Feels a lot like summer...

Ahhh....windows open, ceiling fans running in almost every room, the smell of freshly cut grass...it's starting to feel a lot like summer.  Life is good, simply L.O.V.E. this time of year.

Had the opportunity to have a girls' night with the other mommies from Zachary's class.  It was a great "end of the year" get together and night out with the ladies at "Painting Escapes".  Yes, if my hand is held the whole way, it's possible for me to do something crafty.  

Sunday evening barbecue and sparkler fun with Auntie Kelle.

Memorial Day barbecue at Kensington Park and Beach.  Perfect weather this Memorial Day weekend.

Our grill master, Uncle Basel!

We had 3 full days of quality family time and it feels soooo good! May God continue to bless our troops, our veterans, and may God Bless America!

Mother's Day, Birthdays, Weddings

We've had a busy couple of weeks.  The kids and I have been to Valpo twice, and Randy is here with us now to celebrate the wedding of my cousin Jessie.  We have lots of pictures to document our travels and fun times.

Teta Helen and Helaina with her homemade Mother's Day cake.  Somehow Helaina talked Teta into having her very own heart shaped cake made for the special day! 



Sneaking out of bed has been exhausting for these two kiddos.  Fast asleep on the stairway landing this time.

In Valpo with my mom to celebrate her birthday and Mother's Day!

"Snook's Last Sail" aka a low-key bachelorette party for the bride-to-be.  My cousin Lisa helped with the awesome nautical décor and with the help of all the bridesmaids, we had a very memorable evening at Stacks and then back at the Snook residence. 

Games are always fun :)

Helping Grandma make cupcakes for the party.

Rehearsal dinner at the Snook house.

The bride on her wedding morning.

Girl time!!! Will cherish these memories for a lifetime.  Jess' journey has been long and her wedding weekend was perfect. 

Mr. and Mrs. Pyle!

Who doesn't like a little Shirley Temple at the wedding reception?!?

Dancing the night away...

Grandma and Grandpa McGinley and their 7 children! Precious memories.

Yearly Stats

Helaina is 5 and Zachary is 3.  Where has the time gone? Both kids had their yearly well-visit last week and both kids submitted their paperwork to attend Kindergarten and 1/2 day Preschool in the fall.  Where has the time gone?  Helaina will ride the bus most days and at school five, full days of the week.  With Zach in school two mornings a week, I will have approximately 5 hours a week without children? Have I mentioned, where has the time gone?  Bittersweet...smiles and tears.  

Helaina weighed in at 48 pounds (82 percentile) and 44 inches (75 percentile).  She passed all her milestone checks and is looking forward to starting school this September.

Zachary's well-visit was a bit more eventful.  He weighed in at 33 pounds (64 percentile) and 37 1/2 inches (49th percentile).  He's built just like my brother, but I don't think Zach received the same height genes as his Uncle Nate. We'd settle for Uncle Omar's though :)!

After checking his ears for potatoes, Dr. Becker found something else living inside.  For over a month (unknowingly to all of us), Zach had a bracelet bead lodged in his right ear.  The Dr. was surprised that I was so calm about the whole situation, but honestly, it's par for this guys course.  After a long 15 minute ear wash, tremendous cooperation from Zach, and dislodging pellets of ear wax, this little gem fell right out.  All is now well!

Zach's class took a trip to the Northville Fire Station.

We had a lovely visit to Indiana this past weekend and are looking forward to traveling again in the next week for my cousin's wedding!

The future bride-to-be and her bridesmaid :)

A Kodak moment...this is how fabulous we felt the Mother of the Bride (my aunt) looked when she revealed her look for the big day!

Helaina "Octopied" Hockey town!

This little guy thinks he is a comedian. He was spying on Randy and me from the stairs after we put him to bed.  Unfortunately, his sleepy little eyes couldn't stay open any longer and this is where we found him on our way up to bed later that night.  

Helaina had the chance to attend a playoff hockey game with Randy's parents last week!  It was Game 4 verse Boston and it was one heck of a game.  We ended with a loss and the series is now over, however, she'll have some fabulous memories to cherish forever!

What we're doing on this rainy day, towers of Lego's.

Christ is Risen!

"Christ is Risen! Indeed, He is Risen!"  

God is good!  Easter Sunday was such a beautiful, sunny and warm day spent with our family.  There is something so special about Easter and the joy it brings with renewed hope of all things good.  

The kids had a scavenger hunt with clues and eggs to help find their Easter basket with goodies. 

After an afternoon church service and Easter egg hunt, we spent the rest of the day at Randy's parents' home.  Auntie Georgette had another fun hunt with the kids.  Randy and I were joking that our kids perception of reality is definitely warped.  Every egg they opened for the last week had either money or candy inside.  Oh the joy of having such loving and giving family!

The last of three cakes to celebrate Little Man's 3rd birthday.  This Spiderman lemon cake was chosen by the Zach attack and he enjoyed every minute of his week-long sugar high!