Grove Fest

Last weekend we went out to Downer's Grove to hang with our friends Jason, Nicole and Olivia during "Grove Fest".  It's like any typical festival with rides, fair-food and a beer tent.  The GREAT thing about this fest though, is that you could actually walk without stopping every 2 feet, no beer was spilled on you and you didn't get a death stare for pushing a stroller.

My how times have changed....I've been to what seems like 100's of fest's in my time in the city and they were always a blast.  Until last year.  Luke was just a wee-one and we decided we'd hit the Taste of Randolph with Jason and Nicole and Olivia (who was also a wee-one back then).  I will summarize here:  it was awful.  Hot, packed, and it's hard to drink a beer while pushing a stroller.  We swore we'd never go to another fest again like that.

Here's Olivia and Luke last year at the Taste of Randolph (same weekend as this year's Grove Fest):

I have to say this year's trip out to the suburban fest was much better.  There was a little kiddie-ride area where the kids had fun on the rides.  Here's Bubby and Dad on the Dumbo ride - Luke was VERY apprehensive.  I don't think he cracked a smile the whole time!

And here's the Mama's and the kids on the carousel.

Luke and Olivia had fun playing together (or alongside each other).  Luke would follow her around and mimic what she was doing.  I love watching these two grow up together!

(PS, yes, Luke looks like a Smurf.  He loves those Crocs and we couldn't bear to make him take them off and put on different shoes!)

It was a great time - I didn't miss The Taste of Randolph one little bit!  I think if we ever hit that one again it'll be a night out with a babysitter (sorry Bubs).