polar bear swimming

Sterling Heights Nature Center

We had intended to go to the "wooden playground" (as my kids call it)

but it was crawling with people, so we detoured to the Sterling Heights Nature Center.

Celeste and Logan get up close and personal with a snake!

A few of the turtles were in this tub because their pond was getting cleaned out.

Steven asked, and then got to hold a garter snake!!

Not to be out done by her younger brother, Celeste also had a turn!

My little Logie, tearing down the sidewalk!

Zoo Day

A beautiful August 1, 2010...

So, we decided to go to the zoo!

First thing, we decided to take the train to the back of the zoo and work our way forward.
Celeste and Steven pose for a shot before entering the seal & polar bear exhibit.

One of the zoo's bears swimming.
They are so amazing!

The kids love it when we happen to catch a polar bear in the water.

They could sit and watch in the underwater tube forever, if I let them.

Here is one of the seals just hanging out.

What a trio!

I can't remember what animal this is...

I only remember telling Steven I thought they looked alike!

Logan reaches out to "touch" a snake.

This is a closer look at the snake Logan was so interested in.

NASCAR, Chicagoland Speedway, July 10, 2010

Chris and I had the opportunity to attend our first NASCAR race in Chicago.

Of course, we could not pass!!

And, as it turns out, we had a BLAST!

On our way into the speedway.

A beautiful sky as the sun was going down.

You can get a feel for how fast the cars are going in this shot too...

the car in the foreground is just a blur!

Just a blur!

We were sitting between turn 4 and the finish line - here is a look down the grandstand.

Steven's new "do"

Steven welcomed the end of kindergarten and the beginning of summer with a new "do"

Chicago!

We spent a little time today getting to know our new hometown...

HELLO CHICAGO!

Of course, before the real journey began,

A little time in the hotel pool was a MUST.

Next stop, Willis Tower (formerly known as the Sears Tower) skydeck.

Here is Celeste, just hanging (literally hanging) around,

waiting to ride the elevator up to the 130th floor, 1,353 feet up.

Steven and Logan waiting for the elevator.

The view from 1,353 feet above Chicago!

Amazing!

In this picture, you can see the planetarium and aquarium.

One of the newest features of the Willis Tower Skydeck,

The Ledge...

The Ledge, protrudes 4.5 feet outside the exterior of the building...

you step out of the building into a glass box.

it's like stepping off the edge...

crazy, awesome!

Celeste, Steven and I pose for a picture while

standing on a piece of glass 1,353 feet above the ground!

With the recent win of the Stanley Cup by the Chicago Blackhawks,

everyone, even the lions in front of the art museum got in the spirit of hockey!

As we finally made our way back to our car,

we couldn't resist playing in the fountain at Millenium Park!

Where's Waldo... er, Logan?

Can you find Logan in this picture???

He's up in the window!