It has been an incredibly crazy spring and summer, and thus we’ve allocated no time to getting photos up. But this weekend in the hospital has given me an opportunity to get a little caught up.

Our one vacation of the summer came early and was a chance to combine trips to visit family with an educational and fun sailing trip on Lake Superior.

We started the fun with a trip to visit Jinny & Justin in Chicago. This trip included a train ride (which was a huge hit with the girls), a bus ride, the zoo, and Giordanos pizza:

[pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/-O8K1iWAk6kc/UfHW3JuKm7I/AAAAAAAAK3I/yd_PEXlyh0k/s144-o/DSC_3933.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/103369115986217518663/ChicagoCabinSailing2013#5904736829450132402″ caption=”Here comes our train!” type=”image” alt=”DSC_3933.JPG” ] [pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kdMWo4bUlCo/UfHW_gHsXKI/AAAAAAAAK3Q/Fws1AHBDl2Y/s144-o/DSC_3936.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/103369115986217518663/ChicagoCabinSailing2013#5904736972901735586″ caption=”Wow, look its a people train!” type=”image” alt=”DSC_3936.JPG” ] [pe2-image src=”http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CPRDkAbB6hY/UfHXGMM8K6I/AAAAAAAAK3Y/6rbRx4TIr_k/s144-o/DSC_3938.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/103369115986217518663/ChicagoCabinSailing2013#5904737087814118306″ caption=”The family hopping on the train” type=”image” alt=”DSC_3938.JPG” ] [pe2-image src=”http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4fjnAmrTIRc/UfHXOTSmChI/AAAAAAAAK3o/BUmAJG2oa80/s144-o/DSC_3941.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/103369115986217518663/ChicagoCabinSailing2013#5904737227155835410″ caption=”The girls decided they needed to sit together” type=”image” alt=”DSC_3941.JPG” ] [pe2-image src=”http://lh3.ggpht.com/-26XpSj-fdcA/UfIWhrAezCI/AAAAAAAAK4E/VSROTAHQEWY/s144-o/VID_20130611_075441_454.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/103369115986217518663/ChicagoCabinSailing2013#5904806829172378658″ caption=”Grace and Madelyn watching out the window as we ride the train into Chicago to go to the zoo” type=”video” alt=”VID_20130611_075441_454.mp4″ ] [pe2-image src=”http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Jt3B5ZbVk7w/UfIXJ3QwrVI/AAAAAAAAK4Q/xAKMWugnV9k/s144-o/DSC_3949.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/103369115986217518663/ChicagoCabinSailing2013#5904807519656652114″ caption=”Madelyn watching the lion, yikes!” type=”image” alt=”DSC_3949.JPG” ] [pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Tqf60ivfrHA/UfIYdKdRo5I/AAAAAAAAK4o/AnyEmJdRo2o/s144-o/DSC_3955.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/103369115986217518663/ChicagoCabinSailing2013#5904808950738559890″ caption=”The girls checking out the giraffes” type=”image” alt=”DSC_3955.JPG” ] [pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/-K8fPig0_6tU/UfIZk9I-Q1I/AAAAAAAAK5I/nTYbBtbQQ04/s144-o/DSC_3982.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/103369115986217518663/ChicagoCabinSailing2013#5904810184114324306″ caption=”Madelyn checking out the lion” type=”image” alt=”DSC_3982.JPG” ] [pe2-image src=”http://lh3.ggpht.com/-31snaPwHAn8/UfL8e-LFoiI/AAAAAAAAK60/dgd8T5ZyH_Y/s144-o/DSC_4017.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/103369115986217518663/ChicagoCabinSailing2013#5905059670451921442″ caption=”Madelyn loves her sunglasses” type=”image” alt=”DSC_4017.JPG” ]

And next came a trip to the children’s museum, which the girls LOVED:

[pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YU0fjzlRlmY/UfPxoRkn2kI/AAAAAAAAK9Y/9VvzCLbvrto/s144-o/DSC_4080.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/103369115986217518663/ChicagoCabinSailing2013#5905329210626923074″ caption=”Madelyn had to get in on the fun, too” type=”image” alt=”DSC_4080.JPG” ] [pe2-image src=”http://lh6.ggpht.com/-N5lbmpScMmY/UfPx8dhtcrI/AAAAAAAAK94/vzwoxgdHhac/s144-o/DSC_4089.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/103369115986217518663/ChicagoCabinSailing2013#5905329557433316018″ caption=”Grace building a track for her ball” type=”image” alt=”DSC_4089.JPG” ] [pe2-image src=”http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_DYjNKZiEtY/UfPyBrgrpNI/AAAAAAAAK-A/YkZVuJJziZo/s144-o/DSC_4090.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/103369115986217518663/ChicagoCabinSailing2013#5905329647086445778″ caption=”Madelyn playing with her own track” type=”image” alt=”DSC_4090.JPG” ] [pe2-image src=”http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mWxviktIMX8/UfRjiebspyI/AAAAAAAAK_8/DHoS3CSw2-g/s144-o/DSC_4105.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/103369115986217518663/ChicagoCabinSailing2013#5905454455325501218″ caption=”Madelyn & Grace playing in the water table” type=”image” alt=”DSC_4105.JPG” ] [pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HNeUA7ze6vI/UfWyRXrlVfI/AAAAAAAALAs/CyXIv3egHv0/s144-o/VID_20130612_113456_868.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/103369115986217518663/ChicagoCabinSailing2013#5905822497850611186″ caption=”The kids playing in the water at the children's museum” type=”video” alt=”VID_20130612_113456_868.mp4″ ]

Then some time to grocery shop and prepare for the sailing trip. Next it was north to the lake, and the beginning of Greg and I’s captain certification course. We spent 2 days with a US Coast Guard certified captain who put us through the wringer with emergency procedures, docking, foul weather preparedness, and funny enough, manual charting and navigation without a GPS.

[pe2-image src=”http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jTIpoI4nrTE/UfYCpjZ69wI/AAAAAAAALBw/lvuIl0v17kk/s144-o/DSC_4135.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/103369115986217518663/ChicagoCabinSailing2013#5905910874244839170″ caption=”Admiral Steve giving captain-in-training Greg some pointers” type=”image” alt=”DSC_4135.JPG” ] [pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/-U1c6u5YAK8M/Uh6_EG15IiI/AAAAAAAALWc/c7pQzI-cSK8/s144-o/DSC_4140.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/103369115986217518663/ChicagoCabinSailing2013#5917377037688447522″ caption=”Greg and Admiral Steve discussing the trimming of the sails” type=”image” alt=”DSC_4140.JPG” ] [pe2-image src=”http://lh5.ggpht.com/-g-PnOfzNHGI/UfYCzqdkEBI/AAAAAAAALCA/6tGz5aSClz4/s144-o/DSC_4144.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/103369115986217518663/ChicagoCabinSailing2013#5905911047937855506″ caption=”Jill practicing her knot tying” type=”image” alt=”DSC_4144.JPG” ] [pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/–VOUwWzdWcQ/UfYC-wuqVkI/AAAAAAAALCQ/5WhF1RFFEBg/s144-o/DSC_4146.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/103369115986217518663/ChicagoCabinSailing2013#5905911238598743618″ caption=”Admiral Steve, Captain Geoff & Captain Greg and the crew next to our boat” type=”image” alt=”DSC_4146.JPG” ]

After Greg and I passed the course and got our certifications, we spent the next 3 days sailing with the girls and Grandpa & Grandma Janes:

[pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yu6jAij2A6g/Ufh4AbyKVaI/AAAAAAAALCw/eJZGkcRN9DY/s144-o/DSC_4152.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/103369115986217518663/ChicagoCabinSailing2013#5906602860149888418″ caption=”Everyone sitting down to a nice lunch at anchor” type=”image” alt=”DSC_4152.JPG” ] [pe2-image src=”http://lh6.ggpht.com/-P7H0tU_QmmE/UiumSsHwDaI/AAAAAAAALaA/W0Hig-KT0TE/s144-o/IMG_20130617_151110_661.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/103369115986217518663/ChicagoCabinSailing2013#5921008975120174498″ caption=”Gil and Donna enjoying the sail” type=”image” alt=”IMG_20130617_151110_661.jpg” ] [pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HKi51kNpsKs/UiumS1yhxHI/AAAAAAAALZ8/bXxXEuKexCY/s144-o/IMG_20130617_182955_540.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/103369115986217518663/ChicagoCabinSailing2013#5921008977715512434″ caption=”A shot of the harbor” type=”image” alt=”IMG_20130617_182955_540.jpg” ] [pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lNWsfYv-wSg/UiumTy0ZpYI/AAAAAAAALaU/P93R2Agnmho/s144-o/IMG_20130619_120404_885.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/103369115986217518663/ChicagoCabinSailing2013#5921008994097931650″ caption=”One of our stops for lunch at a beach for the girls” type=”image” alt=”IMG_20130619_120404_885.jpg” ] [pe2-image src=”http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jyEUkUJWl6I/UiumV-KkNKI/AAAAAAAALbc/7-7KfaBfZAk/s144-o/IMG_20130619_135518_994.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/103369115986217518663/ChicagoCabinSailing2013#5921009031503426722″ caption=”A panoramic view of the cockpit” type=”image” alt=”IMG_20130619_135518_994.jpg” ] [pe2-image src=”http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NyeEJqitewc/Ufh4quAa2aI/AAAAAAAALDw/-Y2LZ9-Jjs8/s144-o/DSC_4184.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/103369115986217518663/ChicagoCabinSailing2013#5906603586596034978″ caption=”The girls checking out the view over the side” type=”image” alt=”DSC_4184.JPG” ] [pe2-image src=”http://lh6.ggpht.com/-o2l2cgE_nc8/Ufh44nT7CSI/AAAAAAAALEI/ilGn0dzF0dQ/s144-o/DSC_4189.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/103369115986217518663/ChicagoCabinSailing2013#5906603825316956450″ caption=”Madelyn marching her way around the deck of the boat” type=”image” alt=”DSC_4189.JPG” ]

The girls had a great time playing on the deck of the boat, even though they were required to wear their life jackets, and their life jackets were tethered to the boat. They still managed to show off some dance moves, feed the ducks, and enjoy the scenery.

[pe2-image src=”http://lh5.ggpht.com/-I00Ag28U8IQ/Ufh5HC-oK8I/AAAAAAAALEg/d2jQ1F64JSU/s144-o/DSC_4215.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/103369115986217518663/ChicagoCabinSailing2013#5906604073262001090″ caption=”Madelyn & Mom reading books” type=”image” alt=”DSC_4215.JPG” ] [pe2-image src=”http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CGBlTwtQZrY/Ufh5LzWudDI/AAAAAAAALEo/9u3yaTkFV_I/s144-o/DSC_4232.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/103369115986217518663/ChicagoCabinSailing2013#5906604154967454770″ caption=”The girls feeding the ducks off the stern” type=”image” alt=”DSC_4232.JPG” ] [pe2-image src=”http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dcIFfNVG2fg/Ufh5bLQ-k2I/AAAAAAAALFA/U7mmQ4gMq1g/s144-o/DSC_4247.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/103369115986217518663/ChicagoCabinSailing2013#5906604419083834210″ caption=”Grace showing off her dance moves on the deck” type=”image” alt=”DSC_4247.JPG” ] [pe2-image src=”http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FbUljmeeqDg/Ufh5r2VTuAI/AAAAAAAALFg/wvHcjVoAz34/s144-o/DSC_4275.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/103369115986217518663/ChicagoCabinSailing2013#5906604705522628610″ caption=”Mom and the girls checking out the view from the bow” type=”image” alt=”DSC_4275.JPG” ] [pe2-image src=”http://lh3.ggpht.com/-E_o-o5peCZ4/Ufh51YMZ0kI/AAAAAAAALFw/vtiDRajVUEg/s144-o/DSC_4278.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/103369115986217518663/ChicagoCabinSailing2013#5906604869230907970″ caption=”Look at the waves!” type=”image” alt=”DSC_4278.JPG” ]

Finally we finished the trip with a stop at the cabin for a little bit of unwinding time. Everyone had a good time relaxing a bit, and the girls managed to catch a fish and some turtles.

[pe2-image src=”http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aF-8dYB10kY/Ufh6FLaO8aI/AAAAAAAALGI/d_OuKUjUF3M/s144-o/DSC_4293.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/103369115986217518663/ChicagoCabinSailing2013#5906605140677161378″ caption=”Everyone enjoying a relaxing dinner at the cabin” type=”image” alt=”DSC_4293.JPG” ] [pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Pk9DhbSGEkI/UfYCfvJLH9I/AAAAAAAALBg/GlzwKk_Khkg/s144-o/IMG_20130614_123012_973.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/103369115986217518663/ChicagoCabinSailing2013#5905910705597128658″ caption=”Grace with the fish she caught” type=”image” alt=”IMG_20130614_123012_973.JPG” ] [pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KhQ4fJMCweo/Ufh6Tl_FrqI/AAAAAAAALGY/_7IzitZfDUM/s144-o/IMG_20130621_191349_501.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/103369115986217518663/ChicagoCabinSailing2013#5906605388329234082″ caption=”Cheese!” type=”image” alt=”IMG_20130621_191349_501.JPG” ] [pe2-image src=”http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wWXXjgfhjTY/Uh6_AOI2jEI/AAAAAAAALWM/jtPBQ97q7iQ/s144-o/releasing_the_turtles.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/103369115986217518663/ChicagoCabinSailing2013#5917376970927541314″ caption=”Grace letting her turtles go” type=”video” alt=”releasing_the_turtles.wmv” ] [pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ciXsTc6xaIo/Uh6_BxfC2rI/AAAAAAAALWU/Qab9eUE4MTI/s144-o/IMG_20130622_102405_538.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/103369115986217518663/ChicagoCabinSailing2013#5917376997595732658″ caption=”Grandpa and the girls relax with Cinderella” type=”image” alt=”IMG_20130622_102405_538.JPG” ]

To view all of the photos, check out the albums on Google+