Love

Parenting is also really, really fun! These little girls are my pride and joy and I love them and their amazing daddy more than words can ever express. 

July 4, 2014

This year we got to celebrate July 4th Chicago style. Which really means, we weren't at the beach in Destin this year, but we still had a wonderful time! Chris' parents, Ed and Cheryl, flew up on the evening of July 2 and spend 5 nights with us. Thursday was just a day to hang out and let the girls enjoy time with their grandparents while Chris was at work.

Thankfully, Chris was off this year on July 4th (his boss so graciously covered the hospital so that Chris didn't have to!) and we got to enjoy the day as a family. That morning our neighborhood had a parade. We loaded the girls into their red wagon and walked to the main street in our subdivision to enjoy the parade.

The girls had a blast catching the candy and waving to all of the parade participants.... especially our neighbors, Lucy, Henry and Charlie!

After the parade we decided to head into downtown Naperville for "Ribfest" and had a blast. We listened to live bands, ate yummy pulled pork and ribs, and Avery and Kinsley even got to enjoy some carnival rides for the first time. They got a little panicked on some of the rides- even Kinsley, which surprised me since she is always so fearless! It was HOT HOT HOT and my back may have gotten FRIED, but we still had fun. The highlight for Avery was getting to ride the yellow school bus to and from our car to the event.

 We made it home for a late nap for the girls then grilled out for dinner. Chris planned and cooked our entire menu and it was delicious. Steak, baked potatoes, a summer salad with corn, avocado, tomatoes, red onion and a cilantro dressing, and cauliflower sticks. Avery called his bluff on the cauliflower sticks almost immediately.... "Daddy, this is not bread" but we eventually got her to eat one. :) That night we went to an open field and watched the fireworks. It was a long, exhausting, and yet really fun day. I love nothing more than spending the day with my husband and our girls and getting to see the excitement on their faces when they experience something new for the first time.

On Saturday the 5th, Ed and Cheryl babysat while Chris and I went to a friends house for a shrimp boil. We then went to Downers Grove to an Irish pub called Balydoyles for a late dinner. It was so fun getting to spend adult time with our friends for a day. Too bad I didn't take any pictures to document that we actually did this! ha!

Sunday was another great day that started with church and then lunch in downtown Naperville. During the girls' nap, Chris and I went for a long walk through the McDowell forest preserves just up the street from our house. I enjoyed just being able to walk and talk with him without any distractions. Sunday night included Giordianos stuffed pizza (of course!) and later, a rented movie with Chris' parents.

We had such a wonderful holiday weekend and are so thankful that we have family that can so easily come up for a visit. Our time with Ed and Cheryl is always so nice and always too short... as it is with all our family and friends.

I hope your holiday weekend was wonderful, too!

Father's Day 2012

We had a wonderful Father's Day weekend as a family and it went by too fast, as usual! Friday night Chris and I went on our last date night before baby K arrives. My parents were so sweet to offer to keep Avery for us and we enjoyed dinner at the French Quarter Grill in Val-p. Saturday morning Chris and I took Avery to the children's park and Dairy Queen. While she napped, Chris and I watched a movie and then we all went to the Saturday night church service. Sunday, Father's Day, I made a yummy french toast casserole (thank you, pinterest!!) for breakfast and we gave Chris his cards and gift from Avery. Later that morning we met some friends from MCG at the beach. For dinner we met my parents at a Japenese restaurant and then went to get ice cream with our dear friends, the Haynie's. It was such a great weekend getting to spend so much time together, just the three of us. And, for some Father's Day fun, Chris and Avery had a blast playing in the box that our diapers.com order came in! 

My two loves!

Easter 2012

We had a wonderful Easter this year. We started our morning at Church and heard a great message from our senior pastor. My parents and in-laws joined us as well! After church we came back to our house and took a few family pictures before lunch. Chris and I really enjoy hosting for the holidays... Christmas was the first time we hosted a big family event and this Easter we did the same. After lunch, Avery opened her Easter basket and then had a little Easter Egg Hunt. I wasn't too sure how she would do, but she surprised me and knew exactly what to do and LOVED it!!! The Ireland's left right after the egg hunt and then Avery opened her basket from my parents. They left a few minutes later so that Avery could take a nap. Chris and I enjoyed the rest of the afternoon watching the Masters. It was nice to have a relaxing and quiet afternoon after having a house full of family from Wednesday to Sunday. (that post will come soon!!) 

Ready for church

Avery and Grandmommy

I love my family!

Avery and her grandparents!!

Bailey had to help, too!

Crawling under the chair to get the last egg!

she got it!

Aunt Amanda and Brock got to watch Avery open her basket and hunt for eggs via FaceTime

Avery's Easter goodies from Mimi and Granddaddy

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter, too and I pray we all remember what Jesus did for us and why we celebrate Easter. It sure is easy to get wrapped up in all of the candy!