Macys 2011

Every year it's tradition to go to Macys (or Marshall Field's as I will always know it to be) and have lunch under the big tree.  This year was fun (and a bit tricky having two new babies with us.  Thank goodness for an expansive furniture floor where two nursing mothers can find some privacy!)

The "big" cousins had a ball running around and chasing each other.

And the "little" cousins had a ball talking baby talk and being dressed alike (thanks to my mother-in-law).

I usually love to take lots of pictures and get all artsy, but with two kids in tow it wasn't happening this year. I'm not sure I even got a proper picture of the tree!

This is Nathan and his cousin Jake.  Nate just adores him (as you can plainly see!)

At least I got some cute pictures of all the cousins together.  We don't see them often enough.

One of the best photos of the day-the Queen Bee with her grandchildren.

The day went by too quickly and we were out of time before we knew it and had to head home so Ryan could go to work.  However, we were happy to have carried on a tradition, spent time with family and made some memories!

Some that didn't make the cut

Here are a few goodies from my attempt at the "perfect" Christmas card photo. 

Okay, one out of two ain't bad. (And I'm sorry but even when Lucas is crying he is just so. darn. cute!)

But Moooom, we don't waaaaant to!

Maybe if we act sleepy we can get out of it!

Okay, get that camera out of our faces already!

What? I have to touch him?

Got a couple decent ones in the end.  One year I am going to do a Christmas card with just the outtakes!

4th of July weekend

Our holiday weekend was pretty low key.

We finally swam in our pool,

 Nate played at the beach (still doesn't like the sand, though),

 went to the water park (he looks happy here but was really timid about wheeling through the water),

 Gramma was more brave than I and didn't mind getting wet with him.

 Then we hung out with family near the lake and tried out his new bubble machine.

On the 4th, we went to a local parade.  My sister, brother-in-law Tim, and nephew Zach went with us.  We got there early and found a perfect spot in the shade.  Last year's parade didn't go so well so I wasn't sure how he would react this year. 

Well, he made it through the line of firetrucks, police cars and ambulances...barely.

Zach loved the whole parade.  He was such a good boy! (And pretty darn cute, too) :)

But once the bands came along, Nate was less than impressed.  Although he loves music and instruments.

I think this picture says it all.

Most of the parade was enjoyable though

at least for the rest of us.

Hope everyone had a wonderful 4th!

Easter

I wasn't sure if I wanted to do the whole coloring Easter eggs thing with him this year.  But I am an art teacher after all.  I can't ever pass up an opportunity to experiment with colors.

 He really loved it.

Next year I'll teach him all about

primary and secondary colors.

And now for my attempt at an "Easter Portrait"

This is the best I could do 

to get a smile out of him.

At least he sort of looked at the camera.

Such a big boy!

After church we went to my mom's for dinner.

 Ryan got to hold baby Zach for the first time,

We scored an okay family portrait,

And hung out with family.
Awesome day!

Easter fun

The best

(Jenn, Gina, Christa, Katie and myself)

I just want to say I have the best group of mommy-friends a girl could ever ask for.  This was taken New Year's Eve at our little neighborhood party where our kids ran around in their jammies and drank sparkling grape juice and the mommies and daddies ate a lot, drank a little and thoroughly enjoyed each other's company.  I am so blessed to have found such amazing and caring people-and the best part is they all live right on our block!  (Which has a lot to do with why we currently don't have a "For Sale" sign in our yard right now).  Love you girls!

Christmas Day

I am overwhelmed with the amount of pictures I've taken-and not blogged about-since Christmas.  

Christmas morning was just the three of us.  And as much as I love to spend time with family during the holiday, this is my absolute favorite time.

And then the chaos begins.

But it's good chaos.

There was music,

(Nate is on drums at the table)

dancing,

 yummy ravioli, 

(Ryan is the official taste tester to see if it is ready)

and a whole lotta love.

Singing Happy Birthday to baby Jesus

(As you can see, 

Nate still doesn't like singing

Happy Birthday)

Christmas Tradition No. 2: Ravioli

This was another tradition started by my husband's family

they're Italian

So every year, we pre-make ravioli

for Christmas dinner

The boys help by rolling the dough 

(I have to give my husband mad props here

because he was the only adult male

who helped us women-folk)

And the Little Red Hen,

er, I mean my wonderful Mother-in-law

did what she does best

and folded, cut and forked

(and did a lot of bossing us around, too)

Love ya, mom!

It really was a team effort

(Even these two little cuties helped!)

And there was some fun, too

a little dancing

and some friendly taunting

(mostly due to having Bears AND Packers fans

and someone mentioning deep-frying

a turkey on Christmas)

and behold!

the yellow bowl was present!

Several hours later we had a couple hundred

ravioli in the freezer for Christmas day.

The best part?

Ryan's 87 year old Grandfather is the official taste tester

and gave them two thumbs up!