fathers day (albeit, its only $1 per game anyhow on summer weekends).





A couple random shots of the 2 minute long Naperville Memorial Day parade before a monsoon rolled in and we swam home.

Wow! An Update

5 months since last update - so figure it is time. Kids, a job and finishing up the house all but consumed every waking moment this past summer. Someday I will get around to finishing up the story on that blog...for now, still working on some final projects. Will eventually get around to having some sort of open house party. We went to a halloween open house party at a house down the street from us that was finished recently - and it was cool to see how it really has a neighborhood feel around here. The blocks around us really came to life on halloween.

Anyways - here is a slew of pics from the past few months.

Playing in the snowbanks of leaves that line the streets...


Headed out for trick or treating trek #3 (having already done Safety Town and downtown Naperville the weekend earlier).


The boys helping me construct the mudroom bench/locker system...


Downtown Naperville trick or treating.



Cousin Erin loovvvves picking up Connor an Carter.


A family get together.

Connor/Carter stealing dads chair.


Trick or treating at safety town.


The exterior is done...so here are a couple photos. The autumn blaze maple tree is true to its name.




At the Morton Arboretum with G'Ma Cook


Carters 2nd birthday.



A visit with Great Uncle Tom in Minneapolis.

The planting of the autumn blaze maple - when it was still green.


Connor at the Last Fling downtown - he was more than eager to ride the coasters and rides this year...Carter was having none of it.

Connor and his "friend that is a girl", Olivia...well, from all we hear, girlfriend...as they apparently are attached at the hip during school. Somedays when I drop him off, Olivia comes over, and takes his hand and they go off to play.

At a Thomas party at the other Train place in Downers Grove (on 75th) for his buddy Jackson.

Stopping by the Memorial day parade in Naperville...

Making stuff at the Arboretum.

Making his first Smore with G'ma...