Summer Fun with My Family

Q sizing up the dance floor! My little stud!

Sloan dancing to "tonight's gonna be a good night"...she's so serious

It's about 11 PM in this pic...

Brad, my bro and our fav cousins

Grants Farm

We love our CC

We were able to make it back to St. Louis at the beginning of the summer! I love it when we have the time to do so, however, when we're there the time flies by, could we just pause the clock just for a week?????

I've decided I should take a month off work to go and have the kiddos enjoy all the adventures I loved when I was a child. Six flags, the zoo, magic house, swimming/skiing at Nana and Papa's lake house and much more.....

While we were "home," my cousin got married, so that was a blast being ALL TOGETHER. It was awesome to see Sloan and Q on the dance floor, idolizing my cousins and never wanting to leave....I think we rolled out of there at almost midnight. Then, we were able to spend a nice visit with My Nana and Papa---Q is so proud to call them Great Nana and Papa. They are 82 and 83 and love to have these kiddos around. It is a joy to have the kids show them their tricks and watch the smiles on their faces!

Lastly, My mom and I took Q and S to Grant's Farm. That place is so cool and not to mention sooooo CLEAN for basically being a zoo! The goats, merry go round, the train and animal show were all great! The kids were in heaven!

All in all a awesome trip and we hope to make it back really soon....we miss CC and DD!

Happy Bday and Father's Day!

What an awesome week for celebrations!!!

My parents Anniversary (34 yrs), Aaron and My Mom's birthday (on the same day) and Fathers Day!

We were able to celebrate over the whole week and weekend. Q was insistent on going fishing with his Daddy as a special date...they did and brought home 2 fish to show for it! Go Gentlemen! Then we had our fill of flash light dance parties (power outages) bike rides, great food (Dad's choice: PF Chang's, and Weber Grill) and fun family conversation and laughter!

Aaron, we love you so much and are so proud to call you daddy, hubby and most important best friend in the whole wide world!

I hope my mom and dad were able to enjoy their special day(s) together, and I know they are looking forward to their trip to Vegas this week! We Love you guys!

Papa we love you too and look forward to your visit to Chi-town very soon, where we can celebrate a belated father's day!

Easter 2010

We were able to celebrate in Morton before we left! Fun Fun!

It's been sooooooo long!

Where has the time gone? Oh wait, packing, unpacking, getting settled, traveling for my job, Sloan's 2nd birthday, Papa's 70th, Maggie's 7th, Easter, Mother's day, Our 10 year anniversary, meeting new friends, finding our way around town, somehow we decided to train for a marathon and most importantly.....LOVIN IT!!!!!!!!!

The time has gone so quick, but it truly has been an adventure for each of us. The neighborhood have been so welcoming, with little treats left at our doorstep, the town itself has been great as well. We have enjoyed walking EVERYWHERE--school, library, parks, post office, dinner, you name it!

Q has adjusted awesome to school already making friends with some buddies and girlfriends (of course). And Sloan knows absolutely NO stranger! She is a character! Hi, she may even break out into a dance, we never know. We are so proud of her wanting to go pee on the potty! She truly has done it all on her own and with little accidents. Aaron and I are just taking everything in; There's so much to offer. We just celebrated 10 years of marriage and look forward to 50 more years!

Well, I am going to sign off for now and post some pics from the past month. My commitment is to get back in the swing of things with this blog, as I know I will cherish the memories in the future. Hope you all are doing well and please come visit!

We are moved!

We are here in CHI TOWN and lovin it! OMG...there is some many things to do: parks, museums, playsets, friends, oh yeah...and unpacking over 200 boxes! Thank you so much to my mom and Nicki for helping out so much with the kiddos and the craziness....

More to come...the neighbors, the town...it's been wonderful!

CC and DD

My parents were able to come to Morton to visit last week for the last time until we move up north. We had a great time just hanging out, especially on Saturday when the weather was awesome and we were able to play basketball, bike, swing and slide. Also we tried to eat at all the greasy spoons in town reminiscing times when I was a a child....Judy's was excellent and the Knights of Columbus fish fry was ok, needless to say we ended up going through the McD's drive thru on the way home! Not that good o fish!

CC and DD thanks for coming to see us, we love when you're with us because you spoil us rotten!

A crazy couple of weeks...

We've had a few busy weeks in Morton. Sloan decided to fall into the recliner chair and get a big old black eye. We felt so bad, because it just looked so bad yet, I think it looks worse than it felt. Everyone looks and her and "us" everywhere we go, "what happened?" and the explaination goes on. We felt so bad for her little eye, but it has started to cleared up very well already and next week you won't even know anything happened.

Then the big news was that the DQ had to open just when we moved to town. (Not really..) Therefore, every night we have been craving yummy blizzards and ice cream cones piled with sprinkles. We've made a few trips and plan to make a few more before we head out. Big news in this little town!

Papa and Jane decided to head west to Arizona for the month (we miss them already!) We were able to get everyone together for a pizza party and enjoy some crazy fun with kiddos singing and dancing all night!

Finally Quinton learned to roller skate. I was so proud of Q. This was his first time and he did awesome!!!! As we approached the rink, he watched closely all of the big kids and initially said, "the first time I fall we're outta here!" Well, that wasn't the case because he did fall and it didn't matter, he loved it. We all laughed so hard we cried. Q did very well and we look forward to many more adventures to the rink...next time with our cousins!

We've Officially Moved

Feb 4th was such a bittersweet day!

We were thrilled to have this opportunity and ready for the next adventure, yet very sad because of all the special memories we had in our home for over 12 years. Aaron and I walked around the bare home, reminiscing about us practicing our first dance for our wedding in the living room before all the furniture had moved in, bringing home both babies with special guests showering us at the front door, the addition that Aaron dreamt up one evening in bed and then the calls that a tornado had hit our home when it all began, but most importantly all the friendships that were formed over the years.

I realize a house is a only a house and you can leave it behind; it's the memories that you share that you will last forever and can and WILL be brought for the next chapter.

So here we are, we've officially moved into Papa's and are having a blast. Papa has been so generous to literally let us TAKE OVER his house. Andi, Trac and the kiddos are next door and we're lovin it! It's been constant laughter, a few cries and a whole lot of fun! We have seemed to be able to follow several rituals already, La Fiesta Friday nights, Judy's Saturday morning breakfast and we'll usually find ourselves calling one other..."It's taco Tuesday, dinner's over here tonight," ok, I have some sour cream, I have the cheese...." Need less to say, I think it will be hard to leave Morton now.....keep you posted on a closing date in March!

Elf on a Shelf

Isn't he cute?

Have you ever seen this? It's about the cutest thing for the holidays! I had heard about it from a friend and it's been a great start to a hilarious tradition for a family. Our elf's name is ELFIE! Pretty original... huh? He has kept Q on his toes...most of the time. Every night he flies to the north pole to report to Santa about our kiddos behavior, then in the morning he flies back into our home in a different spot.

Q loves getting up every morning to find our where he has landed this time! Sometimes it's on a shelf, but most of the time it's hanging from chandeliers, sitting on the tree or upside down in "mom's TJ Maxx decor". In the early morn, Sloan can find it faster than us, pointing....elf, elf, elf and giggling!!!! Then the one sided conversations that Q has with this creature are the best! "Well, Elfie, I didn't mean to push sister, she just was in my way of playing star wars, or Elfie, mom needs to go to time out she wasn't following my directions, or I am sorry for having a fit it really wasn't worth it...please don't tell Santa."

It truly has brighten our Christmas this year, not to forget about the real reason for the season, just to see the innocence of young children and the excitement of believing! Oh, I think I still believe! I hope Santa is good to you this year. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Christmas already????

Before the picture....

There was a holiday open house this past weekend and we decided to head up for some family fun. Santa and Mrs. Claus were anxiously awaiting for boys and girls to sit on their laps. Q was so excited to meet Santa and later asking if that is what Santa always looks like? Sloan on the other hand was so excited to see some new faces UNTIL I handed her over ...hence the entire family pic with Santa.....just had to share. I love all these moments that will remember forever!

The leaves...

Fun Fun Fun

Q's getting soooooooo tall

My pink cutie

Q soaring in the air

Over the past few weekends, we've enjoyed playing in the leaves....it feels like the changing of the trees happened so fast this year! Fall is my favorite season...the kids sure enjoy it too!

Halloween 2009

Our tradition continues on...We arrive before dark at Max and Maggie's in Morton, Go Trick or Treating for awhile, come back fill our bellies with chili, dips, veggies, cookies, cupcakes and loads of candy and get sick afterwards...(just kidding). We have a blast every year. This year was extra special because both Papa and CC and DD were there to celebrate with us. Q was darth vader and Sloan was our sweet strawberry!

We were also able to get some pics with our neighbors and Q's buddies the Bucklar's. Cheers to the next holiday THANKSGIVING!!!!

Starved Rock

Had an exciting day of hiking and adventure with our good friends the O'Sullivan's. Poor Sloan was hanging on Daddy's back, but boy she loved every minute of it (note the pink fur for hiking... obviously, wasn't thinking very much!) Q on the other hand hiked the entire 4 miles like a true champ! Check out how beautiful this state park is in the Fall!!!!

It's for real!

After the Remodel

Before the Remodel

Well, we're moving to the big city of Chicago! The house went on the market a week ago and what a bittersweet day.... tears rolled down my face when the sign was placed in the yard. Why? Because was our first house after marriage, we brought both babies home in it and all the love and attention when rehabbing, will never be forgotten. However, we are thrilled for the new experience and looking forward to the new adventure! Q continues to comment on all the parks, trains and BIG building we plan to see. Still don't actually know where we'll live but, know we'll make it home!

Aaron's friend from high school, Jr Koch is our realtor and he has done an absolutely amazing with showings like crazy, advertisements and open houses. Hopefully a family will come that will love our home as much as we do! Thanks again for all you've done....we owe ya!

Well, we'll keep you posted!

Fall Fun!!!

We headed to Tanner's pumpkin, apple patch this past weekend and the kiddos had a wonderful time. Well we did too, just seeing them happy! They ran thru the hay maze, rode on a yellow school bus, played miniature golf, picked some pumpkins, fed the animals and ate cider donuts....YummY!!!!!! What more could a kid ask for?

They're growing to love each other more and more by the day. Q has definitely taken on the BIG Bro role and Sloan loves to follow. This was a great start to an awesome season....Happy Fall!

Another Pumpkin Fest!

Again this year, we had a memorable time at the PF. We were able to make two visits which was nice and Q was thrilled, because this year his height allowed him to be able to ride even MORE rides than last!!!! The bumper cars, the slide and the TORNADO, which he referred to as the Thunderstorm, was his favorite, but not Mommy's. I felt as if I might vomit all over him and the O'Sullys when we continued spinning and spinning and spinning. I hadn't felt like that since back in college, if you know what I mean!

Saturday, the kiddos and I were able to enjoy the parade with Papa and our cousins, Maggie and Max. Sloan sat on Aunt Traci's lap the entire time and loved every minute of it! She was into the bands and the crazy costumes. I think her face says it all!

We sure love the tradition in Morton and look forward to it ever single year!!!!!!