Touch a Truck

Today was Touch a Truck in Channahon. It is a fun day where the kids can climb into all sorts of trucks from firetrucks and ambulances to excavators and backhoes...and everything you can think of in between. There was even a helicopter there. We went last summer with Chrissy and Lucas and the kids had a ball. Thankfully this year was a little cooler and the kids may have had even more fun. In addition to Chrissy and Lucas, we were also joined by Dave, Lesli, Eric, Ethan, and Maya. The kids had a blast and I think the grown ups did too. After the kids checked out all the trucks and honked way too many horns, it was time to go. The grand finale of the day was watching the helicopter leave. It was fun even for the adults. One of the guys was riding on the platform and waving as they flew away. To top off the days events, we had lunch and ice cream at McDonald's and the kids played. Now if only Riley would take her nap...you would think she should be worn out after so much fun.

New Trick

Tonight Mike taught Riley a new trick...sticking the spoon to your nose! Actually in Mike's defense, he told her he couldn't because they were eating, but she kind of figured out the rest. (he still did kind of start the whole thing though) She is just too darn smart for her own good and too darn cute too. Let's hope this trick is forgotten before her next meal:) And it is a good thing that mommy has a good sense of humor too.

Ralph's World

Ralph is a children's singer that Riley really enjoys. His group is called Ralph's World and we have also turned Lucas into a lover of his music as well. Today he had a concert at the Morton Arboretum so we made it a date. We were joined by Chrissy,Dave, and Lucas her friend Sara, daughter Maggie, and her mom as well as her friend Lesli, husband Eric, and their kids Ethan and Maya. We got there early to get some decent seats for the show. Little did we know when picking our spot that it would be super sunny and hot and that the sun would never want to hide behind the clouds. This made for a hot afternoon and some very hot kids!! We still had a fun time and the kids enjoyed dancing and singing. This is our second year seeing Ralph, but Mike said we are sitting the next one out. Little does he know that Riley told we me we are seeing him again next week....where does she come up with this stuff?

Swimming with the Warren's

Today we headed over to Papa Larry's, Mike's dads, to go swimming. They have a beautiful pool and Riley always has a blast swimming. We were also joined by Tara, Brooke, and Curtis. Riley has been looking forward to seeing them all, plus their dog Lucy. It was a windy day but we still had a great time in the pool. As usual, Riley enjoyed swimming with Brooke and also chasing Curtis around the pool. She really is becoming a pretty good swimmer with her water wings. If only she would use her arms more, she would be even better. Riley thought it was extra funny when Brooke held Lucy over the water and she swam. She could have watched it all day! Thanks for the great day swimming and thanks for the weather starting to finally feel like it is summer.

Splash Park

Today we hung out with my friend Nicole and her son Sean. I used to teach with Nicole in Woodridge and do not get to see her very often anymore. We took the kids to lunch at McDonald's and then headed to the splash park in town. Surprisingly we have never gone before but it was a bunch of fun. Unfortunately I forgot my camera....I know surprised me too..so I was not able to capture the fun moments. They had a great time playing in the water and also at the park too. Then it was time to part ways so the kids could take a nap. Riley conked out on the couch for almost 2 hours....guess she was tired! Thanks to Nicole and Sean for spending a fun day with us.

Riley's First Pedicure

Riley has been asking for a while for me to paint her toes. I kept telling her for Auntie Mallory's wedding. Today she got up and said, "can we paint my toes today?" and I figured what the heck. To make it a little more special for her, we went to the store and I let her pick out her very own nail polish (the kind that supposedly dries in 60 seconds). She carried her nail polish through the store and all the way home. When we can home, she was all ready to get them painted. So she climbed in her seat and I filed them. Then I told her she had to be very still and she actually was. She even sat and watched a movie for a bit after we were done so they could dry some more. All in all she did a great job on her first pedicure. Let's see how long they last though....she was already hinting before lunch that she did not like them and wanted it off:)

Another Fun Day at the Zoo

Today we went to the zoo with Grammy, Papa Bruce, Kris, Kelsey, and Nick. The kids had a blast being together and the weather was beautiful. We got to see some old favorites and Riley had a blast seeing some new things too. Today we went into Scales and Feathers and checked out some of the small reptiles and birds. The kids also cooled off in the sprinklers...some following the mom's rules better than others and getting some new wax animals. What would the zoo be without wax animals?? It was a great day spent together in the sunshine. But after the Arboretum and the zoo back to back, this mommy is pooped!!

Morton Arboretum

Today Riley and I met Granny, Aunt Shannon, Juliet (her friend Maggie), Jadyn, and Eli at the Morton Arboretum. The weather was so nice today and the kids had a ball being together. They got very wet in the children's garden multiple times, climbed many things, and were super silly. The grown ups got quite a workout pushing the strollers. You see...the Arboretum has a special exhibit this summer called Animal Houses. The grown ups were all set to hike to see some of them, but when I say hike, I mean hike. Some of it was on gravel roads and a lot was up hill. The kids had fun in the 4 houses we did see, but the grown ups opted for more time in the children's garden as opposed to more hiking around to see more of the animal houses. Today turned out to be a great day! I can only speak for Riley and I, but we had a great time! You will see in the pictures that she was wiped out, but this picture was taken on the driveway and she only fell asleep when we got on I-80 (for those who have never been to our house before, that is only about 5-10 minutes away from home). Think maybe an early bedtime tonight:)

Flower Girl Dress

On August 14th, Mike's sister Mallory is getting married and Riley is going to be a flower girl. Riley has refused to put on the dress, but recently I convinced her to do it with the help of some Oreo's:) She looks too grown up and you better believe that there will be lots of pictures after the big day.

Wisconsin Trip

This past weekend, we went to Manitowish Waters, Wisconsin for little R & R and a lot of fun. Aunt MaryJo and Uncle Denny have a beautiful house on a lake and were gracious enough to allow us to come and stay with them. We were joined on our trip by Kris, Rob, Kelsey, and Nick. Riley was a trooper on the car ride there and back, she hardly even whined. As you will see in the pictures, she was passed out on the ride home. In Wisconsin, we ate way too much food, saw some loons, eagles, and great sunsets, as well as played on the lake a lot. Riley loved going fast on the boat and even went tubing twice....she is not so sure if she likes it or not. I also went on the tube, once with Mike and once alone. Mike was loving his time on the lake taking all the kids tubing, wakeboarding...he still has it, as well as some tubing alone...he survived the tunnel of terror. I had a great birthday in Wisconsin at Little Bohemia. Rob even embarrassed me with a little singing from the wait staff. We rounded out the birthday day with a ski show put on by the Min-Aqua-Bats. It was a fabulous weekend and we can't wait to do it again. Hope you all enjoy the pictures and there will probably be more added once Kris is back and gets all her pictures online.

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July!! We hope that everyone has a great weekend and a chance to celebrate the holiday. Just a picture of our little "firecracker" to get everyone in the spirit. Doesn't she look so patriotic?

Welcome Ryder!!

Welcome to the world Ryder!!! On Wednesday night, our anniversay, Mike's sister Kelly gave birth to this adorable little boy. We cannot wait to meet the little guy!! Congrats to Kelly and Ryan.