Summer is Rolling Along

Here it is the end of June already!  How the weeks fly by when the weather is nice and we are busy enjoying it.  During the past couple of weeks, we made it to Wisconsin for our first family vacation of the season.  The weather was perfect, and we managed to miss some very hot temperatures in Illinois!

We had a great time, as always, and are looking forward to returning in July.  Missing the noise of the Heart of Illinois Fair in our backyard is much needed.

Since our return from vacation, Charlotte turned 18 months old.  What a big girl!  She's doing everything she can to keep up with Forrest and often is successful.  She brings such joy to our lives with her frequent smiles, slowly expanding vocabulary, and pleasant nature.  She is certainly more of a toddler now than a baby.  Milestones from the past six months include first haircut at 13 months (and another one since), walking at nearly 15 months, and wearing undies all day while at home - not potty trained, but practicing cheerfully.  

Ready for more summer fun and prepping for baby boy in early September!

No children!

A blog post with only a small mention of Forrest and Charlotte, oh my!

Over the past weekend, Joshua and I dropped our two little ones with Gigi, and we hopped a train to Chicago.  How exciting!  I was thinking of it as a final trip on our own before baby #3 arrives late this summer.  Those newborns do tie a parent down.  So, we took full advantage of my parents' generous help and enjoyed nearly three full days away.

What did we do with our time?  Well, what we always seem to do when we're out: walk around and eat things.  We enjoyed every minute!

Yes, it was nice to have some responsibility-free time, but of course, we were ready to be home when the time came.  We're now looking forward to enjoying our summer with lots of family time in Wisconsin.

An update soon on Charlotte at 18 months, Forrest at nearly five (as he keeps reminding me), and preparing for baby #3 to arrive.

Wisconsin Dells

We tried something new last week - stopping for longer than two hours in the Dells.  My parents and Team GU joined us at the Great Wolf Lodge for two days of swimming.  A good time was had by all.  We enjoyed the water park, the children slept well, and it was a nice change of pace from the usual routine.

 We loved this little pool.  I wish we could have one just like it in the backyard.  It was only 8 inches deep and had two sprayers.  It was delightful for young and old.

Joshua took a selfie in our new ride.  My first car, which Joshua has been driving, was totaled by a hail storm last fall.  That Cobalt served us well the last ten years, but it seemed an appropriate time to retire it.  Joshua now drives the Explorer, and the children and I are enjoying a new Town and Country van.  Wacky!  Getting a van has been long-discussed and will certainly be put to good use when baby three joins our family in September.  

Yes, it was a nice trip (ignoring the ride home during which Charlotte grouched a lot and I grouched a medium amount).  We'll look forward to going again sometime.  

Spring in Winter

We've been having temperatures in the fifties and sixties the past few days.  That's reason for celebration in February!  (I do need to figure out how to cover the tulips that are coming up, though.)  We've certainly been taking advantage with plenty of time spent outside.

We celebrated Will's baptism on Sunday.  You'll notice that Charlotte is wearing a pink dress, my first serious sewing project in a long time.  The fabric was a tablecloth from Grandma Norma's bridal shower.  Yes, a very sweet dress that has been worn twice already.

Today Charlotte turned 14 months old.  She is as cheerful as ever, ready to laugh, smile, and join in group fun.  She says Daddy, hi, Gigi, cheese, and this.  She's not walking yet but is getting braver about standing on her own with big grins.

Happy Birthday and Happy Christmas!

Maybe someday I'll be organized enough for Charlotte's birthday to have a post before Christmas?  Well, not this year.  Sorry, little girl!

We celebrated Letty Rose's special day with family and a lasagna lunch.  As expected, the weather did not cooperate, and about half of our guests couldn't make it.  It really was okay because giant birthday parties really aren't what one-year-olds love anyway.  Olive Garden made lasagna, and I made cupcakes.  Shaun and I have decided that catering is the way to go sometimes.  When the point is food, make fancy food.  When the point is to join in celebration, go for catering.  It's delicious and saves so much on the busyness that can distract from the enjoyment of the gathering.  The cupcakes I enjoyed making and decorating with edible rice paper butterflies from England.  They were beautiful! Yes, the day was enjoyed.

Happy birthday, Charlotte Rose!

After the party, it was right on to planning Christmas, which was at our house this year.  We, of course, celebrated Christmas Eve near Atkinson.  No planning there, thanks to the aunts.  Christmas day we hosted the grandparents, Mom and Dad, Kati and Ryan, Shaun, Bill, and Will.  Shaun and I made beef tenderloin, baked potatoes, rolls, green bean casserole (fancy version, delicious!), with pumpkin pie and raspberry cake for dessert.  I was quite pleased with the cake, which was made for Dad's birthday.  (Good intentions were interrupted by a birth last year.)

Forrest was excited for his gifts, and as always, Charlotte was excited for whatever Forrest was doing.  The highlights for Forrest this year were a USA floor puzzle, "pillow with handles," 3M wall mounting stickies, and countries of the world 100 piece puzzle.  The kiddo is into geography right now, seriously into it.  

Thanks, Shaun, for the Christmas pajamas!

Christmas card photo taken back in November.

11 Months

We're closing in on one-year-old, and we're loving life.  It's been a beautiful fall with lots of lovely weather and activities with Charlotte and Forrest.  Here's what she's been up to.

Yes, our little Letty Rose is as charming as ever and busy as can be.  She loves spending time near Forrest and is on the go.  No longer is she content to be held when there is something that needs to be investigated.  She's also not so interested in two naps each day.  Are we moving to one-nap-a-day already!?  (Forrest did at 11 months.)  She still enjoys meal times; her favorite foods haven't changed, but she does continue to add new foods to her menu, like apple cores, crunchy Cheerios, and prunes.

We love our little girl and are happily planning a sweet butterfly-themed birthday party in a month!  Hard to believe!

Happy Halloween!

Forrest was ready for Halloween this year.  He vowed to "make it all the way to Northmoor!"  He would have, too, if it wasn't bedtime.  Yes, he trick-or-treated for a long time and was so excited to see all the candy.  This year, he decided to be the alphabet.  Love that little boy!