America's Birthday Present

This year was Gabe's first Fourth of July, American style. We had a fun 'summer in the midwest' kind of weekend. Though we had lots o' activities, Gabe did great and really enjoyed all that we did. We started out on Friday afternoon at the pool with our good friends.

Splashing around:




Saturday, we headed up to Su*merfest , "The World's Largest Music Festival," along Milwaukee's lakefront. There are many stages with all different kinds of music acts, all day long. My uncle has gone every year for the past 24 years (my cousin made him take her to see INXS in '86, and he was hooked). We have gone almost every year over the past ten. It's always a fun afternoon checking out new music, having a few Wisconsin beers and cheese curds, and catching up with family. Gabe had a blast dancing to all the rockin' tunes.

Getting our curds:

Family on the lake:
Hide and seek with aunt Bari:
Gettin' his groove on:

Chillin' between shows:

It was great day at Sum*erfest:
On Sunday, Independence Day, we were off to Dave's aunt and uncle's house for their annual party. We eat delicious ribs, play baseball in the backyard, read the Declaration of Independence and listen to patriotic music while we are treated to a typical backyard fireworks display. Gabe liked it in the beginning with all the fun colors...but once they started popping and 'screaming' he wasn't a fan. On the way home, we pointed out all the cool fireworks we could see from the highway in all the surrounding towns. This time Gabe was doing a lot of clapping, laughing and saying 'ooooohhh.'

Running around:

Hanging with Pops:

Hanging with Grandma:
Hanging with Grammie:America sure is lucky to have Gabe as one of her newest citizens. Happy Birthday, America!