WE LOVE DAD

Happy Father's Day to the world's greatest dad. Brett we love you so much! You are such an amazing father. I'm pretty sure our children think so too.  Just like the song says....I'm so glad when daddy comes home. Glad as I can be.  We LOVE you!!!!

Mini High School reunion and Lake Erie!

OK, so they are not in order but I had a fun quick trip to Michigan!  I was lucky to be able to see quite a few of my friends from high school and meet their children and a few spouses who just so happened to also go to school with us.  It was really hot outside but the kids still had a blast and a gift to us moms..tired kiddos.  I love that I haven't seen some of these more than a handful of times in 15 years and we can still get together and it feels like only yesterday.  I just hope the next time we get together it  wont be 15 years!

Since it was so hot we decided it would be fun to go to a Lake..you know there are a few of them in Michigan. A close one is Lake Erie. It's not the prettiest but it still was fun.  The best part was that you could walk out far and it isn't deep. Giselle and Jacob even felt like a big kid..even if I had to pull Giselle out a few times because she thought she could jump and swim...silly girl!
Baby Wyatt got in the action for only a photo op but he was rockin some cute swim trunks.
Thanks for a fun mid week getaway!!!

Free Museum Day in Chicago!

The museums here in Chicago are really nice but pretty pricey. So it is a GREAT idea to head over when they offer free days for Illinois residents.  We were lucky to go with some friends from church which makes it even more fun.
We went to this museum before with Brett's parents but it was at Christmas time and it was SO crowded and so many lines that it wasn't as much fun.  This time there were no lines and so much more relaxing.  We were able to see so much more but I have to say there is still so much to see. Since it was free we didn't feel like we had to stress and jam as much in as we could.
We brought our lunch which made it even a better deal.
We were also lucky to see a bunch of baby chicks hatching.  The kids were very fascinated with it. I think the mom's were also pretty fascinated. It's amazing how long it takes those poor babies to get out of that shell.
The trains were of course a HUGE hit as well as the idea room.  The big girls really liked the Internet room. Learning about how it started and how much has improved.  They also were able to see a few experiments and even a big burst of flames.
Love free days and hope to try some more places out!

Jolie's 1st Art Class!

Jolie  has 3 big loves: Fashion, art, and teaching.  She decided to put all 3 to work. She made flyer's and passed them out to a few neighbors and waited to see if anyone would be interested in an art class taught by Jolie.  She was super excited to find out 3 neighbor kids and 3 siblings wanted to come.  She prepared her lesson and got all of her supplies.  They did self portraits for the first class. It was a whole hour and she loved every minute.  The pictures were great and we finished with a snack. I think Jolie is doing such an amazing job at practicing her talent. Way to go Jolie!

p.s. nothing is wrong with Jacob's eye he is just doing a weird blink here!

Jillian's rocking birthday party part II.

The kids are getting instructions and Jillian is suited up and ready to go!

 Look at how high up she is. WOW!

            Jillian's friend Dillon from church!

 Jillian's friend Montana...another friend from church.

 She was a pro..Montana on her way up to the top..oh yes she made it to the top.

 Genevieve did great. She was a little nervous but she really loved the rope that made sure she didn't fall. That was her favorite part..the coming down part!

 This is Coco...Montana's little sister and good friend of ours.

 Montana...WAY up there!

 Coco on her way up. She also made it to the top!~

 This is sweet little Genevieve..yup another Genevieve crazy huh. She goes rock climbing with her dad all the time she came with her own gear. Can you believe it..this cute little thing. She was such a trooper!

 Jillian still having fun climbing those walls. She loved every minute of it!

 Jacob wasn't going to be allowed to do it at first because he's 4 and usually they only allow 5 and older but they let him as long as one of us stayed with him the whole time.  He was SOOO excited.

         He did great and wasn't scared at all!

 He usually made it about half way up and then loved to let go and fly down!

 This is Tessa, Jillian's friend from school.

 Waiting their turn with one of the amazing staff that helped at the party!

 Jolie and Tessa...they are on 2 of the 3 hardest courses. Jolie had so much fun and keeps asking when she can go again.

 She made it to the top of many courses and was surprised her arms were sore as well!

 Jacob and Coco waiting their turn.

 Jillian "flying" down!

 There is Jolie at the top of the 2nd hardest course.

 Giselle spent most of her time in the bounce house...or sneaking treats from the table. She was having a blast.

 This is Jillian's good buddy Jacob he goes to school with Jillian.

 Everyone is singing Happy Birthday to Jillian.

 Yay she blew them all out......Wait...

 They came back  on...oh that tricky mommy...even if she didn't mean to get the tricky candles!

The rock climbing was a HUGE hit. ALL the kids loved it.  Jillian was so excited to do this and then on top of it to go first.  She had no fear..this is the girl that climbs to the tippy top of trees so no real surprise here!  She was surprised that her arms and legs were a little tired at the end though!
Everyone had a great time and went home nice and tired.  I hope Jillian was able to feel special because we think she is one special girl.
She has the biggest heart and the biggest smile...even though she is rather petite!
She has grown so much this past year.  She is reading tons of books. Right now she likes A to Z mysteries and is starting the first Harry Potter!
She LOVES playing with her big sisters but is a great big sister to Jacob and Giselle.  Jacob especially loves when Jillian plays outside with him.
She is really good at putting outfits together and can do a ponytail better than all of her sisters.
She loves to bring scriptures to church and bear her testimony in church.
We love this beautiful girl and are so blessed to call her our daughter!