Flowers, Flowers & More Flowers

Enjoying a GDO flower shopping for our summer planting :)

Spring Concert

Enjoying the girls Spring Concert tonight as they sing & travel on a road trip through Europe representing Spain & Czech Republic.

Edward Hopper

Gracie had to chose an artist to study, research & write about for this month's school project. She chose Edward Hopper.  Today parents were invited to school to hear their presentation & ask questions.  Wow Gracie you did an amazing job.  Nicely done :)

Me & Jennifer

What a fun GNO in Chicago meeting up with my grade school bestie Jennifer who is visiting from Iowa for a work conference. We have been friends since 2nd grade & no matter how much time goes by we always pick up right where we left off.  Cheers to us XOXOX

Josie's Timeline

Josie's project this week was to create a timeline of her favorite memories from every month in 2nd grade & she had to include pictures too.  We enjoyed the walk down memory lane looking back on her favorite memories.  And by the big smile on her face it looks like it was a good year. But it's very bittersweet for mommy as my baby girl is growing up too fast.  Please slow down Josie Boo!!!

Bring Back Spring

We enjoyed a GDO at the Cubs game with Kathy. Oh my, the weather was cold but we came prepared for the elements & the girls were troopers.  And the Cubs WON too.   Let's Go Cubs!!! :)

Trece De Friday

GNO at Tarasca's enjoying a yummy mexican dinner & a jumbo margarita for mommy :) Happy Friday!!! Ahh the weekend.

Sweet Home Chicago

Field Trip'n today on the Chicago Architectural Boat Tour with my favorite 4th grader.  We learned so many interesting facts about Chicago & a beautiful sunny day skyline view of our beloved Chicago :) #sweethomechicago

Me & My Sister

It was the perfect ending to Mother's Day as we met up in Wrigleyville to watch the Cubs win in extra innings.  It was an 11 inning game but they got it done.  And it's never a dull moment when these crazy cousins get together.  Lots of giggles & funny stories.  And my brother & Renee joined us too. 

Doubly Blessed

Happy Mother's Day from me & my boo's XOXOX

Art by Josie

A Mother's Day drawing from Josie...Me & My Josie Boo :) XOXOX

Mother's Day Bitmoji

Thank you Gracie for making me a bitmoji for Mother's Day.  And all while I was still relaxing in bed :).  Great way to start the day!!!

Seis De Mayo

Hosting a Seis de Mayo party in our backyard since we couldn't celebrate on Cinco De Mayo :) We love our margaritas!!!

Besties

Ellie's birthday festivities continued with a yummy sushi dinner.  One of these besties love's sushi.  Hint...it's not our fun-loving carb & dairy lover Josie. At least it's not an issue in their friendship as they have been besties since they were 2 years old. XOXOX

Happy Birthday Elle

What kind of party do you have when your mom is a fashion designer? A DIY shoe design party!!!  The girls enjoyed decorating their high-tops with their own unique style.  So fun!!! Happy #7 Ellie.

Clair & Gracie

Tuesday Starlet Board Winners...Way to go girls :)

Little Builders

Today Josie's Brownie Troop went on a Field Trip to Home Depot after school.  They built flower planters & planted a flower in them.  Josie was very proud as she made the planter all by herself using a hammer & nails!!!  And for an added bonus she got to bring the HD apron home to wear when she helps Papa with projects around our house :) Now lets bring on some home improvements.

Mexican Night

Papa & Nana head back to Oregon tomorrow but not before we enjoy one more family dinner.  Mexican with all the fixings YUM!!! :)

Sisters

First Communion Day....Gracie 2014 & Josie 2016 .  Same dress, tiara & veil but each of them adding their own personal style & twist :)

God Bless Josie

Josie designed her cake for her First Communion. She wanted her favorite colors so she chose pink & purple flowers for the cross & yellow flowers for the border.  And she insisted on having a chocolate cake with chocolate filling inside as you can never have too much chocolate!! :)  It was delicious & the perfect ending to her First Communion. We love your Josie.

Cheers To Josie

FAMILY :)

Dance Party

This pretty much sums it up :)

They certainly have some moves!!!

Cousin Power

All the cousins minus Mitch who had to leave to go to a baseball game are getting ready to celebrate Josie's First Communion with a dance party.  I'm anticipating some unique & fun dance moves along with some great song requests.

Josie Is Blessed

Josie & her godparents on her big day. She's one lucky girl!!! :)

Josie & The Boys

And Josie was very excited to have her boy cousins "The Stephens Boys" at her big day too!!! :) So much family love today.

Girl Cousins

Josie was very excited that her girly cousins Zoey & Lucy came to celebrate her big day :) Oh my, these girls!!! XOXOX

Josie & Mrs. Connolly

It was an amazing First Communion Day for Josie & her 2nd grade class.  And it wouldn't have been as special as if was without Josie's amazing teacher Mrs. Connolly.  Josie absolutely loves her & she has helped her grow in so many ways this year.  We are very grateful :)

St. Clement First Communion

Happy First Communion to our little lady Josie :)

Josie's First Communion

There is rain in the forecast today but it's dry right now!!! It's a beautiful morning for Josie's First Communion.  God Bless You Josie.

Josie Big Day

She has been anxiously awaiting  this day since 2nd Grade started last fall & the big day is finally here.  She has prayed & participated & practiced to prepare for her First Communion.  She is proudly wearing her big sister's First Communion dress, tiara & veil that Gracie proudly wore two years ago on her First Communion Day.  We love family traditions so it makes my heart happy that when given the option to get a new dress or wear her sister's, she chose wearing her sisters dress.  They wore the same baptism dress too :)  We are now heading to St. Clement Church to join her 2nd Grade Class on their First Communion. We are so proud of you Josie!!!

St. Clement Classic

Tonight we attended the annual St. Clement Classic.  This fun-filled event is where the parents play their son/daughter in a family friendly game of basketball.  So I along with some other parents took on Gracie & the 4th grade girls basketball team.  We certainly had fun & it was a close game.  I'm not sure of the final score as there was a glitch with the score board at the end of the game but Gracie & her friends think they beat us by 2 points.  Re-match next year girls & we are gonna get you :)  Next year, daddy is going to play too!!! :)

Grandparents Day

In honor of Josie's First Communion this weekend, she was able to invite some special guests to school today for a school tour.  She was very excited that her grandparents would be here for her special day so she could show them all of her favorite things about St. Clement & introduce them to her teacher.  By the smiles it looks like they all had a good time & we are all excited for her First Communion.

Starlet Board

Look who's the Starlet Board dancer of the week.  She received it this time not only for her dancing technique but for being kind to the girls on her team.  We are so proud of you Gracie. Keep smiling :)