4.30.2012

Ron + Silvia's Wedding Shower

Enjoy the album...it was a great day for this great couple!
Ron + Silvia's Wedding Shower

4.22.2012

Showering Ronnie & Silvia

A little sneak peek at the gorgeous couple we showered this afternoon...my brother and his soon-to-be Mrs.

Lola was all dolled up in her new Matilda Jane dress. One of my preschool mom friends hand-makes these beautiful headbands, and she custom made this for Lola to match compliment the dress. Love it!

Caiden is 3!

The kids had a blast at Caiden's Pirate 3rd Birthday party. Their matching Johnny Cupcake t-shirts that Titi got them for Christmas were perfect for the theme! John went out for a bachelor dinner in honor of my soon-to-be wed brother, so I was playing zone defense with the kids. Thank goodness Mimi & Papa were there and could help me keep tabs on the kids (always going in opposite directions!) and take Johnny home early and put him to bed so I could stay with Lola who was having a blast with the other kids.

Enjoy the pics....Aargh!

Caiden's 3rd Birthday

4.19.2012

Sundale Ridge

I have the fondest memories of the neighborhood I grew up in. I spent my entire childhood living in the same room, in the same house on the same block until it was time to go off to college. I loved riding bikes with friends around the neighborhood and hanging out at our park. Surprisingly, I just took the kids to that exact park for the first time ever today, even though we live one block from the neighborhood I grew up in.

I love parks. Plain and simple. Good, cheap fun. Lola's gross motor skills are awesome and while I spot her on the equipment when needed, she's great at navagating the challanges. Johnny is really starting to enjoy all the fun equipment as well, all while collecting multch and dirt and sticks along the way.

Mom met us up at the park today for a bit and I captured this moment. Cute, despite Johnny looking like an angry lumberjack, haha!




4.18.2012

{johnny}

It doesn't get better than this...

4.15.2012

Weekend Round-Up

Saturday:
Running to the car, headed to Standard Market. We're in love with that place.
Sunday:
Gospel reading. A powerful one. Simple but true. The definition of "faith".
John Michael, 17 months! Hanging at the park a few miles from home. Traveling via bicycles.
Two for the price of one. Flying high.

4.14.2012

Ann+Nick::Married

Last night, we celebrated the marriage on our old friend Ann to her love, Nick. It was such a fun and joyous celebration. Our friendship with Ann goes back to the Enterprise days--we all worked together in Bucktown and John was her manager as well. After he moved over to Chase, he recruited her to be a part of his team of bankers. Anyone who knows Ann knows what a good, fun person she is.

A few years ago, Ann battled cancer. She went through alot, but came out the other side and along the way, found the love of her life. Weddings are always joyus occasions, but this one was extra special knowing how deserving of all the happiness this couple is.

The new Mr. & Mrs.--Ann looked so glamours, as if she had stepped right out of 1940...
Their ceremony & reception was held at Salvage One, where in just a few more months, we will celebrate the new Mr. & Mrs. Ronald A Kurek II--I don't want to give away too many details of the venue for those of you that will be there--but I will say that it is so awesome and unique and unlike anything we've ever been too. So impressed and so excited!
Our dear friends Chris & Tracy, looking dashing.
Catching up with our old crew members, like Abby, was one of the highlights of the night. Things change a bit when you move out to the suburbs and have kids, but it's awesome to spend time with friends, picking up right where you left off and hearing about the new and exciting things happening in everyone's life.
Just one of the cool and relaxed sitting spaces on the second floor at Salvage One.
Heading from the first to the second floor. Let's go, time's a wastin'!
All the cool and hip receptions have food delivered later in the evening. And while I had stuffed myself on the appetizers, make your own mac'n'cheese bar and antipasta plates, I passed on the Taco Bell. Tracy & Baby very much enjoyed it ;)
On the way to the reception, we drove past Threadless. We had hoped to stop inside, but they closed at 5. Still had to take a pic with the cool sign and surely will have to make a trip back.

4.08.2012

Another one headed to SOUTH BEND!

John is always updating me when Notre Dame secures a top prospect to add to the roster. Very exciting that one of their best prospects for the Fall season is coming from our own family. Cousin Jessica from Nashville is headed to South Bend! Graduating Salutatorian of her high school, just like her Dad did.

Johnny helped her make her announcement at Easter Brunch this morning. Who knows, perhaps one day he'll be announcing his own commitment to play for the Irish!

4.07.2012

Holy Saturday

We colored our Eggs on Friday--Lola had so much fun and did it all by herself. I prepped the dyes, but she did the rest. We then took them to a traditional Polish blessing of the baskets at our church this morning. After we leave church, Lola likes to say a quick hello to Mary, then run across the courtyard to Jesus & Joseph to share the love...In addition to making the strata, fritatta and deviled eggs we'll be enjoying with Mom's side of the family tomorrow morning for brunch, we're also bringing over a dessert to Auntie Karen and Uncle Dave's for Easter dinner. Lola helped out again, adding the jelly beans atop Mommy's pathetically frosted cupcakes. Needless to say, when John, Ren and I open our bakery, I will be working at the front of the house!!! :)

4.01.2012

Easter Bunny {2012}

After Palm Sunday Mass this morning, we headed up to the Oak Park Ave. train station to visit Mr. Hippity Hop. We hung out outside waiting for our turn, which was great because the weather was mild and there were festivites to enjoy.

We sure do appreciate Tinley Park allocating some of our tax dollars to put on such nice family-friendly events throughout the year, such as this. But might I offer village hall a suggestion? Drop a few bucks on a new Bunny costume. Oh, my. We were shocked the kids didn't take one look at him and say, "No thanks, buddy. We don't need a basket that bad." Ha!

Hope everyone's Easter preperations go great this week! Enjoy the pics...