Step Into Dental Excellence
Meet Dr. Lisa Baines

The State Fair – I am an Illinois State Fair junkie. I grew up down the road from the fair and we would go almost every day when I was a kid. We never rode the rides and barely spent a dollar once we got through the main entrance but it was a blast. I continue to do that with my kids. It’s not really my husband’s cup of tea so usually one of the Grandmas or Grandpa attends with us. We visit all the animals in the barns and meet some great people. When you spend time with the animal owners, you sometimes get invited on cool adventures, like walking a goat, corralling a hog, or sampling some of the homemade treats they brought with them to snack on during fair week. From the dog shows, hobbies art and crafts displays, fire department education, fishing in conservation, to milking the cow, we thoroughly enjoy the state fair and spend very long days there. I jokingly say that it’s not a successful trip to the fair unless a child conks out in a stroller.

We have a great relationship with our neighbors. They are a hard-working couple who loves (tolerates) our kids as much as we do! We often take turns making dinner for each other, as we all enjoy cooking, grilling, and experimenting with recipes.  When doing yard projects, they gladly let the kids join in to move dirt, dig a hole, or other things.  They are also known for their endless supply of stories. When the weather is right, we will sit by the fire in the evening for nights in a row. In this picture, the fire was so hot that we escaped the heat by laying down to toast our marshmallows.

We love outdoor activities, hunting, fishing, playing in the creek, riding bikes, and doing projects. One of those outdoor activities is having a garden. We try growing different items every year, but asparagus, tomatoes, and cucumbers are a staple. Lettuce varieties are fun because they grow so quickly and we can measure them with a ruler and track them within weeks. We are always amazed by how quickly asparagus grows. It can grow 3 inches or more overnight it seems. The kids love the asparagus and cucumbers, but I still can’t get them to like tomatoes.

I like llamas so I am imparting that love to my daughter. In the past, we could see llamas at the state fair, but recently we keep our eyes open for “Llamas Days” at different farms. They are so fluffy, have super visible teeth and I just think they are interesting and unique.

We have a bearded dragon! I am a cat lover but my sinuses and allergies don’t agree so when my 8-year old asked for a reptile I was ok with it! Little did we know that bearded dragons are kind of lazy and have sluggish metabolisms.  Warm baths are incorporated in its care to keep it “regulated.”

I’ve always loved art and being creative. When my kids ask me to paint their faces on a random Wednesday, I usually agree.  Correct, this was not Halloween. Just a normal Wednesday filled with fun and laughter!

My husband Steve is co-owner / operator of a roofing company, B & H Roofing. He has a biology medical science degree but enjoys being outdoors and found his way to roofing during his college summer job. One day our kids will convince him to put Christmas lights on our house. He refuses to get on a roof and do that in his off time!

Our kids love fishing. My oldest son would love to be a fisherman that “Gets paid” when he is older.