Dad turns SIXTY!

We celebrated Dad's 60th birthday doing what he loves most--hanging on the boat. In all my life, I've never seen him happier than when he is out on the lake. We love it too! What could be better than cruising around, just relaxing?!

Lola's first time on the boat was last Labor Day and she was NOT a fan of having to wear her life jacket. What a difference a year makes--she had no problem with it this time and seem to really enjoy just chillin' on the boat with us. She even took a 2 hour nap! All that rockin' can wear a baby out good :)




She LOVES Bert and LOVES to take him on walks. She feels like such a big girl.


Doing her part to clean up the construction dust.


Birthday boy opening presents.
She was such a hot, sweaty mess by the end of the day :) After a fun day in the sun, we headed to Williams Bay and had a FANTASTIC dinner at a place called Cafe Calamari. Yum!

Clark & Lola

The DiTore's were in town this weekend and were staying with friends in the city, so we met up with them at one of our favorite old breakfast spots on Sunday--Wishbone on Lincoln. We had a fun and very yummy breakfast, but by the end of the meal, our two active toddlers wanted out of their highchairs so they could walk around.

The sweetest sight followed--Clark took Lola by the hand and proceeded to walk her around the entire restaurant. It was time to go shortly after, but they didn't not want to stop holding hands! So they walked out hand in hand and continued just this way down Lincoln until we finally had to say good-bye. We're even more excited now for our trip to Florida in 3 weeks so these two buddies can spend more time together!



Clark wanted to stop and check out the goods in the toy store window...
...Lola wanted to keep walking!
He was SO loving and gentle towards her!

Cousinly Love!

#29

John had been telling me for a few weeks he had something simple but fun planned for my birthday. All I kept asking him about the day's plans were: "Does it involve food?" Because really, that's all I care about in life when it comes down to it! Haha!

So then a few days before my birthday I said "All I want to do is go downtown, eat at Aloha and get cupcakes at Bleeding Heart." He looked at me like "Are you kidding me?!" Turns out that's exactly what he had planned. I don't look at it as me ruining his surprise--I think it's so cool that he had planned exactly what I wanted for the day. Simple but perfect. Just one of the many moments in our relationship when I realize, yep, we're totally meant to be together!

We headed down late this morning and ended up driving around for 20 minutes looking for parking. Of course everyone and their mother was out on this stunning day. We found a free spot just as we were about to pay this much to park here:.....INSANE!
Before heading to lunch, we spent some time at the zoo. Lola was so excited to see the "animals" as she kept saying. I love that we can walk right into this zoo and not pay a dime!


Sporting her super cute sundress from Nonna.

Fish!
Giraffe!
Ah, lunch. Aloha Eats has been one of our favorites from our dating days. We love that Lola is as much of a fan as us now. She demolished her mac salad.


Before we headed back to the car, we took a little stroll through the North Pond area. Such a beautiful view of the skyline!


And of course the day ended with an amazing Veruca Salt cupcake from Bleeding Heart. Bliss!

Best Card Ever

Since our second date, my husband has given me amazing cards. I don't get flowers hardly ever from him, but I get cards that blow away any floral arrangement! That being said, I came home to THE BEST CARD I could ever imagine receiving--but it wasn't from him....

This is what comes out of Arts & Crafts with Grammy on Thursdays:
(It's super cute that it's decorated with Strawberry Shortcake--she was the "theme" to my 1st birthday party! How incredibly precious are those hand tracings?! I am the luckiest of the lucky!)

Pizza with the Kurek's

We met up with Auntie Karen & Uncle Dave last Saturday. We joined them for 4 o'clock Mass and then headed over to Ed n Joe's. Leah & Phil surprised us by joining us for dinner too!

Lola was such a good girl at dinner. She hung with Auntie Karen & Uncle Dave at the other end of the table. We love that we can take her anywhere and know she'll behave. She's getting awfully antsy at Mass these days though. We can make it through the First & Second readings but by the time the Homily rolls around, one of us has to take her outside to visit Mary and then we switch off during the Eucharist and then join back up as a trio right as Communion is being distributed. You do have to get creative with a toddler who loves to just go-go-go!
Only 400 and some odd days until these two tie the knot! Can't wait for that party!!!
And you know us :)
These next three are typical Lola. Cute as can be.


After dinner, we headed down the street to check out the bench the art students at Grissom built for Oak Park Ave.'s annual display. Auntie Karen has worked at Grissom for years, so we had to take some pictures with this one. She LOVED ringing the bell. We can't wait to check the rest out--there are some really cool ones this year, as usual!

Happiness is...being a Mommy!

Today was a beautiful day. We didn't do anything special, but we were together and the sun was shinning. Who could ask for more?

The morning started with a great breakfast complements of Daddy in our kitchen. Daddy & Lola surprised Mommy with a day at the Aveda spa in Orland. I'm so excited to go!

Then, Mom & Britt stopped over for awhile and Mom gave me the cuddliest, softest pink robe you could ever imagine!

After that, we headed to Mass for May Crowning. When we got home we were able to WebCam with the Florida H's. We capped off the day with dinner at Dad & Sue's.

Hope everyone had a WONDERFUL Mother's Day!

All that's missing from this picture is our Ronnie.
Me on Mother's Day. I couldn't imagine a happier life.
I think we make a great team. Can't wait to celebrate what an amazing Daddy he is next month! Last year was our first Mother's/Father's Days, but John was traveling both of those weekends so we're very happy to be together this year. (PS...doesn't John look great? He's lost 15 lbs. in the past month--and he's promising himself to lose even more. )
She loves to snuggle after naptime--especially after short ones like today's was.


Photographing her against our brick wall is my new favorite!
Time for some puffs!
She's all about saying "cheese" lately. Makes for some silly smiles.

Sporting her outfit from G.G. We got it for Christmas and I just took the tags off today b/c the pants were a little long. Such a great spring ensemble.
Sippy cup before Mass starts.
We got to be apart of the May Crowning procession.
The second-graders made their First Communion last weekend and this lucky girl got to crown Mary this year (and wear her pretty white dress again!).

WebCamming at lunch with Papa, Nonna, TiTi & G.G.
Stealing Mommy's truffle ice cream bar.