Chi Town

Our first real family vacation! We decided that it would be a good idea to drag our three young kids all over Chicago while staying in one hotel room for two nights. Not sure why we thought this was a good idea, but off we went. We arrived Sunday morning and within about 20 minutes, Matt and I were looking at each other like...what...have...we...done. The kids were fighting and screaming and making a scene, you know nothing out of the ordinary. After dragging all of junk from the car to the hotel, we were already rethinking our great idea. But onward we pushed. We did do lots of fun things and probably crammed too much stuff into one trip, but hopefully we created some memories along the way. We did the Lego Store, American Girl store, Shedd Aquarium, Navy Pier, Hancock Observatory, Museum of Science and Industry, and lots of eating out. We barely survived, but we did. It was an experience we will never forget, and we probably will wait a few more years til we do this again. Yikes. At least we got lots of pictures...

Gino's East

Necessary for Survival

American Girl Store. Bitty Baby...Happy Birthday Mols

Matt and Charley

Can you feel the love (yeah right)

Up in the Sky

On the Navy Pier Ferris Wheel

Checking out the view...there is plexiglass there

Carousel on Navy Pier

Waiting for a ride

Molly's first ride ever

Shedd Aquarium

Shedd

Getting ready for the water show

Submarine Play

Hancock Observatory

View from the top of the Hancock

Molly and I

Daddy and Grant

Visiting where Matt proposed to me 11 years ago!

Rainforest Cafe

Are we having fun yet?

Three kiddos

Making the hot air balloon rise

Museum of Science and Industry

Sitting Poolside

The end of summer is quickly approaching, so we are doing our best to enjoy the pool while we can. Now that swimming lessons are over, we aren't there as much as I'd like to be, because the kids always enjoy their time at the pool. Grant has really progressed...finally...with swimming, and seems to be getting the hang of it. Hopefully by next summer he won't forget all that he has learned. Molly loves to play in the baby pool and Charley has no fear and would jump right in if I let her. Crazy girl...

Sunshine and Summertime

We have had an amazing summer. The weather has been near perfect. Bright sunshine and warm temps. I dare say we haven't had a summer like this in a long time. Perfect for having friends up to my parents place on the lake. The unfortunate part about this summer is that it also ate up our beach at the lake. We've been sitting in the dune grass for the last two weeks because the water has dug out a hole right in front of my parents place and has created about a seven foot cliff, which we cannot even climb. Luckily, before that happened, my amazing and beautiful friend Carrie and I enjoyed a beautiful day on the beach...the actual beach...however small it may have been. So nice to be able to chat and enjoy a tottie in the sun while the kids played in the water. Every year that we do this, we remember how much work it actually is to take care of six kids when there are only two of us. But we can only hope that it will get easier every year. So nice to relax and catch up when the kiddos are in bed. We could talk all night. Love ya so much Care! Thanks for coming up!

Our beautiful day and our dwindling beach...a couple years ago we could fit a volleyball court and half there. Now the water comes all the way up to the grass. :(

This is how we do it.

Lovin' the beach!

Best buds (Taylor asked him to marry her...teehee...love it!)

Zach

Why we should use swim diapers

Care and Lauren

Happy 3rd Birthday Molly

I'm three!

Molly with Great Grandma Jackson. They share the same birthday. Happy 80th!

I blew them all out mom!

Not a princess party without a crown

Who needs friends when you have cousins!

The lovely cake...Cinderella even lights up...classsy

Molly is three! And boy is she three... She is a fiesty little one these days, full of spunk (and attitude)! We had a fabulous princess party to celebrate her growing up! She loves to talk and definitely has become more outgoing over these past three years. She seems to be able to try new things with a little coaxing, but will also put her foot down...or both feet down...stomping and screaming...if there is something she doesn't like. We are working on using our big girl voice and not that whiney voice. She starts preschool in the Fall, so we're looking forward to some interaction with other kids her age. She still sports bouncy curls and bright smiling eyes. She loves to ride her bike, color and wear her princess dress. She really can brighten your day and gives great big hugs! Love you so much Molly girl. Happy Birthday!!

Water Slide Playdate

The Water Slide

Meg

Charley

Watching from a safe distance...

Hudson

Grant, Joel and Clayton

From left to right: Charley, Molly, Kate, Ella, Clara, Emily, Natalie, Joel, Grant, Rowan, Clayton

(Not pictured: Megan and Hudson)

Thanks to Sarah for bringing the slide! The kids had a great time and are growing up so fast!! So great to see everyone!