Dan's 30th Birthday

I know, I know; I've been terrible about keeping my blog updated! It's not intentional, I promise! It's just that we've basically had company back-to-back (and I'm not complaining--I love visitors!) so blogging has kind of fallen by the wayside.

So let's back up to the weekend of October 8. Nancy came out that Friday, the 7th, and she and I had a fun time taking Kate downtown to eat at Frida's. It was such a beautiful fall day, we actually ate outside (who says Wisconsin is always cold?) She loved seeing Kate and was so impressed that her not-quite-20-month-old niece could pick out the letters A, K and S! That night, we went to a fish fry at the Esquire Club; it was fun to take Nancy to some of our favorite places.

Then Saturday (Dan's birthday) was a gorgeous day, so we headed up to the Dells and took a wagon ride tour in the Lost Canyon. It was so beautiful to see all the fall foliage! That night, Nancy watched Kate so Dan & I could go out for his birthday. We tried a new Italian restaurant downtown called Francesca's Al Lago. It was quite good!

Sunday we went to the Arboretum to take advantage of the continued beautiful weather, and that night, we had the Hines over for a fall dinner (including pumpkin ginger soup--yum!) since they wanted to see Nancy before her short trip was up.

Monday we met Dan for lunch at Sprecher's, where we were again able to eat outside (Kate & I went there for his birthday last year, too, and also ate outside... hmmm, must be something about that weekend that always brings good weather!) Then Nancy, Kate & I went to the zoo for awhile before Kate's nap. Nancy flew out that night; we were so glad she was able to visit, even if it was just for a short while. We certainly got a lot done during her time here!


On the Lost Canyon tour




Such a pretty baby girl


Listening intently to the tour guide




At the Arboretum on Sunday




Love those fall colors!






Loving her Aunt Nancy


Kate and some 30-year-old guy




Gazing out the window of the trolley (there was a free trolley tour at the Arboretum)




You can tell it's almost naptime; she looks so sleepy!


At the park a few days before Nancy's visit

Such an independent little walker now!