Just Anna

Anna has really grown this summer, not necessarily in size but in independence, personality, bravery, and just as a little person. Last summer she was so scared of water that she would never walk in the creek without holding a hand, and she would cry the instant you let go. This summer she excelled in swimming lessons, loosened up at the water park, and trudged through endless creek alone. She'd wade to her thighs, she'd travel up ahead, and she didn't need to have anyone next to her. Camping this past weekend she really strutted her stuff as she was in and out of the creek the whole time we were there, it wasn't deep but it was so cold. She loves her new found independence in the water and spent a lot of time in water this summer. Much more than anyone else. She was always the first one in and the last one out.
She has begun to love to pose for the camera, be it at the zoo, in front of the fire, or just at home when she has on a new outfit. She loves having her ears pierced and wouldn't be caught not wearing a dress to church ever. She plays all day with her brothers or alone and is helpful around the house when asked. She is so excited to start soccer and first grade that she asks ten times a day how many days until... Well tonight is her first soccer practice and Wednesday school starts. Life keeps changing a moving and although at times I miss by blond haired blue eyed toddler with two ponies sticking out the side of her head and endless chatter, I so love the brown haired blue eyed little girl she has become.

Poolside

We had a great afternoon of swimming and lunch at Mr. Jim's pool in Michigan (my SIL's dad). We are so thankful he keeps the pool up and always has it ready for us to use when we are there. The kids love it. Anna stayed in the water practically the whole time.

Luke was in and out, but he had a blast and loved jumping off the diving board.
Beau loves to swim underwater and isn't he cool in his goggles.
Anna was such a diva with her sunglasses, she can touch in the shallow end but liked the wings to help her go a little further out. Doesn't she look relaxed.
Caroline, in all her cuteness. She was getting all ready to get in the water, but stopped to pose.

Abiageal chilled on PopPop for hours (at least two) just like this, it was a little too cool for her to get in, but she was happy as a clam just watching.
Beau and Anna playing in the water. They have so much fun together no matter where they are.Luke and Caroline needed a rest, so this became the spot for the sleepy little ones. Abi did finally fall asleep.
And PopPop finally did get in the water. He terrorized Anna, and it sounded as though she hated every minute of it, but then she would just go back for more because she was really loving it.
It was a great day at the pool.

Butterflies

One of the kids favorite exhibits was the butterfly habitat at the zoo. They had been to one before in Chicago a couple years back that was even better, but this one sufficed. Beau was telling me all the names of the butterflies, apparently he used to have a book in his classroom. Anna was mezmerized by the different colors, and Luke thought the catepillars were the best. It was our first stop at the zoo and I thought we were never going to leave, I was hot and uncomfortable and did not enjoy it near as much as the kids. I bailed with Anna and Luke as soon as I could and left Beau in there with PopPop. It was a great start to a great day at the zoo.

A Glimpse of the Last Month

I am back...I think. We have been home a week last night. The drive with the kids was loud (on their part) but good. They were so hyper the first day I thought I might die, but instead I just kept driving, making it more than 2/3's on the first day. We swam at the hotel and then finished up the trip by leaving at lunch on the second day. They were much quieter and I enjoyed that but I was tired so the second day was harder.
However, we are home. This picture was of a storm rolling in before we left and I love it and the other 10-15 that I took.
We went swimming in Michigan and Anna thoroughly loved her time in the water.
We also went to the Detroit Zoo, where the kids found this big rock that just begged to be climbed so we used it as a photo op. We were thankful that Therese (our Goddaughter) and Vonnie (a long time mentor of mine) and Erica (their friend) were able to spend the day with us at the zoo and we loved catching up with them. It was also my nieces first trip to the zoo so I got to share that momento with them. Abiageal (the little one on Anna) also blessed me with many firsts while I was home. I gave her her first solids and I got to watch her take her first steps (much to the chagrin of her mommy because now she is everywhere). I am so thankful for those moments with her and thankful to her parents for letting me be so much a part of her life even though I live so far away.
This was the prairie dog hole, Therese and Beau are popped up, in another picture somewhere there are actual prairie dogs down in front of them. The kids really liked this although we see plenty of prairie dogs in Montana (many on the side of the road squashed.)
Finally this one was just a cuddle moment, all still in pjs but I didn't care. They sure enjoyed being with their cousins and I think Caroline is still hoping Luke will walk back through the door. They are the best of buds and I hope they always will be.
It has been hard to get back into the swing of things around here. We have two weeks until school, but that aspect is already covered. Supplies are bought and bagged and ready. Kids are ready too, I'm not sure I am but I will be. Ben accomplished so much while we were gone, he started the rock garden in front of the porct, built Anna a lofted bed to open up her bedroom, and finished the counter for the island. He has now almost completed 1/2 of the rest of the counters and it looks like they will all be complete before summer ends (keeping our fingers crossed.) I started a new workout program and am slowly able to move now after lots of sore muscles, but it feels good to work hard. I am three weeks behind Ben and he has toned up significantly already and lost 8 lbs, so hopefully I can work as hard as he has and see the results in a month. It is a 90 day program so I still have 82 to go, but I'm confident I'll get there.

Moving forward, that is what we are doing now. I'll put up more pictures and details of our trip and Ben's work here in the coming days. For now enjoy.

Chicago Land

We just finished a fantastic weekend in Chicago with my sister and her fabulous boyfriend, Mike. They endured all of our stuff, and entertained us fully. We arrived Thursday at noon after an all night driving trip. Beau was surprised with a trip to the White Sox game with her summer camp kids and his aunt. He really wanted to go for the hot dogs. He enjoyed his time there. Then Friday we got up early and made our way to Six Flags Great America. Anna hated her first roller coaster, THE DEMON, but rebounded later in the day and went on the Whizzer three times. Luke loved the Whizzer and was super disappointed not to be big enough for the other coasters. beau loved them all but his favorite was the Demon because he learned that the Demon used to be his dad's favorite. Ben wasn't able to come with us this trip and it was pretty obvious that Beau missed him terribly that day. Thankfully Mike, Sarah's boyfriend, stepped in and rode everything Beau wanted to with him. Thanks Mike we really appreciated your kindness. The kids also really enjoyed the waterpark. Anna and I did the tube rides, and Beau and I did the tubes and some race body slides. It was a lot of fun, but man did it wear us all out.
The next day we slept in and then did a little shopping on Michigan Ave. When I was in high school that was a huge trip for me so doing with the kids with my sister (who does it all the time) was a bit surreal. Anna's birthday treat was a trip to the American Girl Doll Place where she was allowed to pick a doll. She chose Rebecca and her kittens and thoroughly enjoyed her trip there. Then we took the boys to the Lego Store, Beau was fascinated by all of it. Luke was asleep until Beau woke him up and showed him where we were, I've never seen him wake up so fast.
After Lego we headed back to Mike's where we ate the biggest Chicago style pizza I've ever seen. I opted for a stuffed grilled chicken pizza and loved it. We also made a trip up to the roof of Mike's condo complex and enjoyed a gorgeous sunset. Sunday we enjoyed a great dinner for Sarah's birthday at an Italian restaraunt in downtown with Mike's parents. It was extremely enjoyable and the kids behaved really well (at least that's my opinion). The kids got to ride in two taxi's and thought that was the coolest thing ever. Thanks Mike and Sarah for a fun-filled weekend.

24 Hours Later

We left yesterday morning around 10:30. We travelled across five states, and we have finally landed here in Chicago. We will stay here for a few days before continuing on our journey to Michigan. We got here a little earlier than expected so Beau was able to attend a summer camp outing with his Aunt Sarah. They went to a Cubs game, not that he knew what or who the Cubs were but the fact that they served hot dogs and he got to be with his aunt was enough to persuade him to go. It is strange to be missing one child, but it is quieter here than it would be, and I need some rest so I am thankful. Luke and Anna are adjusting to the long trip. We didn't stop other than to eat or potty so they are laying upside down on chairs at Aunt Sarah's and just enjoying not being strapped in while they zone out in front of PBS. They slept but not as much as normal. I'll post pictures when I get some sleep and take some. Can't wait to share more of our adventures. Tomorrow is Six Flags Great America and Hurricane Harbor waterpark. WOOHOO!!!

Fishing with Dad

It would be a far stretch to call Ben a fisherman, but when Beau asked him to fish with him he readily agreed. They didn't catch anything, but I think they both enjoyed the time together.