Vancouver 2013

John and I just got home from a wonderful anniversary (7 years!) getaway to Vancouver, British Columbia--all made possible because of those many miles and points he earned while traveling with Chase Private Client the last year and a half he was with the company. He promised me a fun vacation b/c of all that travel and as always, he wowed me :)

Thanks to Nonna & Papa, with Grammy, Mimi & Papa pitching in as well, we were able to enjoy 4 wonderful days in the Pacific Northwest. We spent 3 days in Vancouver and 1 in Seattle. Highlights included:

• Granville Island (we shopped and ate to our hearts content)
• Fishworks in North Vancouver (fancy, yummy dinner)
• Capilano Suspension Bridge + Cliffwalk (wow)
• RELAXING IN COMFY HOTEL SUITES!
• Shopping on Robson
• Walking Stanley Park
• Mass with our Canadian Catholics
• Talking the benefits of universal health care (and how much they LOVE theirs)
• BEING TOGETHER. 

Vancouver 2013

{JMH}

We're speechless when we look at him, hear him talk, listen to his laugh. There are no words for how incredible our boy is. We love you, buddy.

JMH

He's getting to be such a big boy--talking so much, more daring on the playground, starting to read his sight word books. But he'll forever be my baby boy, the one I laid in a hospital bed on best rest for a month with, the one I feel madly in love with the moment I laid eyes on--the sweet angel who God whispered "Don't give up!" to the moment he was born.

So much joy he brings...

Lola's First Day of Kindergarten

And just like that, our baby is off to Kindergarten. 

Brookfield Zoo

The St. Louis DiTores were heading back to STL a couple weekends ago, so we met up before the hit the road at Brookfield Zoo, particularly so Clark could check out the Dinasours Alive exhibit. All the kids loved it and we especially loved getting to see them. The kids get along really well, and Clark + Lola especially have a very sweet bond.

We ended up becoming members, and Mom + Dad have already taken the kids back again--this time, they got to see EVERY animal. Very proud of those two, venturing out into the Chicagoland wilderness and living to tell about it! We are really loving having them here--it's almost sureal, since we have been talking about the move up here for abotu 6 years. It was worth the wait. :)

9 years later...

A quick shot of John & I, nine years to the day after our first date. Sometimes I stop and think...What if I had said no to his offer of taking me out that August 11th evening all those years ago. My heart knew something for certain. He deserved a date at the very least, for having the courage to ask me out without knowing what the answer would be.

And I'm so glad he did.

Fun with Uncle Ronnie!

'Twas The Night Before Kindergarten

'Twas the night before Kindergarten...Amazing to think that tomorrow, Lola begins Kindergarten at NEA. We are so excited for her to continue on in this wonderful community/family of a school.

We had back to school night last week--here she is with one of her good buddies, MJ

 Just being her Lola self--insisting on wearing her tap shoes out, because all the world's her stage!

Lola is now sleeping in her own bed. I won't even get into the 5 years of co-sleeping we allowed. At times it was frustrating but mostly, John and I loved having our baby so close. We were huge believers in the benefits of co-sleeping and looking back, knowing now she is *finally* sleeping in her own bed after several false-starts, we wouldn't change a thing. She is and always will be our first baby, our Lola-Bear.

And finally, this afternoon, we hit a park and she marked a big milestone--doing the monkey bars on her own! She is and always has been filled with a very healthy dose of self-confidence and utter determination that she can do it. ALL. BY. HER. SELF.

Lola's 5th Birthday

Lola was blessed with a beautiful sunny day for her 5th birthday/party! Bunches of family & friends joined us to celebrate with a bash in Mimi + Papa's big backyard. We are so glad everyone could join us...

Here's a look at our five year old's (!!!) celebration:

Lola's 5th Birthday

Dear Lola Rose...