The "Wedding of the Century"

The last weekend in September we had a super fancy fun wedding weekend in Chicago. It was a college-friend 'reunion' of sorts for Brad and a great time away for just the two of us. The festivities kicked off with a cocktail welcome reception at Millenium Park in downtown Chicago. Then Saturday the wedding ceremony was in the 'burbs followed by a gala-event at the Ritz-Carlton downtown again. It was beautiful and fun and relaxing and just a great time over-all. There's nothing like time away from the kids and 'alone' with your husband and 30+ of your friends to rekindle the romance in your own marriage. Friday night at the welcome party. The gorgeous city behind us!

Our 'crazy' friends Luke & Janine

Good friend Sara and I 'post-bash' Friday night

Saturday afternoon, checking out our awesome view and room at the Ritz before whisking away downstairs to start the festivites! Brad checking his crackberry for sports scores or something no doubt. Notice he is without his suit jacket. My man is definitely not comfortable dressing up.

I, on the otherhand, had so much fun getting all fancy and having my hair done. Nothing like having a prom flash-back at the age of 30-something.

Our spectacular view from Room 2433

Self-taken photo..never that great.

Our gorgeous table at the reception. This picture does not even do it justice. Everything was gold and glittery; just beautiful!

Brad and some of his boyz. Husband, again, where is your coat??

Still going strong at 3:00 a.m. Chi-town time. Wow!

It's all fun and games...

...Until you watch as a 60 mph gust of wind during a thunderstorm picks up your tramp and tosses it like a paper bag into the middle of your pond.

At least it was fun for the 5.5 months that we had it! Guess we'll see if Brad can save it from becoming a fish sanctuary. To be continued...

93

Happy Belated 93rd Birthday to my Grandma Huizinga. ( a.k.a. Grandma Connie or Silly Grandma- as RG calls her)

This little whippersnapper of a lady has had a long amazing life and we're so grateful to have her as part of our legacy. 10 grandkids and 17 (soon to be 19!) great grandkids and counting. What a blessing!

Ouch

I now have a swipe (frequent flyer) card for my two eldest children at the local Urgent Care. Love that it is all of 39 seconds from my front door for times when blood and stitches are involved.
Poor RG had a collision with a plastic machine (dart) gun while riding on her scooter. That was fun to explain to the attending doctor. Yep, that's how we roll here in good ole' B.C.

Three stitches and an M&M flurry later and she was good to go. Don't worry about the fact that it was picture day at school the very next day~ :)

Meany

I am posting this because (I) we are going through a particularly frustrating stage with our middle child and- quite simply- I'd like to have documentation and therefore can prove to her someday that, "yes", you really were that dramatic and wretched at times. I love you Syd as fiercely as any mama bear does her cubs but there are also times that I just don't like your behavior. AT. ALL.
This particular night was one of those times. (Although I did giggle the whole time I was snapping away with my camera. A mom needs some comic relief once in awhile, right?!)
This particular night I had made my 'famous' turkey/spinach lasagna. Revolting right? Still can't believe we even made her try it. Such a mean mom I am

If you need to click to zoom in on the fly-spec piece I was force-feeding her, you will probably agree that I am a HORRIBLY mean mom.

Oh just eat it Syd and then you can have your dessert for crying out loud...you'll thank me someday you know. ;)

Mollsie- 10 months

Has 1.5 chompers (bottom row)

Has now mastered:

Pulling up, Crawling on feet (like a monkey),Climbing up stairs, Manuevering around furniture, Getting into drawers, Getting into cupboards, Getting into EVERYTHING!

Always smiling, smiling, smiling, giggling, screeching, laughing, babbling.

Waves Bye-bye & Hi

LOVES when her Daddy walks in the door from work.

L-O-V-E-S to eat 'big people' food and is definitely my best eater.

Is slowly losing interest in nursing. BUT I DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT!!

:(

My baby is not such a 'baby' anymore.

STOP

STOP

STOP

STOP

GROWING!!

First Day

3:30 p.m. sharp: Mom is at the bus stop with camera and two mini kids in tow anxiously awaiting Thing #1's return from school. Mom is sure that #1 is SO excited to share all about school while we sit at the kitchen table and dunk Double Stuf Oreos into icy cold milk.
3:46 p.m.: Bus pulls up and kids spill off. Mom does not get the much anticipated photo of #1's first day coming off the bus since Thing #2 was yelling at her and Thing #3 was pulling at her leg at that exact moment. Thing #1 runs right past her with her neighborhood friends.
3:47 p.m.: Mom takes a moment to say hello and confirm bus stop location with the busdriver (along with other neighborhood moms) and when she turns around to squeeze her kindergartener, she is gone.
3:48 p.m.: Thing #2 informs Mom that Thing #1 ran to the neighbors to play.
3:49 p.m.: Mom goes back into the house with Thing #2 & #3 and puts away cookies and milk.
4:15 p.m.: Thing #1 crashes into the house w/ book bag, throws it on the living room floor, pulls out a crinkled art project, holds it up for 2.5 seconds saying; "This is what we made today 'cause we read a book about a puppy, we had recess three times!, can I have a Go-Gurt and go back to Avery's?"
4:17 p.m. Thing #1 is back out the door, leaving Mom blinking and wondering if that really just happened.

So I guess this means that Day 1 at the new school went well?

New Year, New School(s), Big Stuff

My two older girls...growing up and going out on their own! This beginning is bringing us into the territory of two new & different schools and I am excited, anxious and nervous all in one. As I write this, it is late and our first day is through. Whew! What chaos and emotions we experienced here in a mere 24 hours and yet I feel much peace about this new beginning for all of us. I've already seen God work (mostly in me) these last few months as we have prayed about our decision for schools this Fall and I am now nothing short of expectant that He will continue the work that he has set forth in our family with this year-to-come. What a great day and hopefully the start of a great year! 3 bags packed and ready the night before (Molly V was off to Nana's care for a bit)

Kindergarten, Really? Say it isn't so!

Oh yes, it's so.

Three-school! Yes please! Mama is very happy. I love you Thing Two, but you need time with others~it will be good for us both.

Enough pictures, Mom, really, it's not even 8:00 yet

My little Bean.

The ONLY girl in her preschool class. I have to just believe that this is a big God-plan somehow and it makes me chuckle.

She settled in right away ~ big girl!

Mrs. Phillips and RG. You are the woman I've prayed for all summer. 52 (combined) Kindergarteners! I will continue my prayers all year for you, dear woman.

RG and her locker. Only one of many exciting firsts on her big day~