Celebrating the 4th Across the Border!

Family tradition is to celebrate July 4th in Canada, at Aunt Fran's cottage. I know, kind of strange, but that's the way we roll over here. It is so relaxing there and our 4th was no exception. I wanted nothing more than to put my feet up in a chair and finish my book and Kurt wanted to nap in the hammock. Done! Plus Jimmy napped for like 3 hours in a chair right in front of the water. And Julia got undivided Uncle Jeff attention...which she loved. It really was a perfect day. I forgot to mention all of the yummy food...your regular 4th of July treats, plus a lasagna. When we went to pick up Great Grandma, Julia asked her why she always makes lasagna (really, whenever she goes anywhere, she brings a lasagna). She said it's the only thing she knows how to make. Not true, but it was funny. I wonder how many lasagnas Great Grandma has made over the years...too many to count i am sure.

Julia & Uncle Jeff Kayaking to Basketball Practice

Aunt Michelle & Julia kayaking for real or as Julia would say "In real life."


Kurt catching some of Jimmy's heat

Looking Grown Up...ready for Little League.

Julia, Jimmy, Grandma & Aunt Fran waiting for the sun to set

What a view...

Fireworks on the Green

On the 3rd, we went with our friends Doug & Kelly to watch the fireworks at their golf club. They had music, a bouncer for the kids, food and drinks and you could lay your blankets on one section of the golf course to watch the show. It was a great show, the kids had fun. Most importantly, we made the stop at Michael's to get the glow in the dark bracelets, which were a hit. Although every time the kids see fireworks, they think they need these bracelets....it could be a problem if I don't stock up :-)

Julia, Paige & Jimmy

Chicago!

On a whim 2 weeks ago, we decided to go to Chicago for the weekend. One of Kurt's friends has an apartment right downtown (3 blocks from Navy Pier) and offered it up to us to use since he was going to be home over the weekend, so why not? To top it off, he also got a sweet Navigator to drive down there (thank you, Mitch). The kids loved the DVD player and the fact that it was so big. We even threw Kurt's mom in to the mix as well. Why not?



On the way down we asked the kids if they wanted to go see fish or dinosaurs, they picked fish, so we visited Shedd Aquarium. They had fun.

We also hit Michigan Avenue for a little window shopping. We actually didn't really shop at all (unless you count a bathing suit for Julia that was on sale). We ate at The Cheesecake Factory, which is probably one of my favorite restaurants, although Kurt really doesn't like the food, only the cheesecake...he appeased me and we ate there. Most importantly, we hit the American Girl Store. Julia will be getting a doll for her birthday and she needed to check out all of the dolls to pick which one she wanted. For a while, she told me she just wanted one in a pink dress, but she quickly realized that there were lots of clothes they could wear. She was quite methodical about picking which doll she would be getting. She wanted one with blonde hair and then decided that it needed to be long. Then it was down to 2 different girls and she picked the one with brown eyes, because "I have brown eyes too" - funny how she didn't really get into the fact that the doll's name is "Julie." It was a fun time for her to see all of that. We didn't buy anything there and she was very good about just "looking." Jimmy on the other hand told Kurt after a few minutes in there "Let's get out of here!" - too many girls, no boy stuff and he was strapped into his stroller.

No trip would be complete without a visit to Navy Pier...

Julia in a fun house mirror...long neck, short body. What a day!


On the Ferris Wheel...

All in all, it was a fun weekend, Kurt's highlight was the rooftop pool at the apartment. Let's just say that there was alot to see there :-). The kids are pretty good travelers and make these kind of trips more fun. Having mom along for the trip is fun too, she helps keep the kids occupied and I know that she enjoys spending time with us too. We are a lucky family!

Summer Shots

The family having a Wii Boxing match

Julia giving Daddy his Father's Day Notepad

Little Ricky Bobby...Shake & Bake!

Some Summer Shots

Just a few more shots from summer...

Julia...soccer star!
and everyone gets a medal!

Jimmy driving the boat with Uncle Doug

Julia & Paige BFFs...being silly!

Time Away...

Last weekend, I took off. Really. I just left. Okay, that's a little dramatic (me?dramatic?never!). It was a planned weekend away with the girls, which was very much needed and well deserved. I knew that I'd come back rejuvenated and happy - but I didn't realize just how much I needed it. My life is pretty easy as a stay at home mom. I set my own hours pretty much, I do what I want, I waste time on facebook and the Internet after the kids are in bed, I read alot of books. Life is good. To top it off, I have a fabulous husband who is a very involved father and very helpful around the house. Plus he's easy on the eyes. I have 2 pretty great kids who get by alot on their good looks. But still, I need to have time to be me...alone.

Cas, my friend from forever, coordinated this whole weekend at a hotel to scrapbook & shop, but mostly to be together with a bunch of friends from high school/college. Cas and I have been friends since 1st grade, when we both were in love with Bobby W. and planned to own a RV and travel the US once we graduated. We were cheerleaders together starting in 7th grade all the way up to our senior year. And as if we couldn't get enough of each other, we became roommates in college. I think Cas is the person that I can be the silliest with, since she has known me the longest and knows I am just a goofball. Her older sister, Nikki, and I became friends in high school when we were on the same cheer team. Fun times were had with those girls. And this weekend was no exception. In addition to Cas & Nik and their mom & aunt, a few other friends from high school joined us, as well as a few other friends and it was a blast. We just were silly and had fun being creative. I finished 25 pages in Julia's scrapbook. Unfortunately, i was working on 2006-2007...so she is still 2 years behind. But that's cool. I just had a great time. I came home feeling great, because I had a chance to recharge and not be a mom/wife for a few days. Everyone should do that once in a while. I can't wait until we do it again in the fall!

Julia's last day of Preschool

I didn't think that I'd get emotional about Julia's last day of preschool. She's not really going to kindergarten next year, young 5s, which in all reality is quite similar to kindergarten - but nonetheless, I still feel like i have my little girl. But as we were getting ready to go to the park to celebrate her "last day" - it kind of hit me that my little girl is growing up so crazy fast. It's like I blinked and she became this little girl who is so bright and inquisitive. So sweet, yet so sour sometimes. So helpful. So wanting to be 5. It just flew by....it was just like yesterday when we moved here and I was pregnant. Everyone says it flies by. I knew there had to be some truth to it, but you don't think it will happen to you. I am really going to make an effort to enjoy this summer and see it through the eyes of a 2 and 4 year old. I am so blessed to be their mom and to stay home with them.

Julia mastering the monkey bars....

Julia & her BFF, Kylie
The graduating Class

Julia with her bubble wand