Memorial Day Weekend 2015

We kicked off the summer season with Memorial Day weekend at Lake Bluff. The weather was beautiful and the cottage was full of family. We spent lots of time with Grammy, G-Diddy, Uncle Brad, Aunt Alex, Uncle Tommy, Nana and Uncle John.

The sun was shining for an afternoon on the dock and a chilly, but beautiful boat ride!

Abby is all about the speed and always wants G-Diddy to go faster and faster. She likes the waves. Ella likes the boat, but prefers begs for slower, smoother rides. After a long winter, it was great being back on the water.

G-Diddy's co-captain

hanging on the dock with Grammy

After the kiddos fell asleep, a bunch of us gathered for a bonfire and s'mores.

 On Day 2, the women had lunch and celebrated at a bridal shower for Amy. The little girls took a boat ride to lunch with the guys and had a blast. Two little girls with all of the attention they could get from their Daddy, G-Diddy and two uncles.

Abby and Ella played with Lauren and Jack any chance they got. It was fun to see Ella and Jack play together even more this year because they were that much older. How exciting to think Julie and I could be having baby #3 within weeks of each other.

 

After long days filled with nonstop activity, winding down for bedtime at the Bluff can be a challenge.  It takes a while to help the girls stop moving and let their minds settle down, but once they do they crash and they crash hard!

Everyone pulled up a chair to watch Uncle Brad's Crossfit workout. It was pretty intense and impressive. Abby even joined him for some push ups!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WMfjy5TmFk

Before heading home on our last afternoon, the girls went fishing. Joe and Mary took all the kids down to the dock to catch some fish, while I helped Grammy pack up the cottage. Joe went down to supervise, but Mary had to take care of all the worms and slimy fish!

love this one.

Of course a visit would not be complete without some Lite Brite.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnSCEBYBlao

hanging out with Jax

On our way home from the Bluff, we couldn't wait to spend time with some of our favorites and meet their newest addition, sweet Hannah. The kids ran around and played together while we visited with Rob and Kelly. Then, we each got our turn to love this little peanut for a bit.

Do you think these girls are ready to meet their little sister or what?

Last Days of Pre-K

When your big sister gets to go on her very first class field trip with Daddy, it seems only right to have an extra special morning with Mommy. Ella and I baked muffins together. She loved not having to share the jobs with her sister and having lots of one on one time with me.

While we were baking, Abby was on her way to the farm with her class. Joe and I decided it would be fun for him to go this time. Abby was really excited to have her daddy along on the trip.

The kids learned about the animals on the farm and got to interact with them a bit. I was really proud of Abby for getting right in their with those chickens.

Before Abby left for her field trip, all she could talk about was how excited she was. 
When Abby got home, the conversation she had with Ella went like this...
Ella: I'm a big girl! Why didn't I get to go to the farm? I wish I could go too. :(
Abby: You didn't miss anything, Ella. Seriously...there was poop EVERYWHERE! You wouldn't have wanted to be there.
Me: Did you not like the farm?
Abby: Let's just say it wasn't what I thought it would be.

Then, there was the preschool dance on Friday night. The kids had a ball running around and dancing together. Ella fit right in with all of Abby's friends and even chatted a bit with some of the other younger siblings while sneaking sour gummy worms from the snack table.

Carter and Abby

Snapshots

Joe and I celebrated eight years of marriage in May! It's amazing how eight years can feel like yesterday and forever at the same time.

Thankfully it's not every night that my kids make their way to our bedroom, but on the nights they do and I wake up to this sight, I can't help but smile knowing they won't be little and need me like this forever.

What happens when Uncle Cory is here and I leave him to babysit for twenty minutes while I run to the store? I left them all on the couch and started a movie. I came home to the girls jumping on Uncle Cory like monkeys and shrieking with joy. When I walked in the door, he shrugged and smiled, "I promise I only gave them goldfish!" They had a blast.

Sometimes life is hard and an afternoon nap on Mommy and Daddy's bed with your best friend is what you need.

We need to work on this before I have a real newborn sleeping on my chest again. #myfurbaby

Ella was channeling Paris with her sequined beret and french t-shirt.

Abby has been polishing up her Uno skills in preparation for our after dinner card tournaments in Florida. Look at her Uno face. She means business and she is good!

Ella is very serious about making sure our flowers stay watered. It is adorable to see her take responsibility for them.

Best day ever = tent building in Mommy and Daddy's room with a picnic lunch, deconstructed s'mores and a movie

I could watch her play in her own little world forever...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1sxlIbiMVM