4th of July

We have a special spot we always go to watch fireworks. This year was perfect. Not too hot and a cool breeze from the lake.Kids were happy. We were together as a family!

 Playing tag while waiting...

May/June Birthdays

Maddison turned 9!

 Reid turned 3! And, he let everyone know. Below, we surprised him with decorations and Super Hero party!

 Batman, Superman, and Spiderman cupcakes. This boy was in heaven!

 Chloe turned 7!

Mother's Day tea party

No one does Mother's Day quite like Chloe's teacher Mrs. Alderman!

Disney Race Weekend

In January I had the privilege of running the Disney 5k. I was going to do the 1/2 marathon, but had some health issues and was advised not to.I had just been diagnosed with Celiac and my body was a little distressed. But, I got to run the 5k with Reid! I ran in honor of my cousin Zachary and in memory of his brother Jeremy, both who have/had Duchennes Muscular Dystrophy. I ran with a group call Run for our Sons, who supports those affected by MD. It was amazing. Just running in a race is great, but running for someone gives you an even greater push to get it done. It was a very emotional time. I ended up finishing 32 minutes pushing a stroller. The pictures below are a little out of order....Reid fell asleep 4 minutes before the start. I guess getting up at 3am was a little tiring. 

The finish

 Sunrise over Epcot

 Mile 2...traffic jam at all the photo ops...and no, this is not my time, I started last, about 30 minutes after the first runner left.

 The starting line

 Other Run for our Sons runners

 I need these running shoes!

 Dad and Mark came in for the race weekend. Mark ran the 1/2 marathon. I can not wait until next year to run the 5k and 1/2 with him! We had a blast goofy golfing. Reid was a natural!

Easter

The older kids were not in to an egg hunt so much this year. But Reid sure was! (and Chloe decided she wanted bangs, so she thought she would cut them without me noticing)

Rodeo and hair

The rodeo is kinda a big deal around here. And, back in February, Hana decided to be a part of it by having her hair cut in the middle of the arena and donating it, along with several other girls, to an organization that makes wigs for breast cancer patients. I was so proud of her!

Christmas 2011

Yes...Christmas. And, sadly, I think these are the only 2 photos that I took. I have a tendency to get caught up in the moment of enjoying a good time and never remember to take out my camera. But, I came across these and loved them too much not to post them.

Maddison's baptism

Wow, I never put up pictures of Maddie's baptism! Over a year ago!

Halloween 2011

I just realized looking through posts and pictures, I have a lot that is missing. I am not going to go through and post everything that has happened the past year or two, but I will post some things that I want to remember. Halloween 2011 was one of them.
This past Halloween was our families favorite by far. We decided to go to Disney's Halloween party, where the shut the park down in the afternoon and evening for special ticket holders only. There is unlimited trick-or-treating, rides with no lines, and amazing costumes. We decided that if we go, we should go all out. Mary Poppins style. I had so much fun getting our costumes together. The thrift stores were my bff during that time. And the kids loved it. Going through the park, I didn't see any other Mary's, or the rest of the crew for that matter. We had people stopping us asking for pictures, and got so many compliments. It was just so fun, for one night, to dress up and be someone else. Isn't that what Halloween is about anyway?

Gramma Vi

This sweet lady went "home" in the early hours this morning. A sweet relief amidst our sadness. No one ever thought, or wished, she would last this long. It is always hard to see loved ones suffer, and deteriorate into someone so unrecognizable.
So many memories came flooding back this morning from my childhood spent with Gramma Vi. More than this blog could ever hold. But, I will always cherish my time spent with her. For it was her kitchen in Wheaton, Il where I learned how to bake, wash dishes, and show love to my family through food.
Gramma was the epitome of a lady. I never saw her without her hair done, even in her last days. She was always dressed perfectly, never showed anger, never judged, always loved with every bit of her soul. If I could be half of what she was, I will be pleased.
A few months ago I was able to go to my fathers cabin and visit her one last time and say my goodbyes. Bitter sweet. I saw my childhood flash before my eyes when I was holding her hand. And, though she looked nothing like I was used to, she still was perfect. Skin just as beautiful as ever, hair curled just right, and her bottle of perfume by her hospital bed. She couldn't say much, but neither could I . It was in that moment of our eyes locking, saying we loved each other, we will see each other soon....I felt love. We knew. We didn't have to speak. Just the touch of her hand, and a kiss on the cheek, was all I needed. I can not wait for the day to see her again.

Feeling down?

With the kids arguing non stop, school taking every bit of time I have (even weekends now) and so much more....I have had this perpetual pity party in my head. But last night made every bit of this journey we are on worth it. Reid and I have a little routine at night...
Me  "I love you so so much"
Ried-"I love you so so much, all the way to the sky"
-"I love you so so much, all the way to the moon"
-"I love you so so much, all the way to the stars"
-"I love you so so much, all the way to the heavens"
and the I kiss his little head, twice, and head out the door. Last night, he stopped me at the door and said "I love you so so much, all the way to my surfboard and pirate flag" ...two things that he loves most right now. I would say that is a lot of love from a little (almost 3 year old) little boy.

Heard around the house

Reid talks non stop at home. Some days, things come out of his mouth and I am stunned that such a little boy can say so much. I love that we can have conversations. And, I love he is in the "remember?" stage, asking me if I remember an event that happened weeks, even months prior. Some of our fave Reider phrases....
"wanna see somethin awesome?" -followed by a cool trick of his...
"wanna hear something awesome? ....oops, I farted. Did you hear that?"
"booty shake" this follows everthing. Favorite color, booty shake yellow. What do you want to eat? Booty shake sandwich. And sometimes, when you least expect it, it will pop up.
"i have a secret for you. I love you. Booty shake"
Love this kid.

Reid was bored

I've skipped out on some posting. The usual, Halloween, Christmas, birthdays. Fill in later.
I guess Reid was getting bored and needed some action. Saturday afternoon he and the girls were playing when I heard a thud, small cry, and Maddie said he fell. So, he walked up to me on tears with his hand on his head. Thinking I'm going to see a big egg, he pulled his hand off and blood came gushing out. Head wounds bleed. A lot. And thus was no exception. Of all his head hits this was the worst. The split itself wasn't big, thankfully. He had hit it on the brick fireplace.
So, I cleaned him, and I, up, put a compress on it and he was off saying "it feels better". After several hours of dripping down his face I decided I should look closely. We cleaned it good, and it was deep, and wide open. So, off to the ER we went. I would have glued it myself but being on the face I didn't want to do a bad job and have it scar too bad. He did amazing. The cleaned and cleaned it, and he just said it didn't hurt. He sat so still and everyone was so impressed. I'm glad he is used to ER's and drs, makes it easier in me. He's all boy, keeps me on my toes, and I love it.