The Chicago Botanic Gardens

Since Derrick didn't have school on Labor Day, we decided to try something new. We live 20 minutes from the Chicago Botanic Gardens, so we tried them out. We have heard many wonderful things about how beautiful and large these gardens are, and everything we heard was true.

Daphne and Dayton looking at ducks and a fountain

A pretty lily pad flower

This flower looked like a shower head or hose spout

The view from Spider Island
Derrick told the kids that Spider Island might have treasure
(which of course it did NOT),
so they were disappointed when they didn't find any

The kids loved walking along the bridges and garden pathsAdorable siblings: Daphne and Dayton

Playing in a murky fountainWe convinced Daphne not to take the coins from the fountain;
She has an obsession with money and takes the coins from my purse

Daphne has a love for fountains, so she admired them all

Dayton wasn't very smiley for the camera,
so I bribed him with snacks

This picture is for my Dad- a curry fanatic

Some of the pretty flowers

We attempted a few family pictures,
though none were successful or Christmas card-worthy

Derrick and Michelle

Sister and Brother

We saw maybe 1/8 of the gardens in a few hours, so we're hoping to go back once more before the weather turns too chilly. The kids sure loved running around.