Life snapshot

Time has been slipping quickly through our fingers.  So much happening yet no time to review and reflect on it.  Today we are taking an easy Saturday, with friends visiting with their kids.  Tonight another family arrives, and we will have a total of 9 children running around, which will be a blast.  The last few weeks have seen an end to my school year, the beginnings of summer school, and a little time to take some deep breaths.  I am just now beginning to reflect on the last year of my new job as assistant principal, and I am also looking forward to the next year!  Running is beginning to happen on a more and more regular basis, as the beginnings of my training plan for the New York Marathon is happening.  My legs are resisting, but the miles are slowly adding up.  I hope to find my routine and get in the running groove sooner than later.  Just keep running, I guess.  Instead of a lengthy post this time around, I am uploading the pictures that I have taken over the last few weeks.  They mainly cover my sister, Eden, visiting and our recent family trip to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  My favorite thing on that trip was our visit on the 4th of July to the Dark Sky Park, where there was minimal light pollution and we just stared off into the universe at all of the stars for over an hour, just talking and laying in the sand, being a family.  It was what I consider a complete moment in my life.  Below are many other wonderful snapshot moments from the happenings and ongoings of the Orelove Family:

Aunt Eden and the girls pose at the movie theater before seeing Finding Dorie.  

Eden and Uncle Stuart at the 3-D T-Rex movie at the Field Museum.

Violet at her first Sox game!  

Our seats were first row in left center field!  

Ninja Violet.  Radical, man!

White Fence Farm fried chicken for a family gathering.

Audrey and cousin Spencer.

At LegoLand:  E=MC Booger

At LegoLand:  The Blues Brothers do the Jailhouse Rock.  My personal favorite thing at this place.

At LegoLand:  The Bean

At LegoLand:  Indiana Jones

At LegoLand:  Tiger

At LegoLand:  Hippo

At LegoLand:  Star Wars

At LegoLand:  Violet and Darth Vader.  He is her hero!  

At LegoLand:  Lion!

At LegoLand:  Everything is awesome!

At LegoLand:  Violet helps make a Lego in the factory tour.

At LegoLand:  Audrey with Hagrid and Harry Potter.

At LegoLand:  The giant giraffe that greets you at the enterance.  

Somewhere over the rainbow:  The girls enjoy their first visit to our new favorite theater, Hollywood Palms!  The decor is amazing!  

Violet hanging in Chicago before we go to the Field Museum.

At the Field Museum with Aunt Eden!

Group photo when we meet-up with Uncle Stuart.  

We always visit Bushman the gorilla.  This one is for you, Dad!

3-D T-Rex Movie.  Eden and Violet.

While waiting for the 3-D T-Rex movie, Violet tried on a few pairs of glasses.

We immediately went to see Sue after the movie!  The girls were pumped.  They pretended to be T-Rex for several days afterwards!

Violet riding in Africa!

Violet napping in ancient Egypt.  

The girls and Uncle Stuart.  We love this guy!  

Breakfast in the backyard.

Audrey walking Phoebe at the Renwick Bird Preserve.  Taking a rest in the shade.

Violet was too hot to walk....after 2 minutes.

Playing in the back yard on the new play set with Aunt Eden!

Brookfield Zoo with Aunt Eden!  

Kangaroo!

The girls love these photo ops.  

Walking through African forest 

Pygmy Hippo!   

Going ape at the zoo!

Getting Loony!

Vulture wings!

Violet and frog.

Brushing the goats.

Feeding the budgies!

Violet loves this Red Panda statue.

Finishing the day on the carousel!  

Roasting smores in the back yard with our friends!

Violet showing me the importance of the slap watch.

Audrey, smore, backyard = bliss.

Violet and I walked around the pond during the 4th of July party.  

Boating at party on the pond.  Violet is the co-captain.

Breakfast selfie in Mackinaw City.  

Throwing rocks on Mackinaw Island.

My ladies.

Sisters on Mackinaw Island.  A beautiful day.

Phoebe enjoying the shade.  She loved this trip and really felt like part of the family on this trip.  I want to take her on another big road trip sometime!

Windy ride on the ferry back to the mainland!

One of many beaches on our trip through Michigan.

Girls at the Cherry Festival and carnival in Traverse City.

Violet pumped that she meets the minimum height qualifications!  

Audrey loves cherries.  So she was at home during the Cherry Festival!

This was the last picture I took on our Michigan trip.  It is in the morning in Traverse City before we hit the road to return home.  It makes me feel peaceful!