Independence Day

Our fourth of July was wonderful this year.  Except for the heat.  It was very hot.  Got up to 106 degrees.  It's not supposed to get that hot here.  Oh well.  I'm used to it from back home, so it wasn't a complet shock, but I didn't much like it then, and certainly don't like it now.  But that really is the only thing I could even complain about.  All in all, that's pretty good I'd say.

We had a wonderfully relaxing morning at home.  We played games, watched a movie, and just tried to relax.  Then we went over to our dear friend's house around 4:00.  Several families were coming for the party.  Our plan was to hang out in the backyard and let the kids play all sorts of games, many involving water, but it was so hot we mostly stayed inside.  The kids all had lots of fun indoors, so we didn't worry about it.

Everyone brought lots of food, and we grilled some dinner and enjoyed some fabulous sides.  Seriously so much food!  Then a couple more families sort of crashed/stopped by and we all hung out for awhile. The sun got lower and it cooled off by a degree or two, so the kids went out back to play, apparently the heat wan't enough to deter them.  Then several people went to the lake (which was only a block away), along with the dad's and all the kids.  They splashed and played and had a great time.  A few of us moms stayed back to relax and enjoy the cool and quiet house.  Ahhh.  A rare moment on a busy holiday.

The crew came back from the beach and we all got ready to go over to watch the fireworks.  They set off the fireworks over the lake, so most people watch from the beaches.  We walked across the street from our friend's home and set up our blankets and chairs just south of the beach on some grass.  Our view was wonderful, and we didn't have the massive crowds that were gathered on the beach.  Score!

While we waited for and then watched the fireworks, the moon rose above the lake.  It was a magnificent deep orange color, and it reflected across the water.  It was one of the most amazing moons I've ever seen.  I enjoyed it more than the fireworks.

After the show was done, we walked back to our friend's house, and sat around chatting for awhile longer, while the kids wound down watching a cartoon.  By the time we left, the traffic had all dissipated and we were able to easily make it home.  


You've probably noticed the lack of pictures on this post.  Why is that you ask?  Well, we brought our camera with us, and meant to take pictures, but were having so much fun we forgot.  Not very smart, but true.  It's all for the best though.  Because the next day I saw the memory card from our camera sitting next to our computer.  It wasn't even in the camera on the 4th, so we wouldn't have been able to take any pictures anyway.  Oh well.  I guess we weren't meant to capture this holiday on film.  Maybe next year.

Camping

We went camping on the Friday of Memorial Day weekend with some great friends.  We went someplace close to home, and tried to have as much fun as we could.  The kids all seemed to have a blast.  And, at least speaking for Eric and myself, the adults had fun too.  Cooking over a campfire is always a good idea in my book.  Rain...not so much.  Yup, the weather had been really nice all week, and then decided to turn on us.  It didn't affect us too much on Friday, but it dumped on us that night!  And the next morning everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, was soaked.  Even my shoes were wet.  They were outside of the tent, but still underneath the awning part, and should have stayed dry, but all the condensation decided to pool together and drip right into my shoes.  Awesome.  Even the rain couldn't dampen our spirits though...much.  There was more exploring to do in the morning by the kids, who took every chance they got to run into the woods and look for the mud monster.  And with a little help from a couple of the dads, they were dutifully scared too.  I could have sat a listened to them scream and watch them come running out of the woods all night.  It took me right back to the carefree days of being a child.  The excitement of pretending and exploring and all the possibilities that came with it.  Anyhoo, we even survived a sighting of the old hag (long story)!  Lots of fun, and I can't wait to do it again!

The kids started off playing some ladder ball.

But they were quickly distracted by Mother Nature.  You can see the butterfly they
are all looking and pointing at.  It looks like it's on Maddox's right shoulder.

These kids loved being silly!

More silliness!

Here they are in front of their entrance to the woods.  They would follow that path back over and over.

We did manage to get a couple nice shots too.

In this really short video, even though it's pretty dark, you can kind of see the kids running around with their glow sticks, running out of the woods screaming.  Some of them would be monsters etc, and growl at the others.  Love it!

A Friendly Visit

Less than a week after my family visited me, my wonderful friend Sarah came for a visit.  She is just finishing up her graduate degree, and wanted to get away for a bit.  I think she was really just trying to get as far away from the world of academia as possible, and so naturally thought of me.  =)  It was such a fun visit, and I'm so glad she came.

While she was here we mostly just hung out together, not doing anything too amazing.  But we did get down to Chicago to see the Art Institute, Millenium Park (because it's right next door), and to grab a treat at Ghirardelli's.  Doesn't get much better than that: beautiful paintings, and beautiful desserts!

We also made it out to Lake Geneva and down to the beach.  The weather was just fabulous.  I think I could have walked up and down the beach all day.  It was so relaxing.

Emma has been loving this month with all its visitors.  She had so much fun with Sarah, and Sarah was such a good sport with Emma.  They played games, put puzzles together, acted silly, and made funny faces.  Anytime we drove anywhere, Emma was disappointed if Sarah wasn't sitting next to her.  And because it's Emma's favorite, we even took Sarah down to the Jelly Belly Store.

We had fun eating out, we had fun eating in, and just enjoyed seeing each other.  It was a very relaxed visit, without too much on the agenda.  Perfect.  We were sad to see her go.  Sarah, thank you for visiting us.  You are welcome anytime!

Family Visit

Last week we had some family visitors.  My parents, sister, brother-in-law, and niece came to see us.  I loved having them here!  Family is just awesome!  And I have missed being around them.  I know Emma has too.

We were able to do and see a lot while they were here, but my favorite thing was just seeing them, especially my cute little niece.  She has grown so much since I last saw her.  She can just make me smile no matter what.  And Emma adores her!  She like a little sister to Emma.  Eliza would just follow Emma around and want to do the same things.  I loved it.  Here are some of the highlights from their visit.

We went to Chicago three times while they were here for various reasons.  

The first time we took the train.  Emma loves taking the train, and Eliza did too!  

She was having fun crawling around on the seat.

Emma and Eliza

Emma with my Dad

At Millenium Park

 Emma loves the bean.  And Eliza seemed very intrigued by it.  

I loved how she walked right up to it next to Emma.  Love those two!

Navy Pier with Jill

Emma loved the time with my parents.

 We went to a Cubs game too.   My dad really wanted to

attend a game at Wrigley Field, so we all went.

Our parking space for the game.  It was in an alley.  I'm glad we didn't take
our bigger car - I don't think it would have fit!

There was a weird light fog on the field, like it had just nestled right on down in there.

This view down the row from me equals happiness!  I love my family!!

My little goofball!  She took her mitt to the game, and held it almost the entire time hoping to catch
 a ball.   Even if the Braves hit a fly ball that the Cubs caught, she was somewhat disappointed
because it went the opposite direction from where she was.  I think the hot dog, peanuts, and hot
chocolate helped make the night a success anyway, even though she never caught a ball.

I think Emma's favorite thing in the city was going to Ghirardelli's.  And we went there twice!  Our first time the weather was a little colder, so we enjoyed some hot chocolate and some decadent drinking chocolate.  Emma also took more than her share of my dad's milkshake.  I think she liked it all.  

It really is Emma behind that shake.  I promise!

See?  Told you.

She looks very content, don't you think?

And Eliza shares Emma's love for milkshakes.  This girl is so funny to watch while she enjoys a treat!  She barely comes up for air!  I think she must have the ability to convert milkshake into oxygen. 

That's the only way to explain how she can drink it.  And if you start taking it away 

she'll put her hand on yours to hold it there!  Just awesome!!

We were able to see some other things in the surrounding areas, 

and of course enjoy some yummy meals together.  

Emma loves wearing her hat backwards.  I don't know where she gets it from!  

But look, they can look nice too.

Eliza does this funny thing sometimes.  I only saw it while she was eating or drinking, but she probably does it other times too.  She would tip her head back and smile really cute.  Loved it.

Here she's doing her head tilt smile thing again.

Emma loves it when a restaurant has toys you can play with.

Of course, because Emma insists, everyone who comes to visit us has to see the Jelly Belly Center.  So, we went.  And guess what?  It's just as boring a tour the 4th time as it is the 1st.  Oh well.  At least everyone gets free jelly bellies!  So they don't usually complain.

The entire time my family was here I just loved seeing Emma and Eliza together.  They just love each other.  It was so cute to see them hugging or holding hands.

Here are a couple cute videos of my niece.  The first one is of her

reaction to bubbles.  She couldn't get enough of them!

This second video is of her playing with Emma's whoopee cushion.  She would try to take it and blow it up, and when it was ready she would promptly turn around and sit on it.  Usually she would land perfectly on it, but by the time we tried to film it a little of the magic had gone.  Oh well.  You get the idea.  And it's still cute.  I'm so glad that Emma could introduce her cousin to potty humor!

When it was time to say goodbye, Emma just cried and cried.  She loves family, and has a hard time living so far away from everyone.  Skyping just isn't the same as seeing them in person.  It broke my heart to see her so sad.  And I don't know right now when the next time is we'll see my family.  So I couldn't even offer that information to her.  I love living here, and I love the people here, but it is hard being far away from family.  Especially for Emma.  It was so much fun having everyone visit.  I wish they could've stayed longer, but life was beckoning.  Thank you Mom, Dad, Jill, Brad, and Eliza for coming to see us.  You are always welcome!  I hope you can come back soon!!  We love you!