Inaugural Ride on Gigi and Papa's Boat: A Photo Essay

Gigi and Papa (aka Cort's parents) recently bought a new fishing boat and invited us as they took their inaugural ride out.  We picked Mia up after summer camp and met them in Wilmington to take it for a spin on the Kankakee River. 

Driving there it looked like this-I knew it was going to be a good day! :)

Self-Portrait

Once we got on 55,

It looked like this

and our spedometer looked like this

But we were there soon enough and quickly got on the boat, broke out the snacks, and got ready to go for a ride

Gigi was patient and answered Mia's endless questions

Papa was at the wheel and we enjoyed a peaceful ride

Cort and Cole

Mia driving the boat

Then we sped it up-Cole though this was hilarious and couldn't stop laughing

Mia was at the wheel at this point-look at that face!

Having a blast!

Cole ate his way through much of our time on the boat

And hung out with Papa

After spending a good amount of time on the water, we docked.  Mia kept asking Papa when they were going to fish since we had told her that the boat was a fishing boat.  After badgering Papa (and Papa being so nice!), Papa pulled out a pole and they did a little fishing. 

Cole did what Cole does, which is run around like a mad man. :)

Then relaxed with Cort for awhile

And the highlight of the day???  After casting and reeling in many times Mia (cough, cough Papa) caught a fish!!  It was very, very exciting

Mia reeling in the line

Wait!  There's something on the other end

Look what we got!

I want to touch it!

So proud!!

Mia's fish

Cole wanted to see him too and called him Nemo (he is as obsessed with Nemo as Mia was)

Mia giving him one last touch.  Right after he was thrown back Mia got upset.  Not because we threw him back, but because she wasn't the one who got to throw him back in.  :)  We promised her the next fish she caught she could throw in. :)

Thanks Gigi and Papa for a great time and great memories!  We had a blast and can't wait to do it again!

Meeting Mickey

About 2 weeks ago we headed over to the Bolingbrook Promenade for a chance to meet Mickey Mouse.  This was a little preview for the kids seeing that we will be going to Disneyland later this summer-yay!!  Anyhow, despite getting there about an hour early (I had picked up Wendy's and had just planned on finding a spot to eat with the kids), there was already a line.  So we hopped into the line and ate our Wendy's as we waited.  Jen and Mike joined us a short while later with their kids and we waited, and waited and waited some more  :)  I would say it was worth the wait for Mia, but Cole wasn't quite as sure.  He was excited to see Mickey from a distance, but was not as excited to be right next to him. :)

Enjoying her frosty!

 Yum!

 Passing the time by practicing jumping

 The line ahead of us (behind us was WAY longer)

 Cole checking out Mickey on the sign

 

And passing the time playing with the construction cones

 Once it was time for Mickey, I came to the quick realization that I would also be in the picture if I wanted both kids in it as well. :)  Don't they look thrilled?

 Excited for Mickey!

 Jen and her kids

Pam's Bachelorette Weekend

As I write this post, I am gearing up for Pam and Ryan's wedding extravaganza and can hardly wait for their wedding and the celebration afterwards.  However, there of course was some preliminary celebrating with Pam's Bachelorette weekend.  A group of 12 girls headed up to Galena for a weekend of fun, relaxation, and many, many laughs and good times.  We rented a beautiful 6-bedroom house and went on a fun wine tour of the Galena area courtesy of Iowa Wine Tours.  The rest of the time was spent back at the house, hot tubbing, eating, and celebrating Pam.  Here are some pics of the weekend.

Getting ready to go-Rebecca and Pam with A LOT of stuff

Packing up Venessa's minivan (which she was so nice to drive us in!!)

The beautiful house

The view from the deck

Pam posing before the wine tour

At Galena Cellars

HS buddies!

At Rocky Waters Winery-this place was AMAZING!

My little Pampers :)

Out in the Vineyard

The bachelorette with some wine and cheese

Our whole group out in the vineyard

And in front of our bus, flashing our light-up bling rings

The table set for a nice dinner

Our on the deck

All of us again

Dinner!

Practice Pics

I was practicing some pictures of Mia with a new background and fake floor and even though she is looking a little disheveled, I still thought she looked pretty cute.  I want to use this set-up for Cole, ut figured I would practice with her first to see how it looked since she is a much more willing subject. :)

Claire's 2nd Birthday

I cannot believe it, but my niece Claire just turned 2. What makes it scarier is that Cole is not far behind-aahhhh!!  They are growing up too fast! :)  Claire's party was Wiggles-themed and super-cute!

Mia being silly with her hat

Cole in the middle of the action-check out the look he is giving me

(thanks Jen for this pic and the next one!)

Cole was loving the balloons!

Love this of Claire-so cute!

Mia having a blast playing balloons with Grandma and Papa B.

The Cake

The Bday Girl

Cousins enjoying cake outside

(I love that Cole isn't even taking a break for the picture, he is just digging right in)

An arial view :)

Happy Birthday Claire!

Baskin Robbins $0.31 Scoop Night!

Last week we hit up Baskin Robbins for their $0.31 Scoop Night.  We got there and it wasn't too crowded,  but within minutes there was a line out the door.  :)  However, we got our scoops, found a table and the kids couldn't be happier (and me too!)

Cole really enjoying his ice cream

Mia holding up her 2nd scoop

Samantha's Bday Party

The same day that we had everyone over to meet Braiden, Mia also had Samantha's birthday party at Petland.  This had to be the coolest bday party ever and we are seriously considering doing the kids' bday party there this summer.  Also, kudos to Andy and Shannon for having 20 little girls there-wow!  It started with the kids getting tour of all the aquatic animals/tanks, even getting to touch some of the creatures.

Mia learning about a horseshoe crab

And brave enough to touch it

Wasn't so sure about the frog that Sarah was brave enough to hold, but she did end up touching it

We then went to the party room where Sam blew out her candles and the kids enjoyed some yummy treats.

And then the BEST part-Sam got to pick out the animals she wanted to have brought out and the kids got to sit in a circle and hold/pet them.  As a kid, my dad and I used to go to Petland and take out the different puppies, even though we knew we wouldn't be bringing any home (allergies in the fam).  This totally reminded me of that.  The kids were sooooo excited and the animals were very good with them.

Sam with one of her picks

Stephanie and Mia proudly holding one of the puppies

I love how happy she looks here

There were tons of squeals when he walked in!

They even got to hold a bird

This one cracks me up!!!

It really was a great party-thanks to Sammy for inviting Mia!  Maybe we will be seeing you there again sometime in July/August! :)