Cousin visit

Well, we did have one more big event on our summer schedule, and that was a visit from Cousin Megan.  Megan is Dave's sister's daughter and turned 12 this year.  As part of her birthday present, her parents bought her a ticket to come visit us in Chicago.

We were all excited to have her come especially the girls.  She was with us for about 5 days of fun and hanging out.  Ironically, the weekend she was here happened to be the coldest EVER in Chicago in July.  It literally was a record, we had some temperatures in the 50s!  Usually, it is scorching hot and humid.  July in Chicago is normally so uncomfortable but not this time.  Unfortunately, that created a snag in some of our swimming and outdoor plans but we improvised.

So here is a quick rundown of what we did:

1)We spent a day in Chicago.  We started out at the Lincoln Park Zoo

After the zoo, we went into the Lincoln Park neighborhood to eat at a little Italian place called the Pasta Bowl.  Pasta is Megan's favorite food.  Hey, I'm going to be the fun Aunt, if you want pasta...pasta it is.  And I'm not making you eat vegetables either!

The restaurant was on Clark Street in Lincoln Park which happens to be a street lined with independent restaurants and speciality shops.  It's very fun to just walk up and down, especially if you are looking for somewhere new to eat.

Our next stop was Molly's Cupcakes.  It's a famous Chicago shop.  They've been on and won "Cupcake Wars" on the Food Network.  I figured we were so close, it was worthing stopping by, plus who doesn't want to wash down Fettuccine Alfredo with a cupcake?

Paige had cake batter, Ashley had Boston Creme, Megan had Oreo, and I had Coconut Carmel.  Oh yeah, they were good.

After this, we went to the beach for a swim in Lake Michigan.  The temperature was barely 80 degrees,   and the water was cold but it was still fun.  Personally, I didn't go in the water.  It was just so nice to sit on the beach with a cool breeze blowing, so relaxing.  The girls however, did play in the water and sand.  They know how to have fun.

2) Bowling and shopping.  We had planned to go to a big water park but the temperatures started dropping and the high didn't even get out the 60s, so we chose some indoor activities.  It also gave us a little more time to just hang out at the house to visit and play.  It was also on this day that we introduced Megan to macaroni and cheese pizza.  Yep, it's real.

3)Paddle boats and smores.  We went to downtown Naperville for dinner one day, but also decided to do the paddle boats.  We ended up with two boats, because Paige wanted to peddle rather than just sit in the back.  Ashley and Megan had their own boat and Dave, Paige and I in the other.  Funny thing on my boat is that my fellow peddler, Paige quite after 5 minutes, so I pretty much had to peddle Dave and Paige around the lake the whole time...it figures.

When we got back home, we realized it was perfect cold weather to start a fire in the fire pit and make smores!  In fact, it was so cold, Megan had to borrow a sweat shirt.  We roasted marshmallows and the girls even had a war with marshmallow guns.

4) Crazy, busy Sunday.  Megan got to enjoy an all too-typical Sunday with us.  Ashley and I had early meetings.  Dave, Megan and Paige met us at church for Sacrament meeting.  Then (this was unusual) they all left to take Ashley and Paige to a dress rehearsal for their upcoming piano recital.  For their recital, they were playing on a grand piano and the only time they could practice on it was at a particular time on this Sunday.  After a quick piano practice they all came back to church in time for YW.  Megan went to class with Ashley.  After church we came home and had dinner then Ashley, Megan, Paige and I left for a youth fireside.  Right after the fireside, there was a ward social to wish a family who was moving farewell.  We didn't get home until after 9pm but I think the kids had fun visiting with friends and eating lots of snacks and goodies.

So these are the highlights of Megan's visit with us.  I know we all wish she could have stayed with us for a few more days, but I'm pretty sure her own family was missing her.  She was good company and it was very fun to get to spend a lot more time with her.  She's a great gal!!