Singing In The Rain

It rained 12 drops today and the kids were so excited, they went running to the yard in their suits and umbrellas.  Wishful thinking----cute kids, though!

Alaric can READ!

Alaric's been reading for awhile but this summer, he has discovered READING!  Chapter books.  becoming one with the book.  Loving every second of it.  We are on our 3rd Magic TreeHouse Book and we are all hooked. 

Alaric made this awesome bookmark too!

Happy 8th Anniversary

I love this man more than anything in the world.  Tonight we celebrated 8 years together with a progressive dinner in Downtown Champaign....one place for a drink, another for apps, then another, then another for entree, then another for dessert- it was awesome!

Pinkalicious

After headaches and naps and some vitamin B, we joined the Goods again today for Lauren's birthday party- PINKALICIOUS party at I Power Gymnastics!!!

There was lots of running and jumping and flying off of things

And snuggling of cuties in pink, like Elle!

Another fun day with our great friends...Happy Birthday, Lauren!

Backyard Campout!!!!

Last night we went to Good's house for a backyard campout!  It was amazing.  We did it with their neighbors and our friends, the Kappes'

We went in the Kappes' pool

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Launches rockets

Hugs

Beer Bongs ( for the adults only-Amara is just an observer)

Fireworks

More beer bongs ( about 5 sessions in all)

Lots of talking by the fire with great friends!

and just celebrating!

The kids crashed around midnight, adults after 1.....

here was the scene at 6 Am the next morning.....running, screaming, and trampolining!!!

here's what the adults had to survive!

What a wonderful night with friends!

How I Became A Pirate!

We went to The Sullivan Theatre on the Square today and saw How I Became a Pirate!  I brought SIX kids by myself.  SIX!  We survives and maybe even thrived!

Alaric's two pirate friends came with their family too!

And after the show all the kids got autographs from the stars!  SO FUN!

YELLOW Belt!

Today Alaric became a YELLOW Belt!  He's worked so hard for it. 

We are so proud of him

Sensai even gave his Lego ninja a yellow belt!

waterbomb prep!

Lasted only 4 minutes at a non-shaded park in C-U this morning. That was supposed to be a treat after I had to drag them to another doctor's appointment today. These poor kids have been to probably a hundred doc appts this past year and I'm so grateful that they have learned to sit still and be quiet-sometimes for LONG periods of time. We headed to the Dollar Store instead and bought water bombs. Just killed 40 minutes filling them up at the sink and letting the kids spray each other in the process. While I changed Mara out of her wet clothes, she said "Momma, I love you because you let me get you wet with water balloons AND sit on the counters" Hate these 100 degree days but love they we are trying to make the most of it. Can't wait til Daddy gets home! ( he he)

LEGOS

Its 103 degrees without the heat index today and we are stuck inside like its winter!  Today we sorted legos!  Its like a whole new world!

Lake House

We decided to go to our neighbor's lake house yesterday last minute and we LOVED every single second of it!  Our kids love being on a boat!

and Party Cove!!!

And the Miller's cove

Sunsets

Time with our family

and fireworks!!!!

yes, those are OUR fireworks!

Empty boxes, beer....

and two running dads!

and this morning we hung out in the Miller Cove before leaving.  Sad to go but so grateful for our time with our wonderful neighbors!

4th of July Craft!

My kiddos were at Nana and Grandpa's today but i still had the twins and we crafted!  Popsicle door hangers!  They turned out really cute.

Zac & Margee's Wedding in St. Louis

One of my best friends from childhood married the woman of his dreams yesterday at the Bascillica in St. Louis.  The facility was incredible!

 Zac was so cute...he started crying as soon as the bridesmaids began their journey down the aisle!  The wedding was gorgeous and the couple was so beautiful together!

 We had 5 hours to kill between the wedding and reception so we went with our friends, The Johnsons and Cynthia's brother and sister-in-law for lunch and drinks!

 and shots ( because who doesn't need a shot at 1PM on a Saturday?)

 We cleaned up well and were excited about our evening together.

 Not only is Zac my childhood friend but he's also Brian's pledge son in their fraternity, Beta Theta Pi.  Brian was able to connect with some of his fraternity brothers too, including one of his favorites, Jack.  We discovered Jack lives only 20 minutes away in Decatur ( we can't wait to connect with Jack again soon).

 I LOVE weddings with Brian!

 Zac and Margee were adorable all night!

 Love the Smiths!!!!

 We also loved every second we got to spend with our dear friends, Ryan and Cynthia- they made the night and the entire weekend extra fun!

 I loved watched Zac dance and the way he attended to Margee and pulled her into the mix( literally pulled)!

 Zac will always be so special in our lives as he really was the connection made the night Brian and I met and fell in love.  When he told me he was in Beta, I told him I only knew one Beta and it was my best friend from childhood, Zac Smith.  Brian responded that Zac was his pledge son.  I called Zac that night to try and reconnect the two.  I promised Brian that night that I would get him in contact with Zac again soon.  Who knew Zac would be the one to help bring us together, without even being there.  Our small world story.  Part of the reason I trusted Bri from that very first moment.  We love telling our love story and love bringing Zac into it every single time.  We told the story lots this weekend and it was so fun!  Thanks Zac!

 After the wedding we went out for drinks with the Johnsons and Gonzolez'- what a fun night!