Thursday Photo Challenge: Growing

This photograph was taken at Long Grove, Illinois.  It is a small charming shopping area in the northwest suburbs of Chicago.  Unfortunately, I don't think it will be around much longer as more and more of the stores are closing.  

We stopped to have lunch and these ducklings were climbing around the rocks in a stream waiting for their mama to round up the rest of their siblings who were traveling down the small waterfall.  

Sunday Morning Sunrise

Things have been very stressful at work for some months (hence the limited posts).  Yesterday I took the leap and gave my two week notice.  As expected, I felt so relieved and woke this Sunday with a great deal of peace.  I took this photograph while on a walk though the neighborhood.  I loved the sunlight coming through the trees.  

Hauglin Family Reunion 2012

Every two years, my maternal grandmother's family gets together for a reunion.  My grandmother is the oldest of five siblings.  Both of her brothers have passed away so it is just the three girls.

Grandma, Great Aunt J & Great Aunt D, 2012

This year we met in Wisconsin Dells.  It was the first time we were in a more "touristy" area and while there was plenty to do, it distracted everyone and we didn't really have time to visit. Everyone was on different schedules.

In addition to the siblings photograph, we take pictures of each family and one picture of everyone.  Here is my immediate family.

From left to right in the back, my husband (in gray t-shirt), my brother (in light yellow t-shirt holding my nephew), my dad in the dark yellow t-shirt.  In the next row, me (pink t-shirt), my sister-in-law (red t-shirt), my mom (striped shirt), my sister (beige shirt).  In the front, my niece (blue shirt), nephew (green t-shirt), grandma, and niece (beige t-shirt).  

Here is everyone (except my cousin and nephew who left the night before).  

The tree became a metaphor for our family as it was huge and had a number of different branches.  The tree stood in the middle of cabins and provided not only shade but a wonderful meeting place.  

Here are some more pics of our time together.