Beauty and the Beast

Sunday, I took Maggie and my mom to the city to see the Broadway Play of Disney's Beauty and the Beast.  I figured this would be the perfect first play to take Maggie to because she would be able to follow the story line and she absolutely loves the movie.  It was a rough start...we needed a bathroom and most places you have to get something or pay in order to use the bathroom...but after that was taken care of and we found a place to eat lunch the day was smooth sailing.  Maggie knew what was coming throughout the acts and was kind of scared of the beast, but thought he was kind of funny too. 

Happy 4th of July!

The 4th was a perfect day this year, bright sunshine and warm temperatures.  We started the day, as we have the past few years and as a family headed to the Yorkville parade.  We were joined by our best friends, the Ensigns.  Maggie and Lucas were prepared with their bags for lots of parade candy...the found their spot and waited patiently.  Meanwhile, Layla and Molly just soaked it all in, they both sat pretty content for the whole time...the Jimmy John sandwiches that were handed out came at just the right time for a snack and was just enough to hold everyone over before lunch.  We had to tell Maggie to take a break from waving, she literally waved the whole time.  The kids filled their bags with candy, popsicles, a frisbee, a necklace and more.  Maggie handed me all the brochures and papers, she wanted nothing to do with that.  We headed home for lunch, a break from the sun and a rest time.  Andy took care of getting the house ready outside while I finished up on some salads and snacks for the afternoon party.  It was our usual crowd with a few additions...Nana and Papa, Shay, Derrick and baby Grace, Chrissy, Dave, Layla and Lucas and some neighbors stopped by for a bit.  We grilled, pulled out the slip and slide, Maggie and Lucas did some popits in the front.  Dave had picked up some bottle rockets so Andy, Dave and Derrick had their fill with those.  Maggie and Lucas did a sparkler show for us and we had a tasty (as always thanks to Chrissy) dessert. 

I think we made at least an hour longer this year with Maggie and Molly being older.  Molly went to bed, Maggie took a bath and stayed up with Andy and I to enjoy the fireworks that we can...Oswego, Yorkville and our neighbors pretty spectacular display!  Success and a really happy fourth!

Sleep Over

On Thursday Maggie invited Lucas over for a sleepover.  After dance class we went and picked up Lucas.  Maggie and Lucas made homemade pizza for dinner.  After dinner Andy took them up to the pool for a swim.  When they returned they rinsed off really quick, changed into their pjs and then settled in for a movie...their choice...Gnomeo and Juliet.  They went straight to bed to our surprise.  There was a 3 am wake up by Maggie letting me know that Lucas need to go to the bathroom, but that was it...pretty noneventful.  We had pancakes in the morning, went to the park, had Happy Meals for lunch and then went back to the pool, but this time with Molly, Chrissy and Layla.  It was a short visit to the pool because Friday turned out to be actually a bit chilly, not at all the 107 heat index that was expected.  At lunch Maggie and Lucas were already planning their next sleepover.  We don't get to see Chrissy and Lucas and Layla as much as we wish, but Maggie and Lucas certainly pick up right where they left off.

Father's Day 2011

Last year with Molly being just barely two months old we didn't make the trip up to Cresco for Father's Day so we knew we needed to go this year.  We made a pitstop in Galena to break up the trip and arrived in Iowa Friday morning.  We were the first to arrive so Grandma could slowly get accustomed to the "commotion" as she calls it.  Later on my mom, Shay, Drock and baby Grace made it.  Andy and Derrick were quickly off to play a quick round of golf.Just before dinner Eric, Julie, Jack and Sam had arrived...the only one left was my dad, but he had to work on Saturday and couldn't come up until later.  We had a great time catching up and Maggie was so excited to be with her cousin that we don't get to see so much.  Saturday was golfing day for the boys, I think that managed to play something like 36 holes of golf, Andy loved every minute of it.  The girls tried to keep the kids occupied with visits to the park, the train, a pool in Grandma's front yard and the basement.  We were joined on Saturday by my cousin Sally, and my cousin's wife Lexi and their new baby Jakob.  Again we had some time to catch up and not before long it was time to head up to Grandpa's for pizza night.  Andy and Derrick did the pizza making while all the family visited and ate up.  It was an awesome trip and so special to have everyone in the same place!

Memorial Day Weekend

As tradition would have it my family headed to Indiana for the Indianapolis 500 this year.  I stayed behind with the girls while Andy tagged along with Shay, Derrick, baby Grace, my mom and dad.  They all had a great time and it was quite an exciting race.  We managed to occupy ourselves for the weekend although the weather wasn't the greatest.  Finally by the time Andy arrived home on Monday there was blew skies and sunshine.  The girls played in little pool for awhile after lunch...we pretty much and to force them inside to take a break from the sun.  Just a few more days before the school year ends.  We are looking forward to a summer full of outdoor fun!

Molly Walks

Molly walking has been a slow process but we have finally reached the milestone.  At first she wanted nothing to do with it, then it was standing on her own...which turned into four steps...which turned into ten steps and then overnight it seems she started doing laps around the house!!

Mother's Day

For Mother's Day this year we headed over to my parents house for an early lunch.  It was nice to visit and it was a beautiful day.  Then it was off to the Voller's where all of Andy's siblings were meeting up to have a little gathering on the Voller side.  The cousins had a blast blowing bubbles and running around the backyard.