#88. Summer: Some Things Old and Some Things New

Another fun summer in the books!!

Another summer has come and passed and the twins definitely had a good one.  Some of the twins' activities have been the same as last summer, and some have been new 'adventures'.  

There were, of course, trips to Hartigan's for ice cream...

...and many visits to the playground to swing (both twins can swing on their own now!!)

The twins did a great job cheering on Daddy again in his running race...

...so great that he ran 4 minutes faster this year!!

There were many trips to the various Evanston beaches this summer.

There was fun once again in the water...

...on land...

...and burying full bodies in the sand!!

One beach visit was even with a friend!

Our two little ones are becoming more and more comfortable...

...at the beach and in the water.

The beach was a hit this summer as much as summer '18 (left)...and likely will be again in summer '20!!

We made our annual summer pilgrimage up the road to the Bahá'í Temple in Wilmette...

...and enjoyed the beautiful temple grounds...

...and fountains onsite!!

Speaking of the fountains, they were definitely the highlight this year...

...and garnered a lot of attention!!

We're sure to be back to the temple for another visit next summer!

We made the short trip back to Lovelace Park in Evanston...

...to hang out...

...and see how the ducks we visited last year are doing!

We kept up with our traditional excursion to downtown Chicago aboard the L...

...to visit 'the Bean',...

(This year we were enamored with taking pictures of our reflections...

...on the Bean!!)

...to have another romp in Maggie Daley Park,...

...and to enjoy the Crown Fountain.

Getting wet never seems...

...to get old (hence the two different outfits worn this day in these photos)!

We are sure to be back to add to this (now) three summer photo montage next year!!

Though many summer activities were 'established traditions, summer '19 also came with some new experiences.    

Five year old legs can walk a little farther, so this year's trip downtown added on a trek to the famous Buckingham Fountain...

...which afforded us some nice skyline backgrounds!

(Though the glaring sun wasn't cooperating!!)

We made a second trip downtown this year...

...to catch the Special Olympics Duck Derby along the Chicago River.

Though none of our five ducks (out of 63,000+) won the race...

...we still enjoyed the summer day together!

This summer, the twins decided to get 'sporty'...

...and attended a soccer camp...

...where they learned some skills...

...and made some new friends!

Luke & Clare both had a great time...

...and soccer is now likely added...

...to the growing list...

...of summer traditions!

Another new experience this year was taking piano lessons...

The twins have been working with a student from Northwestern...

...to learn keys on the piano, how to play scales, and some basic sight reading!!

Progress is slow, but we look forward to hearing the improvement as they continue lessons this fall!

Though we are sad to see summer go, the great thing about summer is that it will be here again before we know it...

...and it will be another chance to experience old traditions and try new things!!