One Step, Two Step

Well, we no longer have a baby in our home!  Now that she is walking (about 99% of the time) she is officially a toddler in our book!  After our trip to West Virginia, Lucy took a few steps and every day we noticed she could take a few more, gaining her balance a little better.  Sometime this past week, Lucy went from a part-time crawler/part-time walker to a full-time walker.  It is the cutest thing to watch - she has lots of falls and is constantly trying to find her balance - she looks like a little gymnast trying to land a dismount.  She is fast and will just walk from room to room - and has been quick to find every outlet and attempt to open every cabinet.

It is so much fun watching Lulu discover the world as a walker.  So, we are off today to find some nice (and hopefully somewhat cute) walking shoes!!

Sullivan Cabin Weekend

We had an amazing weekend with friends at the beautiful lake house of our friends Megan and Ryan (and Kieran and Mia!).  It was one of those weekends that you look back on with so many great memories year after year.  Megan, Amy, Lauren and I all became friends when I first moved to Chicago and we were all on the same softball team (I don't think I ever really hit or caught the ball over 3 years).  Eight years, four weddings, six kids and three moves out to the suburbs later - we were ready for a fun weekend in LaValle, Wisconsin!

Megan and Ryan's cabin was absolutely gorgeous - they purchased the home years ago and have pretty much renovated every inch of the house.  It was so comfortable, yet had a true "cabin" feel to it.  And, it was the most relaxing weekend ever.  When people think about relaxing on vacation, or a weekend, I probably am not the first person to come to mind.  But, with Lucy around I really enjoyed it!

We played games when the kids went to bed, cooked out on the grill, made smores for the older kids, and spent a lot of time just hanging out.  And, of course we took the boat out on Saturday -  the guys did some cliff jumping and Lucy took her first dip in the lake.  Some of the kids went tubing and we found a man-made Slip-N-Slide down a huge hill that a few of us went down.  Somehow, I was the only one to walk away with an injury from that adventure.  But, the kiddies all got along great, and it couldn't have been more fun. It is safe to say we are hoping to get invited back next year!

On the way home, we stopped in Madison to tire out Lucy for the rest of the drive (I know, it was only 4 hours but we treated it like a cross-country trip.) 

"I'd rather be walking!"

Lauren and baby Anna

A day in the sandbox - all the kids are working away!

Miss Kieran, the big 5-year-old

Jordan, Payton and Matty

My ladybug

Baby Anna enjoying hanging out by the fire

A family stroll

You can't have a fire without smores!

Why is water so much fun?!

I love museums!

A family pic in Madison

97 Amazing Years

This weekend, with very heavy hearts, we said goodbye to an amazing woman, friend and role model - our Grandma Fran. As her only grandchildren, our Granny Franny has been at my sisters' and my side through the most important moments of our lives and it was very meaningful to be by her side this weekend to say goodbye to someone who spent the past 97 years bringing happiness and humor to the lives of everyone who has been lucky to know her.  Her smile was infectious (I hope I am this happy when I turn 97!!!) and with every passing year my grandma found a way to enjoy her life more than the year before.  We are so grateful for the time we had to learn from and love such a special woman and I hope that I can be, even in the smallest way, as funny, generous and loving to my own children and grandchildren as my grandma has been to us.

Grandma, we love you!!!

On the Road (Plane) Again....

This time to West Virginia!! We had a great long weekend at the Muskovich side family reunion in Wheeling, West Virginia at the beautiful Oglebay Park resort.  It was like being at an all-inclusive resort once you purchase the "wristband" - we got to visit an awesome zoo, butterfly (allegedly) sanctuary, horse stable and ride paddle boats - and most importantly - swim!  And, of course the guys couldn't be on vacation, see a golf course, and not spend a day (and a half) there.  Even my dad, who I don't remember golfing since I have been born, went with the guys one day.

The family reunion didn't have the best turnout but it was still really great to see the family that could make it!  We don't get to see them often - Joe and I have been together for 5 years and this was his first time meeting everyone.  So, we definitely cherish weekends like this.  Lucy got to meet the family and some of her second cousins, and Joe got to see my dad's hometown and eat a few (yes, three) Bellaire-famous hotdogs at Gullas.

And, it wouldn't be a family vacation without the guys bonding over a few beers, leading to shots, leading to making new friends with employees, leading to some great stories that I am sure will be talked about for years to come!

But, now that we are home and unpacked, we are happy to be getting back into a normal schedule of naps (I think Lucy missed her crib because her morning nap has been 2 1/2 hours as I type) and meals - as much as Lucy enjoyed trying corned beef hash, grilled cheese and cream of mushroom soup - we are back to cheerios, veggies, fish and of course greek yogurt today!!! Sorry Lucy!

Muskovich/Wennerstrom/Blandford Family Vacation 2011 was a success!!!!

The West Virginia Family!  What a good looking group!

Dad, Uncle Smoke and Aunt Carol

 A cute close-up of Caitlin

And Abigail....

And Lucy

A very fuzzy family photo - the background in gorgeous but I forgot to mention to the waitress that the camera has to be focused

Choo Choo!!! On the train to see the baby zebra at the zoo

Lucy and Mommy checking out the kangaroos

So close to the birds!

The girls hanging out on the front porch of the resort

Cooling off with popsicles after paddle boats

Lucy and Mommy going for a ride

Relaxing in the pool - Lucy is always so distracted!

     Swimming in the best!!!                               

                                      

4th of July Recap

There were ribs....lots of ribs (chicken for me!) at the Naperville Ribfest

Discussing and voting.  For the record, Porky and Beans won Joe over for the "best ribs he has ever had."  We will need to reference this next year.  

Getting a little taste of the adult food that daddy was raving about

 I am not a tangy type of gal

 Lucy's first parade - in downtown Evanston

I love parades!!! 

U.S.A!

Hanging out with the Goldbergs

                                      

Ending the weekend with an (illegal) fireworks show

And, let's not forget who turned 10 months this weekend!!!

Baby Lacny on the Way!!

Baby Lacny is almost here - and nobody could be more excited than us!!!! We can't wait for Lucy to have a little friend to run around with at family parties and make us proud when they take on their big reading roles at the family Christmas party.  It hasn't really hit Lucy yet that in a few months the camera will not always be pointed at her (proof below - Lucy is starting to think every party is her party!), but we can't wait for her cousin to arrive!  Brian and Jenny will be amazing parents!!  Although we weren't able to be at the shower, I was lucky to get some pics from Jill.  

Congrats Jenny and Brian...and of course Ryder!!

The proud parents-to-be with Baby Lacny's first jersey

Doesn't Jenny look amazing??!

 Which one is Grandma??! I'm confused!

 (I am 99% sure Lucy thinks Aunt Pat is Grandma when Chris isn't around. They sound so much alike.)