A week of adventures

The day after we arrived home from Branson, I crawled out of bed, made some coffee and realized I had made plans with my friend Erin to go to Grant's Farm.  I checked the weather: high of 91 with 80% humidity.  Great.

I scurried around getting the diaper bag packed.  I was able to shower (bonus) and get the kids dressed.  I knew Erin had taken the day off work and we had this planned for months.  But something in me just didn't feel like lathering the kids up with sunscreen and taking them out into the brutal heat.  I frantically brainstormed about things we could do indoors...you know, air conditioning and NO SUN!

I know I sound like a weirdo, but honestly, as much as I love doing things outside, I am deathly afraid of the sun.  I am afraid of it for me and for my kids.  I constantly struggle with protecting my kids from the sun versus letting them be kids and enjoy being outside.  It's very hard and it can be paralyzing.

So, after kicking around a few ideas with Erin about what else we could do, I decided to buck up and go to Grant's Farm after all.  I can honestly say that I was so happy we went. It was a fun time and we left before it got too hot!

                                                                  Erin and Naomi on the tram

Maria enjoying the tram. (so glad she agreed to wear that hat!!!)

Feeding the goats...she giggled the whole time!

Then I couldn't get her away from the goats...she wanted to pet every one!

Naomi looking at the goats from a distance!

So, this trip set the tone for the week.  I faced my fears each day with an outdoor activity.  I promised myself, and my kids, that this summer would be full of fun activities, instead of staying inside and watching TV.

The next day, Maria's friends from pre-school met at a park and had a picnic.  Although I still loaded them up with sunscreen, we lucked out by having a pretty cloudy day.  It even rained while we ate lunch under the pavilion.  The kids were absolutely filthy when we got home.

Dirt covered legs, sand filled shoes, sticky faces and necks from spilled juice boxes!  As I was putting them in the tub I thought "Now this is what summer is all about!"

Later that evening we dropped Maria off at Gerry's parent's house.  His mom took some vacation and wanted to spend some time with Maria so she spent the night at their house.  It was nice having some one on one time with Naomi the next day.  I don't get that very often!  She's a fun kid!

To end the week, Friday we invited some little kids over whose mom's are getting ready to have babies!  I called it a Pregnancy Relief Playdate!  Our sister-in-law, Laura, and my brother's 2 sisters-in-law, Kristy and Sara are ready to pop.  So, we had their little ones, Olivia, Gavin and Micah, come over for some fun!

We read stories and had circle time, made a fun snack, played outside in the pool, and ate lunch! Whew!  What a day.  I almost nixed the pool idea because it was so hot (and the sun was SOOO bright), but I didn't let fear take over.  I covered them, head to toe, with sunscreen and then enjoyed shooting them with the hose while they splashed each other! Luckily Naomi was napping during this time, so I didn't have to worry about her!

                                          Olivia decorating pudding in ice cream cone cups!

Gavin's masterpiece!

This is the best!

Group shot!

Naomi

Pool Party inside?

Now that's more like it!

They're not quite sure...it's a little cold!

Olivia

Ahhh...having a drink by the pool! 

Micah

Alright...nobody move! And nobody pee on my floor!

Lunch time!

Gavin just loves Naomi.  Ha wanted me to take a picture of the 2 of them! Cute!

Partied out and passed out!

Hey guys...where's the party?

It was a great end to a great week.  I loved having all those kids around.  It made me miss my days at the daycare...just a little!  We will definitely have to do it again! Now if those little babies could just get here soon!  We can't wait to meet them all!

Maria and Naomi were exhausted each day from playing so hard.  I hope this inspires me to be creative with our summer and keep doing fun things!

Naomi Walks!!!

She's been taking a few steps here and there, but this was the longest she has walked at one time!

We are so excited!  Yay Omi!

Branson Vacay 2010

My family spent Memorial Weekend in Branson, Mo.  We had a fantastic time!  We stayed in a 4 bedroom cabin, which was very child friendly. (thank goodness).  We spent most of our time relaxing, eating, drinking and laughing! The kitchen was stocked with everything we needed so we cooked most of our meals there. Saturday, we went to the Dixie Stampede which was a great show that provided a gigantic meal.  Sunday afternoon, we walked around the downtown Branson Landing and had dinner at a nice steak place.  We watched the water/fire show on the landing and did a little dancing.  The whole weekend was a blast and it was great to spend time with our family.  This was our first time doing anything like this and I hope we can make it a tradition.

Relaxing in the cabin after a long drive.

Hailey and Jeff

Maria and Grandpa Galen

Gerry and Kelly

John and I

Of course mom's gotta be goofing around

Finally a good one!

Cute family!

Big Bro and Lil Sis!

 Checking out the fish at Bass Pro Shops

Uncle Marc and Omi getting ready for some steak

Cousins!

Pretty smile!

Getting ready for the water show.

Awww...young love!

Family Fun!

Mom and Galen trying to tame the wild animals. (I like the crowd in the background)

Gerry and Cara

First and Last Day of Children's Day Out

Tuesday, May 24th, was Maria's last day of her pre-school program.  I have nothing but wonderful things to say about our experience here.  Maria loved the teachers and talked about her school friends often. She learned about Jesus each week and loved to play on the play ground!

My how things change! Here is a side by side pic of her first and last day of school!

During the school year, the teachers took random pictures of the kids in the classroom.  They uploaded them to a photo sharing website.  Here are just a few that Maria was in.

Anniversary in Chicago

Chicago was amazing!  The entire trip was so much fun!  Everything, from dropping the kids off, to the train ride, to the weather, was perfect!

Riding the train was so easy compared to flying.  I know we would've saved time, but not having to deal with security and baggage claim was totally worth it.  I am also glad we didn't drive.  Gerry and I were both exhausted to begin with and making the 5 hour drive would've added unnecessary stress.  On the train, we were able to talk, relax, hang out and sleep...which is exactly what we needed.

                                               (no make up, bright and early on the train)

Once in Chicago, we took cabs everywhere.  Traffic is crazy and so are the cab drivers. We ate lunch at a little Italian cafe.  The food was delicious and so fresh!  I would go back there in a heartbeat!

(our awesome lunch at Pompei)

Did some sight seeing on Michigan Avenue.

Of course, we had to stop by the Apple store.

Then we visited Navy Pier, took a skyline boat tour and drank some adult beverages.  Mmmm!

(on the boat...getting ready to take off!)

(pulling away from the pier)

Upon going back to our hotel to get ready for dinner, we learned there was a Restaurant Convention in town...which meant every restaurant in Chicago was booked.  However, we were able to get a reservation at 9:00pm.  This meant we had some extra time to kill so we stopped by the swank bar in our hotel for a few drinks.

We were able to walk to our restaurant - which was a seafood place.  Let me tell you it was, by far, the best seafood meal I have ever had - anywhere!  The place was called McCormick & Schmicks...it's a chain and I heard they recently opened one here in town, so I am stoked about that.  The Chilean sea bass was fantastic, and so were the king crab legs.  Gerry ordered the stuffed salmon which was amazing as well.  I wanted dessert, but I was so full and so tired. (we didn't even get our food until like 9:40)

After dinner, we were so excited to get back to our hotel and...SLEEP! (What did you you think I was going to say?? We haven't had one night of uninterrupted sleep since Naomi was born! Okay, that's exaggerating, but it's been a long time!)

Both kids and even the dog had great weekends away, as well.  Although the trip was short, we missed them terribly.  It was good to have everyone under the same roof again!

Thanks again to Jeff and Kelly for watching Maria, Karen and John for taking Naomi, and to Brian and Jen for watching Devon!  We appreciate it sooo much!

And thanks to my awesome husband for planning such an amazing trip.  I will never forget it!  I love you!

My Best Friend

Gerry-

Five years ago, today, we were married!  You already made me the happiest woman in the world...but I had no idea the best was yet to come. I know we've had our ups and downs (and we will continue to have them.) But I know, when I go to bed every night, that God has truly blessed me in more ways than I'll ever know when He brought us together.

You are a wonderful husband.  In five years, we have gotten married, graduated me from college, gave birth to 2 children and dealt with my skin cancer diagnosis.  You have supported me in every way and I could not have asked for a better partner to spend this life with.  You do so many other things for me and our family that I can't thank you enough for.

1) You work. You work hard at a demanding job so that I can stay home with our kids.  You provide for us in every way so we can have a good life, wear nice clothes, eat healthy food, have a nice house, drive a nice mini-van.  Although these are all material things...they are nice to have and it's because of you that we are able to have them.

2) You do things that are inconvenient in order to help me.  I can't even count the number of times you go to the grocery store after you've worked all day, just so I don't have to take both kids with me. I swear Wal-Mart is your second home!  You take vacation or go into work late so I can go to my doctor appointments without bringing the kids.  You bring work home with you so you can be here for dinner/bath/bed time, and then work after the kids go to bed.

3) You take care of things.  You make sure to get all the regular maintenance done on our vehicles, you manage our money, pay the bills, clean things that I don't want to (the drains, the exhaust fans to name a few) deal with the trash, cut the grass, wash the house, etc. You do all of these things to keep what we have nice, and although I may give you a hard time, I love you for it!

4) You love me.  You still open the car door for me and ask me if "I'm in", you will always leave the last piece of pizza for me, you buy me chocolate when you go to the grocery store, you plan weekend getaways and let me go on shopping sprees, you let me plan huge birthday parties for our girls, you agreed to finish the basement and build a deck, you rub my feet, you call just to check in and say hi and you ask me how my day was - even though you probably already know.

5) You are an amazing dad.  Your dedication and love for your family continues to amaze me.  I have loved watching you learn to become a father...from the minute Maria was born.  I love to watch the girls play with you and their excitement when you come home from work.  At night, when you are putting the girls to bed,  I can hear you reading to them on the monitor.  Sometimes I just stop what I'm doing and listen to Poor Pluto, Ten in the Meadow, or David Goes to School with tears in my eyes.  I often wonder how many dads are reading to their girls right now at this moment?  How many little girls are lucky enough to have a dad that gets up everyday, goes to work, comes home to eat dinner with his family, and then reads to his girls before bed?  It doesn't sound like a big deal...but the impact you are making on them now is really shaping who they are going to be as adults.  Your presence and commitment is leaving it's mark and it's going to make them better, stronger women. So, for that, I am thankful.  

We  have had a fantastic 5 years!  I still can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you!
Thank you for who you are and thank you for loving me.

Happy Anniversary!
I love you!
~Cara