9 months old!

7/24/09

Nine months old today! She's growing so fast that it makes me afraid to blink my eyes. She has two more teeth now for a total of six. She is super smart and loves to play and laugh and be involved in everything...aka "nosey"! I think that she will be crawling soon. She is definitely the little boss lady of the house and is quickly realizing it. Jasper is her pal, they are so cute together. Lots of belly laughs and babble...a continued blessing.

Weekend Up North

MVP by the good ol' Mackinac Bridge.

PHS Class of '89...20 years later.

Our niece, Anna...pitcher extraordinaire!

What a wonderful "up north weekend" we have had! We headed to northern Michigan on Friday to attend my 20 year high school reunion at Aloha State Park on Saturday. I never understood why "grown-ups" would yammer on about how time flies. But guess what? It's true! Unreal that it has been 20 years since high school. I couldn't get out of my hometown fast enough when I was 19 years old and now I wish I could get back to visit more often. It was so wonderful to see my classmates that were able to make it this weekend and those who were not present really missed out! It was a lot of fun to see everyone's children running around...small versions of ourselves. A big huge thanks to Tim Hansen and Tracy (O'Neal) Bouren for planning the whole thing! On Sunday we just kind of relaxed with my family and took Margaux to Mackinaw City to snap a few pics by the bridge and have pasties for dinner...love that Mackinaw Pastie & Cookie Company!!! Today we were headed back to Chicago but took a detour to Traverse City to spend the night with Kim & family. We went to Anna's softball game and watched them win! Good job Anna!!!

4th of July & Old Friends

MHS 86-ers: Becky, Patrick & Kelli with Seamus, Margaux & James

She was a very serious little parade watcher!

All decked out in her festive wear!

Miss Audrey hanging out curbside!

Auntie Bex & MVP waiting for the fireworks to begin.

July 4th already and it hasn't truly felt like summer yet...crazy weather this season! I always get very nostalgic for the 4th of July memories of my youth...being in Mackinaw City watching the fireworks by the water while eating carmelcorn and a pastie and seeing tons of people I know. The later years were spent with my Arnold Line crew and summer friends tipping back a few beers and watching from the end of the State Dock. *sigh* Good times! Anyway, this year was of course MVP's first 4th and this made things fun for us. We awoke to yet another gray and drizzly day, but we still headed out to the Glen Ellyn 4th of July parade to meet up with Kelli and Becky. Becky was here from NYC and we got to meet her super-cute little boy, Seamus, who happens to be a big fan of parades! It's always nice to see Kelli & Hugh and their adorable James & Audrey as well. We headed home for a nice nap after the parade and then met up with Bex & Dale in Oak Park for the village fireworks. It was a pretty sweet little display and Dale took many pictures that I am sure turned out fabulous! We took Jasper with us because we wanted to include him in the festivities, he did PRETTY well, but I think that being so close to where the fireworks were being shot off was a bit too much stimulation for him. Hope you all had a fun holiday!