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!

Karate Camp- The Animals of Karate

Alaric had Karate Camp all week.  We were hesitant about sending him.  9 Hours of camp all week and really expensive ( for us).  But Alaric really wanted to do it and assured us he would work his hardest and stay focused and give it his all.  AND HE DID!

We sent him to the morning session and it only had 8 students ( the PM group had more than 30).  He was able to get TONS of individual attention and got to work with Sensai alot!  it was also rediculously hot and I cant imagine having 30 kids in a room with no AC.

he learned alot and had a blast.  Even got to go to a "sleepover" Friday night at the Karate place.  He stayed until 10:30!  What a great week it was!

New Summer Do!

Before

 After

 Love this cute boy...no matter his hair ( but the Do is fun!)

Staycation 2012

We are saving money for Disney in 2013 so instead of going away on a vacation, we decided to have a staycation.  Instead of our home, we chose the home of my best friend, Jenny...who has an amazing pool in her back yard.  We did something everyday but our favorite place to be was simply poolside, relaxing with our family!

Day #1...we arrived after dinner and headed straight to the pool.  Amara jumped off the diving board for the first time!

 I was double fisting it within minutes

 love this family vacation

 Day #2...poolside early! First time off the slide

 lots of floating

 and jumping too!

 we spent the evening at a Kane Co. Cougars game

 they had inflatables before the game- HUGE hit for our kids!

 It was a million degrees and we were HOT after the game.  We headed to an icecream shop and stuffed ourselves!

 Day #3...waterpark!  We spent the whole day at the waterpark 45 minutes from St. Charles.  It was so much fun.  And while Mara was too small for lots of the slides, Al could ride everyone and did!

 I think Amara did this one 5000 times ( seriously!)

 Love these waterbabies!

 We lounged some too!

 Fun in the sun

 Then we went bumper boating

 Go Carting

 and played lots of video games

 And we loved every second we got to spend with the Murrays....especially Michael!

 Day #4...Children's Museum.  We explored

 we created scenes in shadows

 Brian professed his love

 Not sure I can love these two men more

 We played and played and played

 Then we discovered the nearby Riverwalk and loved exploring it too!  Nothing sweeter than a Daddy and his Daughter!

 Look at these sweeties ( they never fought once on vacation)

 We did discover the Naperville pool and we can't wait to go back and actually swim there!

 Biggest find of the day....a place called Cookie Dough Dreams....8 flavors of cookie dough that they put ON TOP of your icecream.  WHAT!?  It was amazing!

 look at this!

 Then we headed into the city and went to Navy Pier to the ferris wheel

 The lighthouse

 The swings

 And the carousel!

 It was a such a fun day!

 We finished with dinner with Amara's Godfather Anthony and his wife AND aunt Anita!

 Day #5...We headed back to the burbs to enjoy our day at the pool.  We loved spending time with The Laharts too!

 And every extra second with Amara's Godmother, Aunt Jenny was precious!

 Amara had a blast with Hadley

 We had a half birthday party for some of the kids and celebrated Mara's birthday too!

 Day #6...our last morning.  We swam and swam and jumped and dived and slid and loved every second of it!

 We enjoyed all the time we got to spend as a family

 and lots of relaxing too....

 and playing and laughing and being silly and more!

When we got back to C-U we headed straight to the movies to see BRAVE in 3D- Amazing!  

What an incredible vacation.  Can't believe the next vacation we take will be to the Greatest Place on Earth!!!