Forgot one

This was my favorite pic I took in Galena and I forget to add it below. I love old barns and I thought this one looked so pretty at sunset.

Happy Anniversary!!

My sister and I took these photos today of my parents on their 33rd wedding annivesary...and as you can tell they are still so in love. Congrats you two, here's to many more years together!!

Galena, IL

We had such a good time on our vacation!! Galena is an absolutely beautiful area. We drove almost six hours of nothing but corn and bean fields, and then here is this beautiful little town with rolling hills and breathtaking views that reminded me of Washington. And the weather was so great, a lot cooler and less humid then Edwardsville. We stayed at an awesome resort and spa and even got our own little house. The kids were most impressed that there was TWO pools, and they were so excited to get to go swimming every day. Since Wade and his dad work for the same company, Wade's dad and mom were there too and it was so nice to have someone there to help me watch the kids. I was also so proud of my hubby for achieving Rookie of the Year!! He's had an awesome first year and really enjoys his job. Gracie was so proud of daddy and couldn't stop touching his award. We spent each day eating great food, swimming, scoping at the awesome shops downtown and just enjoying the great weather. We took the kids to an alpine slide and they both loved it and were excited to then get to ride the swings back up. We were so bummed when the vacation was over that we added another day. We drove halfway back on Wednesday and stayed at Fun City. I don't know how we found this place, but the kids were in heaven. The hotel had an indoor pool, slides, and an outdoor water park. The loved getting to swim some more. Inside the hotel was also an arcade with endless games. We let the kids stay up late swimming and playing games. On our way home the next day poor Charlie threw up all over the car. I think he had too much excitement. It really was a great vacation and so nice to spend time with eachother. I took so many photos...here are all my favorites!

Vacation!!

We are off to Galena (northern Illinois) for Wade's work conference. The kids are excited just to get to swim everyday in a pool! I can't wait to relax and spend time with the fam...i'm sure they'll be lots of pics when we get back!

My pirate

Gracie and Charlie have been taking baths together since Charlie was born. Only once has their "differences" ever come up. I knew it would eventually. Tuesday we went to visit my sister and parents and swim in her pool. Afterwards the kids were cold and wanted to get into a nice warm bath. Then Gracie asked me why Charlie's vagina looks different. I told her that he has a penis and she has a vagina. Boys and girls have different parts down there, but we call them all "privates." Gracie was satisfied with that answer, phew, but Charlie looked a little confused. When he got out of the bath he ran naked to my mom pointing to his privates saying, "my pirate..arrr!!" I'm going to have some explaining to do when he gets older and figures out that is not his "pirate." Oh the joys of motherhood right?? :)

B-day Party

On Sunday we went to a friends 30th birthday party. It was a perfect day, high 80's and no humidity. Gracie had so much fun playing in the lake and Charlie loved just running around. It was a relaxing day, I live for these kind of days! Gracie wanted to fish so bad, so pappa helped her out. Gracie and her friend Hailey. We've known them since Gracie was born. I found a cute picture of them when they first met on fourth of July when Gracie was 10 months old. How cute! Charlie man looking as cute as ever! He found this rock and pretended he was on a boat, this kid has such an imagination! I just love this picture of Charlie and Pappa Chuck. These two are such good buddies.

Gracie loved jumping off of the big water trampoline Charlie and his Gigi The whole gang Charlie thought it was so cool to find this butterfly, he got as close as he could before it flew off. I thought this was a cute picture of the kids playing by the water

Fun, Fun!!

We had a super busy week. I taught VBS at our church all week and the kids loved getting to go and have mommy there. Somehow I managed to forget my camera every day! Friday they both started gymnastics, and they LOVE it. I'll get some pics up soon. After gymnastics on Friday we headed over to a friends house to swim, and it was so great to finally have Charlie get over his fear of the water and come in and play!! And I forgot to take pictures again! Saturday we took the kids to a little fair and let them ride some rides and share some cotton candy. They had a good time until a storm rolled in and we had to leave. Here are a few pics from the fair. The last one is my favorite, Charlie was trying really hard to stand like daddy.

A few more....

I edited a few more and thought i'd put them up. Now i just need to figure out which ones to print out, i like them all!!!

Gracie's Photo Shoot

Charlie took a really long nap today so Gracie and I decided to have some fun. I put a little bit of makeup on her and fixed her hair and let her pick out a pretty dress. Then we headed outside to take a bunch of fun pics. Then we came inside and took a few more. We had a good time and I love how some of them turned out. I may be partial, but I think she is so beautiful!

Here is my dad looking very patriotic Melissa and her new hubby...aren't they cute!! We headed to a little town that was having a BIG fireworks show. We got there early so the kids got to play on the park, eat some funnel cakes and run off some energy. When the show started they were so quiet and they both had big smiles on their faces. It was so nice to see them both really enjoy it this year. Can't wait for next year!