Summer fun!

I realize I am months behind in updating Emma's blog!  So much to catch up on! Here is a quick recap of some of our fun happenings during the summer months:

Boy, do we love Independence Day in Boston!  We celebrate for a full week with numerous fun events.  Here are a few pics of Emma listening to Mayor Menino read "Make Way for Ducklings" 

The night of the 3rd, the Boston Pops does a live rehearsal that draws quite the crowd.  Emma and I moseyed over and watched it from the big screen.  Here Emma is clapping along during the sing along to Yankee Doodle :)  

I suppose Patrick had a good excuse for not going with us... here was the view from his seat.  

The Finns relaxed on the fourth and enjoyed a cupcake at Georgetown Cupcake.

And then walked across the street for a view of the fireworks display. 

New to Boston this year was a week long performing arts festival called Outside the Box that was held in the Boston Commons.  There was lots of great music.  

In between sets Emma enjoyed watching the bubble man.

There was a giant tent dedicated to drumming- can you find Patrick?

Always up for the carousel :)

Watching some aerial dancers.

Enjoying some more music with our friends.

My old coworker, Nicole, came up from NYC for a visit. 

Riding some Rodys in the kids play area at Outside the Box.  

Love the carousel!

And swimming in the Frog Pond!

Thanks for visiting Nicole!  Please visit again soon! Clearly in the picture below, Emma enjoyed her drink.

Here are Patrick and Emma enjoying another kids' music festival in Copley Square.  

Look who we found!!

We had wonderful picnics with our buddies. 

Followed up by a quick swim :)

 Emma got a taste of suburban life for a night.  We BBQ'd over at Rosie and Ed's new house.  

Emma and I made our first trip to the Museum of Science and it is quickly becoming one of our favorite places.  Emma appreciates a good taxidermy exhibit! 

Science really makes you think! 

A highlight of the trip is the butterfly room.  It's the same concept as the butterfly garden at Reiman Gardens in Ames but just on a smaller scale. 

We LOVE summer and miss it so much!  It's a good thing fall is so dang nice too!

Green Lake

This summer we made our annual Green Lake trip.  This year marks the 10th year of our get together in Wisconsin... hard to believe! The first year we went, the Fishman, Nusbaum, and Finn couples were still only dating and through the years we have added Brittany Bauer and Aya Ivacic to the group.  Ten years later we have celebrated five marriages and added three munchkins to the group.  This year Mark Christensen introduced us to his girlfriend (another couple that dated in high school, in addition to the Finns and Nusbaums) and we feel as if our group is complete :) 

Sadly we experienced a 2.5 hour delay flying out of Boston :(  

Here is how Emma passed the time:

We finally made it! Mark purchased a beautiful Chris Craft so we all rode comfortably in two boats!

Two college roommates with....two potential college roommates?

Hanging out at the Sand Bar - Emma enjoyed socializing from the raft on her father's lap.

And the next day she chill-axed with her mom and Brittany on the raft... 

Emma and Olivia

This year we happened to be there for the Green Lake County Fair!  The three Finns popped by to see the animals and enjoy a slice of apple pie.  I am a huge cow enthusiast, particularly for black and white cows, so I was over the moon excited!

The farmer encouraged us to jump in and pet the 1,400 lb ladies.  

We also saw some chubby piggies

some sweet sheep

and got to feed some silly goats.

Below are pictures take in a noisy room filled with chickens, roosters, ducks, turkeys, bunnies, and even two peacocks.  So fun to see so many of our favorite animals! 

We LOVE Green Lake!

Emma with her Godparents

                                           2012            Napping on the boat!               2013