Summer Love 2015

These beauties. I just love them so much my heart bursts. It has been really awesome to be home with them this summer. I purposely didn't sign up for a single class or workshop because I really wanted to preserve the summer for family time. Even with limited work obligations, summer flew by. We had  crummy weather in June, but then we followed it up with two weeks of family beach vacations in July ... and here it is August already! In less than two weeks we are back to school and work but I sure am thankful for the time I had off.

Some things I will miss about summer vacation:

 

1. Sleeping in! (Is 7:00 am sleeping in? I'll take it!)

2. Not having to pack lunches.

3. Not having to prep dinner the night before or scramble to make something quickly when I get home.

4. Sitting by a lake or beach with my family.

5. Backyard swimming in Ya Ya's pool. (The girls are really starting to make progress thanks to their Goldfish lessons!)

6. Time to visit with grandparents, family, friends that we don't always get to see during the year,

7. Being (semi) caught up with laundry!

8. Staying up late and watching junk t.v.

9. Reading a book for fun.

10. Doing crafty projects, organizing things, and dreaming about future business ideas with my sis (more to come later!)

 

I (clearly) don't keep up with blogging on a regular basis, so I have about 1,000 pics I would like to post from this summer. However, I will settle for a montage of some of my favorite moments.

Happy August!

 

School's Out for Summer!

 

Time to play!

 

Time for treats!

 

Time to run!

 



Time for adventure!

 

 

 

 

 

Love this crazy crew.

 

 

and other March pictures....

Saint Patty's Day came and went without much fanfare. We wore green shirts... and that was about it. Poor Bel was home sick.................. so no special St Patrick's Day activity at school for her.

 

We went to see Cinderella... because let's face it. This winter is NEVER going to end and these squirrels needed to get out of the house. It was actually a very sweet (and enjoyable) movie.

"Have courage and be kind!" That is a message I can get behind :)

 

Mandy and Zack took their mission trip to Haiti. Can I even explain how PROUD I am of my little sis?! What an experience! I know that those two will be forever changed by their time together in Cap Hatien and Zack was even baptized. While they were gone, we got to spend the week with Miss Payton. The girls absolutely loved having their cousin spend the night every evening.

 

 

 

Lucy Bug loved hamming it up this month-- she can't wait to participate in her first dance recital.

 

 

 

We turned Lucy's crib into a "big girl" bed at last! No more cribs for this family!!

 

 

 

 

We were all waiting very patiently for some spring weather!

 

Birthday Bel

Happy Birthday to our SIX year old princess!
Isabel at age 6:

She goes to full day kindergarten, has learned to read, and loves to write- art and music are her favorite classes. Isabel likes to make projects, color, and create things. We read chapter books aloud now before bed (which mom appreciates!) and Bel is still a good sleeper- going to bed early but still waking up pretty early. As a six year old, Isabel has started to broaden her diet. She will finally even eat some meat-- chicken breast, and even hamburgers! However, packing lunch is tricky because she doesn't like lunch meat or any other sandwiches. We try to give her more responsibilities now-- and she can make her own lunch and fold some laundry. Bel is messy and doesn't like to keep her room clean. This girl is a STUFFED ANIMAL HOARDER. We could open a fully functioning zoo with all of the stuffed animals.... when she isn't looking I try to hide, toss, or donate some of them but I almost always get caught because she is too observant.
This year she was VERY sure she wanted to have an "Ooh La La Salon and Spa" birthday party (inspired by Fancy Nancy). So, we invited some friends for an afternoon of manis, facials and makeup. A fun time was had by all!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for helping out in the salon Uncle Katie!

 

What a fun party!

 

We love our big girl!

 

 

 



Is it Spring Yet?! January and February 2015

Hello 2015!

 

The winters seem to be getting longer and colder here in Illinois. January started with LOTS of snow and some cold days off of school. The days were short and I had zero motivation to do anything.

Bedtime at 5pm anyone?

 

Brrrrrr!!!!

 

Lucy's third birthday was a bright spot in a cold and gloomy January. This year she requested a "piggy party" so we had family over for BBQ pork, mac n cheese, and calico beans. The pink pig cake was the cutest.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our darling birthday girl. She is officially a "threenager" now. SASSY as they come.... and with a temper that comes on quickly. She definitely does not let her older sister push her around and likes to exert her power when given the chance. Lucy is a lovey dovey girl and is becoming so grown up right before our eyes. She loved being celebrated on her special day with her family.

 

With the "dolly" she picked out using her birthday gift card. Thanks Arkansas!

 

February was more of the same... cold and dark... but with lots of fun events and activities. Keeping busy made the winter fly by. 

 



The girls with Daddy -- all ready for the Daddy/ Daughter Dance!

so grown up

 

Lucy was finally old enough this year to attend with daddy!

 

We also celebrated Valentines Day together...

our little loves

 

With my 80s Valentine at the Decades Dance to benefit Journey Care

I can still rock the stone washed jeans and the big bangs! and Jason's hair? Not much to be said about that  :)

 

We had some fun in January and February but we are looking for Spring. Have you seen it Chicago?!