PART 4 ::: FAMILY

When we got back from Chicago we had just enough time to play with the cousins before heading to bed. Nana and Papa had visited the "home town" of Super Man earlier this summer and bought the kids some fun pj's. They all loved them of course and were running around the house yelling, "We must defeat!" Who knows where they got that from, but that is what they said over and over. It was very funny.




The next day we were going to have our annual family picnic at Tower Hill, but the weather was not cooperating, which seems to be the theme this summer. Instead we headed to the park for a cook out, which was just as fun.
Carissa and Alexis, like my "little" girls from Chicago, are growing up way too fast.

My cousin Melissa is pregnant with her third girl. We are very excited!


Teagan and Mirielle hanging out together. I really do think they were having their own little conversation.

Nana and Great Aunt Barbara showing off their roasted marshmallows that were about to melt off their sticks.

I really wanted a fun family picture with everyone that was in town, so I made them wear red, white, and blue. I wanted kelly green, but not everyone had that in their wardrobe like we do. Thanks Aunt Barbara for the festive necklaces.


After we left the park we went over to the Lawlers to hang out and have dinner. Rya showed us how to play the Wii, which was very cute to watch her do.

Even Teagan wanted to play!



After dinner we met up with Kika at her friend's Michelle and Travis' house to see her old high school gang. It was fun to see them and meet all of their kids too. No pics though. Overall, another fun filled day. We miss everyone already!

PART 3 ::: CHICAGO

We all drove into Chicago for a couple of fun filled days, or I should say extremely fun filled days! First the girls went to the American Girl Place for a luncheon while the boys went to the Field Museum to see the dinosaurs and an exhibition on pirates.

Teagan riding with Nana in her first taxi cab ride in the Windy City.

As you can see, Riley Rose was very excited!!!!! This picture was taken as soon as we walked in the door. She turned around and had the biggest cheese smile possible.

Teagan had a lot of fun in the Tea Room with her new Itty Bitty doll Nana had bought her in anticipation of our visit. {Don't you love the hand on her doll in this picture?!}

Friend of the family, Barb O'Dea joined us for lunch being a collector of American Girl Dolls. She was in heaven. She even brought her Kit doll because that is Ruthie's (Riley's doll) best friend.

Kelly Z went with us too to have some much needed girl time!

In this picture of Nana and Teagan, you can see the party dress that Daddy bought Teagan right after she was born. What a great Daddy already buying her dresses. And Great Grammy Helen made the sweater. An adorable outfit for our adorable little girl.

LOVE IT!!!!

After lunch we met up with the boys at the Taste of Chicago. I must not have taken any pictures while we were there. Then it was off to meet up with some old friends. Owen fell asleep on the way, exhasuted of course, with dinosaur toy in hand.

We went to Linnea and Cam's to have my favorite pizza, Calo, for dinner. The Nordlunds and Voss family came too. It was nice to catch up and meet the new babies.
{Ali, Barbara, Jamie, Linnea}

Jon and Nathan holding the three newbies, Sofia, Sonja, and Teagan.

Gwen showing Teagan her kitchen. You can tell she's a big sister now!

I love that Owen is a month older than Gwen and now Sonja is a month older than Teagan. Destined to be long distance friends for life. {Thanks for this pic Linnea.}

Owen finally woke up and had fun playing with all the girls. So many to choose from!

Giving Sanne some extra lovin'.

Why do we always torture ourselves to try and get the infamous sofa picture? Maybe when they are ten we can get them all to look at the same time, oh and actually stay on the sofa too!

Sonja and Teagan comparing things they like to put in their mouths.

Sanne had no problem warming up to Mike and kept bringing him books to read to her.

Owen giving Gwen a BIG hug goodbye. Thanks for a great night guys!

We stayed over at the Nordlund's in our old apartment building. It was fun to be there and to spend more time with them. Thanks for letting this crazy crew stay over!

Sanne, Owen, and Teagan playing the next morning before we started another busy day.

Before we left our old hood, we stopped by our neighbors' Steve and Ingrid. Owen was happy to see Emma again and we got to meet their new addition, Charlie.

Then it was off to breakfast at Pauline's with Joan Kohn. She is always such a joy to be around and has so much love for our little family.

After breakfast we went to Mike's old barber so he could finally get a real haircut, meaning not one by ME. Mike is showing Owen a picture of Owen getting his first haircut there that they have on the wall. {If you remember the original post of his first haircut, you know he has a Playboy magazine on his lap. The barber said his picture is a big hit, right next to some celebs that have been there and signed pictures for them.}

While Daddy got his hair cut, the kids and I walked to the beach. Oh how I miss the beach in Chicago.

I couldn't leave Chicago without seeing my (not so little) girls. So we met up with them in Mike's old school district, Lincolnwood, at Wholly Frijoles for lunch. I miss my girls and it was so fun to catch up with them and get the latest scoop. I still can't believe that Becca is going to college next year, Grace is way taller than me, and Meghan is driving! Yikes!

{Becca, Grace, Meghan}


Chicago was AWESOME, as Owen would say. It was nice to see everyone and eat at some of our favorite places too. We miss it already.