Out and About

This summer has been really incredible weather-wise and I feel like we've gotten to do a lot of fun things outside. With school just around the corner, we're trying to soak up a few more outings before fall returns.

A couple of weeks ago, we went to Brookfield Zoo with Christy and Kali. We took the tram and got off before we made it back to our original stop, so Miles ended up walking and I had to carry Paige for most of the morning. I'm happy to report that everyone left as happy as they came.

(When putting these posts together, I realized that Paige has worn this shirt many of the days when I took lots of pictures. She does have other clothes. At any rate, thanks to Will's mom for giving it to her when she was born!)

The two older kids have also been in a siblings class at My Gym this summer. It's been a fun activity for them to do together. Paige is usually either observing in her car seat or I carry her as she's not quite old enough to participate.

After the siblings class, Brooke does a "dance class" there (she's in the white skirt). The performance at the end of each class is kind of a train wreck, but it's an entertaining train wreck.

While Brooke's in that class, the two younger kids and I have an hour to kill. There's a pet store in the same strip mall...

And a Dunkin' Donuts.

We also went to Cantigny Park with Christy and Kali. How have I lived a mile away from this place and never been?!?

The kids liked climbing on the old tanks. We also walked through the museum, but quickly. I'd like to go back someday with more time to enjoy it.

Finally, Grammie Deb and Grandpa took the kids to Willowbrook last week when Paige and I flew to St. Louis for my dad's heart procedure (thankfully everything went smoothly). It looked and sounded like they had a good time!

We also continue to enjoy the local playgrounds. We're going to keep soaking up summer as long as we can!

Happy Birthday to Me

My 33rd birthday was last Sunday. I had signed up to teach Brooke's Sunday School class. After church, we got my Matt and Brooke's favorite sandwiches from Jersey Mike's and headed to the playground for some playtime. We then went home, I took a little nap and went out for a little solo shopping, then we headed to Matt's parents for birthday dinner.

It was a nice evening, so we headed out back. The kids grabbed Will and Jamie right away to play and they kindly obliged, as they always do.

Miles was excited to find a bug. Boys. (As usual, thanks to Jamie for many of these pics.)

Paige, chilling with Aunt Jane.

My candle-blowing helpers.

The kids got a little slap-happy after the cake and ice cream.

This might be one of my favorite pictures ever. So many funny things going on here.

I also love this picture. Except for Matt's kind of creepy smile. He was trying to hide his teeth that were blue from the icing.

Thanks to everyone for a great birthday. Last year was amazing and I can't wait to see what 33 has in store!

Saint Louis Summer

We spent several days in St. Louis a couple of weeks ago, wanting to get as much time in as possible with Lexi before she headed to Kindergarten (How is she old enough for that?!? I still can't talk about it. And I absolutely can't even think about this time next year for us. I digress.). Originally, it was going to just be a fun visit, then my dad had a heart procedure scheduled for while we were down there so I didn't make any plans, then on the day that we arrived, the procedure got moved to the following week. This left us kind of scrambling for things to do. Our first day there was rainy, and my grandparents (the kids' GREAT grandparents) graciously volunteered to watch the kids for a few hours while Krissi and I went shopping. I'm not sure who was most tired by the end of that morning.

The next day, Krissi found a deal for half-off Six Flags tickets, so we decided to take the kids. It was a ton of fun. Due to pregnancy, I had missed out on roller coasters on our last two big amusement park trips. It's almost worth being pregnant to not have to go on some of those things. But the girls loved them, and it's so fun to see them having a blast.

(As usual, thanks to Krissi for many of these pictures.)

(Notice Tim too intent on beating the children to even look at the camera.)

Biggest ice cream cones ever. And a perfect end to the day.

Of course, Paige was awesome the whole time. The day wasn't too hot so I think she was pretty comfortable.

Tim and the girls in the front row of the Tidal Wave.

The boys weren't quite big enough for many of the rides, but they had fun on all the kiddie rides.

This is the girls in the row ahead of me on the Screamin' Eagle. I don't remember that thing being so painful during my teen years. I'm sure it's just because the ride isn't as smooth in it's old age.

Thunder River. Miles' curls might have given him the extra inch he needed to get on this one.

The Log Flume was more fun than I remembered. When did I turn into an old person?!?

We also went and saw "How to Train Your Dragon 2." I was a little distracted keeping Miles and Paige quiet, but it was a little more violent than I expected. Brooke hasn't mentioned it since so it must not have scarred her too much.

Miles catching up on some emails at Tim and Krissi's.

Paige got in lots of cuddle time. Here she is with Uncle Joel.

And Grandma.

And the girls. We're so excited to be adding another little lady to this mix. As I told Krissi, if they keep wanting to match, this has the potential to get really expensive.

The boys also got some play time in with Papa. It was a great visit that was once again over much too quickly!

Brooke's (and Miles') New Job

Will and Jamie got engaged last weekend and we couldn't be happier that he'll be a part of our family!

As soon as Brooke heard, she said, "Yay! I'll get to be their flower girl!" (I think that she and Jamie had talked about it before, so this thought wasn't totally out of the blue.) I told her that she'd have to wait and see if they asked her. Later that day, I heard her talking to herself. She said, "I don't think they know any other little girls..." When I asked her what she was talking about, she said she didn't think Will and Aunt Jamie knew any other little girls to be their flower girl.

When we saw Jamie for the first time after the engagement, Brooke said to her, "Am I going to be your flower girl...or no?" But Jamie and Will wanted to both be there when they asked so Brooke had to wait a couple more days.

In the meantime, Brooke had heard me telling friends that Jamie was engaged and a couple days later said something along the lines of, "When you tell people Aunt Jamie's getting married, they think I have a pretty good chance, right?" So, last Saturday morning, Will and Jamie came by to give the kids their souvenirs from their trip to California. Then, they gave them Flower Girl and Ring Bearer books (Jamie told me that she'd had the Flower Girl book for Brooke for a couple of years. So sweet.) with special notes inside asking them to be in their wedding. Brooke must have been a little thrown off by Matt and my filming the whole thing. I don't even think she gave a real response before she ran behind my chair. She finally said yes, but it wasn't nearly the reaction we were hoping for.

Later that day, I asked her why she was acting the way she was about the whole thing and she said, "I'm just nervous...can we please stop talking about it?" Later that night, Matt came downstairs to find this.

I guess it's a good thing that she has a year to practice and adjust to the idea. It's so special that she (and Miles) get to be a part of this exciting day!