Santa Brunch

On December 2 we went to the Santa Brunch at Mt. Hawley with our good neighbors the Chengs. We arrived right on time and of course after getting our table we went to see Santa and get our picture taken, and tell him what we wanted for Christmas. Sydney wants an ipod touch and Julia would like a jumbo pillow pet. The day was nice and relaxing for the parents because the kids are old enough to go and watch the movie by themselves and we don't have to worry about them getting into to much trouble. Paul of course helped himself to 4 plates of food and makes the whole brunch thing worth it because the rest of us only have one plate. It was a nice relaxing meal and great photo opportunity. Here are some of the best ones.

Julia's 5th Birthday

Julia woke up to a table full of presents on her 5th Birthday. She was very excited to turn 5 and be a big girl. She had a playdate with her friends from preschool, Lilly W, Emily Arnold, and Ana Cheng. They enjoyed some donuts and then it was off to Ms. Angie's for her gymnastics class. After Gymnastics class we met daddy at McDonalds for lunch before going to Northminster for her Parent teacher conference. She of course got a good report. Then we headed home for about an hour before we picked up Sydney from school and went to Fired Up to paint some pottery. That is what the birthday girl wanted to do. We then went home to relax and had friends and family over for cake and ice cream. The Moons, Hannas, Chengs, Lynchs,Zellers and Grandpa and Margie came for a nice little get together. It was a really fun day and Julia is 5!

Vegas Baby!

Finally Harry is going to Vegas! TC turned 40 February 3rd of this year so we joined them in Vegas that weekend to celebrate. We arrived on Thursday afternoon and stayed at the Venetian! What a beautiful hotel with all the best of everything.
After some ramen at a asian restaurant we changed clothes to head down the strip. We found a bar in the Cosmopolitian hotel and camped there for a while trying all there fancy drinks on the menu for probably 13 dollars a pop but oh well TC only turns 40 once. Then we headed out to the Ice Bar with some of there friends and enjoyed our 20minutes with gloves and down coats that were provided. Just what people from Illinois want to do when they go someplace warmer on vacation, head to an ice bar made of ice and wear coats again. Anyway it was fun and you can only stay in there for so long sitting on ice seats, enough is enough. We headed back to the Cosmopolitian for more fancy drinks and then eventually home for bed around 3ish Vegas time after celebrating the early hours of TC's birthday.

Summer of swimming

Wow summer started with first dive in the pool and we haven't been able to come up for air til mid July! The girls were so happy to see there pool friends again at swim team. Sydney is on the swim team at Mt. Hawley Country Club and swims 5 days a week from 10-11. Julia is on pre-team and swims monday and wednesday from 12:00-12:30. With Tennis from 9-10 before swimming it makes for some long days at the pool some days. Sydney has also done a couple of soccer camps and tons of swim meets so it has kept us busy. The girls are loving summer and we have read 2 books together. The Hundred Dresses, a book I read about that every little girl should read, I found it a very interesting book and plan to read it every summer to them til they refuse, it will be interesting to see how there views and what they understand of the book changes. The next book we picked up was Tales of a fourth grade nothing by Judy Blume. This book made Sydney laugh out loud. We are going to the library to see if we can find another book in the series today. We went on a week long trip to Saugatuck, Michigan. That will be another post but it was lots of fun.

First and Only Snow

Well our first and only snow happened on a Friday this year and luckily Sydney had a half day so we could go enjoy it. I knew I was packing too much in with trying to sled after school but in hindsight of that being the only snow of the year I am sure glad I did. I bought Julia new boots that week because we were expecting 6 inches or so and she couldn't fit into any of Sydney's old ones.
We had a blast sledding at the hill over off Knoxville by where mom lives. The Cheng's joined us and the joy and smiles from the kids faces of pure enjoyment makes dealing with the cold worth it. I did realize I need warmer boots because my toes are cold as soon as I step out of the car.
Saturday we headed out to the farm to have dad pull us on the toboggan. We had never done this before and it was a blast. Sydney was laughing so hard and Julia enjoyed it too as long as no snow came flying in her face. We got thrown off several times and once Grandpa didn't notice we were gone for a while. Julia rode with us for a while but then choose to sit in the gator with Grandpa while Sydney and I rode the toboggan behind.
The snow rocks but that was it for this year. It was very strange this year and we have 70

degree weather now in April so we will see what the summer brings.

April 1st 2012

Well another Birthday has arrived and I am 38 years old this year. This means I have been a mom for almost 8 years, I have been a nurse for 16 years and I graduated from Peoria Notre Dame high school 20 years ago.
I has been a wild ride and I was treated like royalty this birthday. Harry and I went to St.Louis on Saturday the 31st for an over night. Kayleigh stayed with the girls and they had a very busy but fun weekend. Harry and I arrived and after washing the car and filling it up we took Sue's car out of the garage for a joy ride. We went to Mcqurk's for lunch and enjoyed the beautiful weather sitting out on the patio. We got back in the car, put the top down and heading out to the Galleria to do some birthday shopping. We found some new stuff for me at Banana Republic and Harry did an excellent job or waiting for me to try things on and help me find the right outfits! Next on the agenda was Plaza Frontenac to do some shopping there and we found some stuff at J Crew. We headed back to Sue's to change then walked to the Central West End for drinks and dinner. We enjoyed italian food at Bar Italia, then got some Fro yo (frozen yogurt), then found outside seating available at the Sub-zero Vodka bar and sat there the rest of the night enjoying vodka drinks. It was a wonderful way to celebrate my birthday.
Sunday we had coffee and walked the Central West End and headed home to see the girls. The entire afternoon was spent in the Cheng's back yard playing under the sprinkler and relaxing in the beautiful weather. I actually got sunburnt.
Dinner was Firehouse Pizza with Dad and Sarah joining us.
What a delightful day!

Christmas 2011

Merry Christmas! It wasn't a white Christmas this year but it was a nice Christmas. The actual holiday was on a Sunday this year so Sydney was done with school on the tuesday before and Julia didn't even have school the week before Christmas. It has been quite a minor winter this year and we still haven't gotten any snow(it is January 8th today). I didn't do all the baking that I normally do for christmas this year because I usually eat most of what I make so I was eliminating the temptation. I started working out at Club Fitness in November and am trying to get in better shape and shake this 20 lbs that gives me trouble. Anyway I made Caramel corn for the neighbors and delivered that the week before Christmas. Julia and I did enjoy a day with Deborah and George Hanna making some yummy cookies. It was fun and I hope we do it again next year.
The girls were so excited for Christmas this year and we went to Mt. Hawley with the Chengs to see santa and have brunch. It was a fun time. Julia got to the car and started to cry because Santa didn't give her the ballet slippers she asked for. We had to explain that Santa will bring stuff on christmas Eve not give it to her that day. Sydney asked for a battery operated car. The kids enjoyed watching the movie on the TV and talking to the vantriliquist and the parents enjoyed a nice lunch.
All of my Christmas shopping was done online this year and it was so much more relaxing than fighting the crowds at the store. When I tried to go out for just grocery shopping I got frustrated with the crowds so luckily I didn't need to find that special something for that special someone. Sydney had her Christmas sing at the beginning of december and sang the songs An angel came from heaven, Silent Night, Joy to the World, We wish you a Merry Christmas. It was a quick and fun evening. The lynch's sat with us and Jules and Will enjoyed watching the show.