Hot fun in the summertime...

Could it get any hotter this year? We usually spend so much time outside but this year has been almost unbearable.  Thankfully there are lots of museums and indoor play areas with AC. Yes, I am a heat baby. No, I don't care if you judge me.

We had a nice trip to Seattle for Matthew to meet Carl's siblings and visit with family and have the boys get lots of cousin time in.  The weather was amazing. The four hour plane trip both ways was not. But, we survived it and it was worth it to have so much time with Carl's family. I wish we could see them more or lived closer.  Alas, I am not a west coast girl.

Jack is thoroughly enjoying camp and has finally embraced swim day, which was a struggle thanks to a horrible swim instruction we had previously at the Y. I think we are back on track and I am SO thankful for that.

Matthew is moving and shaking. It's crazy how much he can walk now and what he can do. He loves to throw tantrums and I don't remember this about Jack. I asked Carl and he doesn't either...must be a younger child thing. I wouldn't know about that :)

Carl and I have found time to have some fun- al fresco dinners, Ravinia to see Jake Shimubukoro and James Taylor (tomorrow!), time with friends, cooking out, lots of water parties and a little canning. That last part I would like to change but time gets away from me and I don't seem to be as good at planning this year. I do want to do the candied jalapenos again and more pickles, along with apple butter in the fall and salsa when tomatoes come in full-force. I just need to pull up my big girl boots and dive in!

End of the School Year

Today is the last day of school for Jack and we are also getting Matthew's One year old pictures taken today....where has the year gone? Last year was one of the best and worst years for our family.  Our rainbow baby that we had wanted for so long was born healthy and has grown into this amazing little guy. His first birthday is next weekend and we are so excited to celebrate this milestone. Every day, Jack asks about it.  Grandparents and friends are coming in to celebrate and it will be a great time- a baby luau to honor the Hawaiian Heritage on Carl's side of the family.  I am saddened that some of our family won't be there, especially my Gran.  Losing her was the worst part of last year and we still miss her so much every day. The boys and I look at pictures and talk about her but it makes me sad that Matthew won't remember her and I don't know for sure that Jack will but I will try my hardest to make sure he does.  Jack is finishing up his first year of preschool and is so excited to be in the "morning class" next year.  He will also start summer camp in a few weeks and is very excited about that. Summer holds many exciting plans for us and we are super excited about all of our going-ons.  Matthew attended his first Cubs game a couple of weeks ago with our cousins who were in town and we had a great time. Jack loves the cubs, although he is making us crazy by saying he also likes the White Sox okay, too. You can't have it both ways! That's not the Chicago way! But, we (okay, I) smile and cheer along with him for both teams. Don't tell Carl!

Catching up...

WOW...it's been awhile :) We need to get back to my blogs and keep everyone updated on what is going on in our lives. With two boys, that seems to be something new every day. Jack is now 4 and in school three afternoons a week. He loves it. Every morning he wakes up and says, "Is today a school day?" If the answer is yes, he gives an emphatic "YES!" If the answer is no, big groans! I love that he loves school. He has many friends and we walk to school as often as we can, weather permitting, especially this time of year. Our newest addition, Matthew, is determined and persistent, traits he definitely got from Carl. Jokes! He is such a sweet boy but if he wants something, he won't stop until he gets it. He is so smiley and loves to eat. EVERYTHING. This kid might break the bank on the food we are going to have to provide him. He has a slight "puff" addiction and loves all sorts of fruits, veggies and recently a few additions of meat. In 2012, we are working on being better- healthier, kinder, more loving, helping others, compassionate. Just focusing on being better people and teaching our kids to do the same. Sam is now working part-time and loves it and is juggling that with all of her previous responsibilities as scheduler, planner, chef, driver and caregiver for both boys. Carl recently got a promotion at work and is busy, busy, busy with that. He's also very busy as the Treasurer for Pilgrim Lutheran Church, especially with the main fundraiser coming up in March. Carl and Jack have started taking a drum class every Saturday which Jack loves and seems to be learning some pretty cool stuff. Sam lost her beloved Gran in November of 2011, which has been a hard road to go but we are all trying to live better in her memory and remember her in the best ways possible.

Happy Birthday America!

We just got home from a ten day tour of the midwest. Jack had a great time, we saw tons of family and we are now very happy to be home! We are so happy that we got to see so many family members that we don't see often and have a great time with all of them. Jack especially loved seeing his cousins and couldn't stop talking about Mallory, Tori and baby Emmy. He also is still enamoured with his cousin Jacob who is a year and a half older and so much fun for Jack to hang out with. Here are a few pictures of highlights....

Walking for Henry

Today we did the March of Dimes walk in honor of Henry. It was very emotional- happy, sad, overwhelming, but, I am so happy we were able to do it. After a very hard week, I wasn't sure it was going to happen but it did and for that I am very thankful. Jack loved that we got to walk by the big buildings and the river and we also got to ride the train, which he loves. We had so much support financially and several friends walked in support, which was amazing. Our friends Leslie and Jessica walked the full 6 miles, even when it rained partway through. Stefani and Istvan couldn't make it to the walk and took Ryker and a walk to remember Henry and sent us this great picture. Other friends walked in different cities in support of this great organization. We have so much love and support for us and the memory of Henry and that is amazing and quite a blessing.

Easter

Jack had a really fun Easter this year. We didn't even attempt to visit the big bunny after his "pooh incident" in Florida but we greatly enjoyed coloring Easter Eggs and hiding and finding them and he was really exxcited about the bunny coming and dropping off a basket for him. Enjoy!

Jack Dancing

hysterical....

Jack's new hat

this is a pic of jack's new hat and sunglasses....enjoy!

sledding

Jack and Maggie

Happy Birthday to one of Jack's favorite people!

Recent video and pictures

We are back in our business of classes, playgroups and everything else going on. Jack loves taking baths now and wants to take them every night (sometimes more than once a day!). Here is some video where he is saying Hi Gigi, Hi Tutu....he likes to pretend to swim too. I's pretty cute. Enjoy!

Christmas

Jack had a great Chrismtas and got tons of stuff- every day we have a new toy to play with :) enjoy the pics.

Happy Birthday Jack!

Jack is 2 years old today! We had his party a couple of weekends ago and he had a great time. Everytime we go somewhere with lots of people (church, a Christmas party, etc.) Jack says "My party!" It's really cute, he now thinks every gathering is his party :) We are celebrating his birthday today with his gift from us (a little scooter) and Santa's visting overnight to fill our stockings, since we won't actually be home on Christmas Day. Have a great Christmas!

Jack's class

Jack is taking a couple of classes this session and loves it. here are some pictures from his class at the parks district. After class we go to lunch with our friends at a nearby restaurant. It's nice to have time for Jack to be out and I can catch up with other mom's. Jack is not having too much trouble with the terrible two's yet but I can see it coming once in awhile! He is beginning to talk a lot. He also likes to sit on his "potty" the last couple of days- sometimes naked, sometimes with a diaper on. We'll see what comes of that- my expectations are very low since boys are much later potty trainers than girls.

More Halloween Fun

We went trick or treating (twice!) and Jack loved it....here are some fun pictures. Oliver went with us at night in our neighborhood and that morning we went to a business trick-or-treat very close to where we live. It was lots of fun and Jack loved getting suckers (which he calls Kuckers)!

Halloween fun

We spent the afternoon carving pumpkins with our friends and neighbors- Pam, Travis and Oliver. The boys had a lot of fun and we ended up with some pretty cool pumpkins. I am excited for Jack's first "real" halloween of trick or treating and going to neighborhood stuff!

Tiny Tots Tumbling is finally paying off!

Enjoy...

My new friend...

Here is a picture of me with Uncle Ibo and my new friend Ryker. I can't wait to play with him but when we saw him today all he wanted to do was sleep and eat!

Jack's first Cubs game

Here are some pictures from Jack's first Chicago Cubs baseball game today- enjoy.