Where has the time gone?

In my last post, I was preparing for a vacation...I feel like that was yesterday! Indeed it was not yesterday, more like 3 1/2 months ago. Here's a run down of the summer! I so wanted to stay on top of blogging!

Vacation to Duck North Carolina was such a fun vacation! My whole family  went and stayed in a beach house just a few blocks from the beach. Mom and I rented tandum bicycles for us and the big girls for a day. We really enjoyed that and will do it for longer next year. We discovered "crabbing"...that is a definate MUST for next year. It was so fun for all of us, even the kiddos! Weather was great, a few hot days and a couple cooler ones...a great blend! I so enjoy these family trips and look forward to new traditions!


We spent most days at the pool and made some new friends! Clara, Aviana and their mom, Winnie became or pool playmates. The girls really enjoyed playing together and I enjoyed some adult conversation and have a developed a new friend! We miss hanging out with them and plan to have some play dates and fun outings with them now that pool season is over!

We have welcomed little Rylee into our extended family! She is so precious and we are so blessed that God has chosen our family to be a part of her little life!

Ashley and I pulled of not only a smashing party for my sister's 30th b-day, but we surprised her!! It was not easy, but we did it!!

We enjoyed a trip to Kings Island with visiting family from Florida!

Natalie decided it was time for her ears to be pierced, and so it was! She did great!

We  celebrated our Independance Day with my sister's family at her annual firework party!

I watched my sister throughout the enitre summer carry her third baby. Getting more and more miserable almost daily, but it all came to an end on August 13th , when baby Cooper Isaac blessed our lives. He was born after a long day at 8:46 pm. This little guy is so amazing! I can't wait to watch him grow up...and deal with the three girls who have paved the way before him. Little man, you are in for a rea treat!

I took Natalie to Chicago for a little get-a-way and pre birthday celebration. We had an amazing time. American Girl place was first on our stop. We shopped, had her doll's ears pierced, and had a nice lunch at the cafe! This is such a fun thing to do with little girls! We visited Navy pier 2 times...way fun! Natalie convinced me to ride the ferris wheel. I never would have done it, if she didn't talk me into it, but it was really cool. Lincoln park zoo was really neat, despite the extreme heat. It was a fabulous time!!

I owe a birthday post to my baby! She turned 5 on August 30th and started school he same day! It has been quite the adjustment for both of us, but she is enjoying school and the fact that she is a kindergartener. 

So here we are. Septemeber 16th. It is just 2 days until my 33rd birthday. I'm ready to make some changes. I have already made a few, and I have a confidence I am making a turn on to new and fun things in my life!

In hopes that I will re-gain committment to my blog!!
Check out my shutterfly in a few days for all the latest pics!

Vacation Preparation

AHHHHHH! I am leaving for vacation in about 13 hours! I am so ready mentally for some fun in the sun, but I have been so busy tying up loose ends to go this trip to the beach, that I have yet to pack! This has been such a busy week, starting with Nat's last day if school on Tuesday. I went in her class to help with the pizza party, then took Nat and Gracie (and Shiloh too) to the cupcake place to celebrate. My sister and I transferred children and off to work I went. Wednesday was Nat's class field trip to the zoo follwed by a few hours at work getting a few clients in. Thursday (today) I ran errands for things needed at the salon while I was gone, beautified a few clients, came home to get us ready for PRESCHOOL graduation!!! That was so sweet and very entertaining. I'll blog on that later- this is just a run down of where my week has gone and what a hot mess I am at 11:28pm Thursday evening. So here I sit with clothes and essentials spread out, lists made, laundry in the process, piles of things to decide "take or leave behind?", still a few errands to run and my eyelids so very heavy.
I am really looking forward to my vacation, but I must finish preparing now...13 hours and I can relax.

We welcome you summer

After church on Sunday, Nat and I headed to the pool! We had a great day, she was in the pool nearly all day! We even ate our dinner there thanks to the provided grills. She made some friends, hopefully playmates throughout the summer. It was a wonderful day, and we are so excited to enjoy the rest of the summer! As I write this, Nats is still sleeping- I must go wake her for her first day of soccer. After her coversation with aunt Ne Ne about soccer, my next post could be interesting.

P.S. Either I am getting old or the sun is getting stronger. My skin is a shade of red and it's a little tender.