Florida Family Photos

Well our family vacation was WAY back in July and I am finally uploading these professional photos we had taken at our resort in Orlando. It was about 95 degrees out so we are pretty happy the kids cooperated enough to get these pictures.




Other updates- we have a busy weekend ahead starting with soccer tonight, then dinner at a friends house, soccer again tomorrow, and then on Sunday we are visiting with Baby Luke and family. I haven't seen him since he was 3 weeks old and now he is 4 months old so I am sure he will be huge! It will be nice for our kids to see him again too. Then next week Al heads out of town again but at least this time will only be for a few days.

Remembering 9/11

Remembering all who lost their lives or loved ones 8 years ago today. What a horrible day that we will never forget. We are grateful to everyone serving in the military to protect our family and everyone else. My children are safe because of each of you. Thank you and God Bless!

Cards Win 4-3!

We took the kids last night to the Cardinals game in Milwaukee. We tailgated first with our Subway sandwiches and then played at the park outside the stadium before heading into the game. The kids had fun cheering for Albert and their favorite team. Unfortunately, the time Albert hit the home run, we were playing at Bernie's dugout inside the stadium so the kids missed it! We left at the top of the 8th with the Cardinals down by 1 but luckily they pulled through and beat the Brewers! The kids fell asleep on the ride home thank goodness because we didn't get home until almost 11pm! YIKES! I'm exhausted today so I can only imagine how our kindergartner and 2nd grader are doing. Poor kids! Oh well, family memories are more important. Al is only working a half day today and heading back to the game.
Lets hope its a sweep!

Gavin Made the Paper!

So remember the bloody nose Gavin had on the first day of kindergarten? Well, it made the Gurnee Review this week!
http://www.pioneerlocal.com/gurnee/news/1747037,gurnee-kinder-090309-s1.article

They interviewed one of Gavin's classmates- Megan about her first day of Kindergarten and she told the reporter about "a little boy with a bloody nose" (see 2nd to last paragraph.) Here it is, the first time he makes the paper and it's about his bloody nose. (No name or picture which I guess in this case is good.) I think this is totally hysterical and very sad all at the same time.

I survived!

Carson started 2nd grade on 8/26 and Gavin started kindergarten today, and somehow I survived both. Carson's first day was absolutely pouring rain. The morning pictures are not attached yet but I will add them. This one below was after school so the rain finally stopped. Carson loves his teacher so far and is so happy to be back in school with his friends (and his old girlfriend Caitlyn). He was also thrilled to learn that his teacher is a St. Louis Cardinals fan. What a smart lady!


(From my cell phone. Better pics to come.)

Gavin's first day today went "ok". His bus was 22 minutes late this morning which made both he and I crazy! He said "Where the heck is the bus? We have been waiting for like 10 hours!". At least the frustration kept away my tears. Then when he returned- 55 minutes after school got out, he was no longer wearing that cute yellow plaid shirt I put him in this morning- but was wearing the back up one I packed, just in case. The bus driver said he got a bloody nose right after he got on the bus this morning. Poor kid! I am so sad about that. He was probably freaking out and not sure what to do and the horrible mom I am forgot to put tissues in his backpack! I wonder if he was really that nervous to bring on a bloody nose. He seemed fine though and very happy- and HUNGRY. He was ready to go back to daycare for lunch while I had to come back to work without a lunch because his bus was so late! Maybe the diet should start today. :(


Gavin before getting on the bus. (Pre-bloody nose)

Morgan- just because.

I am glad I survived today but the rest of this week is just as stressful and crazy. Why the heck did I make a Lifesource appointment to donate blood tonight? Now I can't have a glass of wine later. Oh well, gotta do my good deed to save lives. On Saturday I have to be at two places at once for the boys soccer games. Thank God Grandma is able to help out. Then, I am solo with the kids Friday through Sunday as Al will be out of town for his "guy weekend". I am totally jealous even if I shouldn't be. Of course I want him to have fun but for those of you who don't know my hubby, he has a guys night every single Monday night year round so forgive me if I'm a little bitter. Still love you honey. Just get home ASAP on Sunday! Thank God it's a long weekend so we will at least have Monday all together. I need another vacation already!

School is Starting...... Sniff, Sniff

I am so emotional right now! Carson starts 2nd grade tomorrow and I can't hardly stand it. To top it off, I have to go through all this again next week when Gavin starts Kindergarten on 9/1. I am just so sad that I won't have my boys with me on my days off. (Of course Gavin will only be gone for 1/2 days but its still hard!) I have loved every minute of my time off with the kids this summer and will miss them being with me on my days off. I know I will cherish the time alone with Morgan, but it just won't be the same without the noise from the boys.

I will post pictures soon of their first days. :( In the meantime, I will be drinking heavily.

We're Back!

I was on a blog hiatus from this one since I was so busy keeping up the surrogacy blog. For those of you who wish to read through that journey- the blog address is: http://www.theirbunmyovenourdream.blogspot.com/.

Since the journey has come to an end, I am committing to keeping our family blog up to date instead. Here is the quickest recap:

The kids are enjoying the last month of summer break before school starts. Carson is now 7 years old and is a fantastic baseball (mesh ball) player. He is a great reader and is growing up so quickly. He just got glasses this month for the first time and looks adorable in them! Gavin is now 5 and is as wild as ever. He loves to be outdoors but can also be found spending hours upon hours playing Wii when we let him. He is not as sporty as Carson yet but enjoys playing t-ball and eating the snack after which is his favorite part. I do have to say though that the kid is FAST! Both and he and Carson are probably the fastest runners on their teams! Morgan is 2 now but acts at least 3 years old! She speaks in complete sentences and will carry on full conversations. She is better on the phone than both boys! Uh-oh, we may be in trouble here! She is slowly potty training now which hopefully will be done by the end of summer. Morgan got a new big girl bunk bed this month which she loves!

We just got back last week from our 9 day family vacation to Clearwater Beach and Orlando, FL. We enjoyed the Beach, Pool, Dinosaur World, Magic Kingdom, Downtown Disney, Disney's Boardwalk, Balloon Ride, Mini golf, Geocaching and so much more! Click on the video montage to see more from our trip.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Next week we are looking forward to another little getaway to include 2 nights camping at Woodhaven Lakes, IL before heading back to Al's hometown for his 20 year high school reunion! Should be a really fun weekend (and even better to have another short work week!)

Hope everyone is enjoying the summer! More updates and pictures to come soon.