Family Visits

A little while back, we had gone for quite awhile between seeing our St. Louis/Mattoon family, so we made a couple of quick weekend trips. The first was to Mattoon.

Tim and Krissi and the kids met us at Blake and Amy's and fun, chaotic, craziness ensued.

There was lots of playing outside, some dress-up, a movie, and a tea party.

And of course not enough sleep.

The following weekend, we met up with my parents in Bloomington, IL, after church on Sunday.

It was a pretty warm day. We started at McDonald's (the kids know this is a given with my parents), then found a great park/splash pad.

Next was a visit to DQ.

And finally a little Dollar Tree shopping spree. This ref was outside next to the dollar store and I had the kids pose with it, given my dad's affinity for anyone officiating an organized sport.

"Beating him up."

It was great to see everyone. We miss you all!

Paigey

This little goofball has become quite the ham lately. And between Miles and Brooke being in school or being busy playing with friends, she and I have had quite a bit of one-on-one time. And I'm not complaining.

 

 Aunt Jamie got these great shots. There were more, but I'll spare you.

 

Bubbles!

Her expression and finger point in this picture is her classic "telling us something" stance.

Trouble.

Stopping to smell the roses...and give a skeptical look.

Always accessorized.

Loving her daddy.

Yogurt and cantaloupe, two of her favs.

She's got a whole lot of personality in that little body. Thanks for brightening our lives, Paigey!

Early May Randoms

We had a few nice weekends early in May and on one of them we went to Rocketship Park, one of Miles' favorites.

Fun at the playground with friends.

The kids have been outside with the neighbors anytime it's nice enough out. A favorite hobby - catching toads by the pond behind our house. 

Smoothie night! No bananas in Paige's, please.

Brooke's egg drop at school was successful! She used a small tupperware container filled with cotton balls (her idea). I wasn't sure how it'd go, but the egg survived...only to be fried the next morning.

Miles having fun hooping it up at Sky Zone for Tye's birthday party.

One of our favorite spring dinners - the patio at Medinah.

Matt obviously enjoys a selfie a little more than me.

Happy almost summer (again...in July :-/)!

Mother's Day

Yes, I'm posting about Mother's Day the day after the fourth of July, but I have to get back on the horse sometime, right?

I was able to go to special Mother's Day performances at both Miles' and Brooke's schools. Miles and I had a cupcake and "tea" (water) together, then the kids sang a few songs for us and gave us some artwork they'd made for us.

 

Sometimes he is just too cute.

For Brooke's performance, we had a cookie and lemonade. I also got a couple of gifts from her, including a cute book about my favorite things. Then the kids did a dancing performance for us. I took so many videos that day that this is the only photo that I have, much to Brooke's chagrin ("Mooom, I'm holding hands with Kyyyle in that picture!").

For Mother's Day itself, Matt had jokingly suggested us going to the White Sox game. The weather was beautiful and I wasn't feeling like I needed time to myself (golf season hadn't really started yet...), so we headed down to US Cellular right after church.

 

Sunday is kids' day there, so the kids ate free. They also had a bunch of kids' activities set up throughout the park. 

 

Paige liked the Southpaw statue a lot better than the actual mascot.

Miles is turning into such a little boy. This is one of his favorite poses lately.

We were on the club level, so we had access to air conditioning when it got hot.

 

The kids were able to run the bases after the game, too.

It was a really fun day and the kids were all wiped out as we headed back to Wheaton.

Once we got back to Wheaton, we went straight to Matt's parents to celebrate with his family. 

The kids were a little extra goofy, but they rallied.

Brooke and Bri, who is kind of her mini-me.

Brooke was able to read all of Grammie Deb's cards. Matt and I were even impressed with how well she did.

And no family event would be complete without making Aunt Jamie or Uncle Will roughhouse with them a little.

It was a great day. I'm so thankful to my little family that made me a mother!