Seattle or bust! Mid July

My first nephew! Their new cousin! Introducing little Ezra Stonewall (5 months)

Everyone loves little Ezzie

Springfield, IL

Abraham Lincoln's home in Springfield

"Mary Todd and Abe Lincoln"

Lincoln tomb. It was a very special place. 

Hotel pool

Frank Lloyd Wright house in Springfield. It was a really interesting tour.

IL state capitol in Springfield. The kids were such good tourists. 

My favorite part of Springfield was the Lincoln Museum. It was so wonderful. I loved all the wax figures and the movies and the civil war pictures. 

Family photos (oops forgot to include these earlier- late May)

Naperville, IL

We went to a rock quarry and went swimming in Naperville where Missy lives. It was a very pretty place. 

It has a 1950's feel to it. 

Josh organized some games for the kids. 

Happy 4th of July!

Second year we have celebrated the 4th with my cousin Emily in Chicago. The kids love riding in the back of the truck to the fireworks. It's so fun. I love the 4th of July. I love the smell of barbecue, I love the heat, I love the feel of fresh cut grass, and the laughter of kids. It's the absolute essence of summer. 

Happy 6th Birthday Little Stuart - June 26th

He had his little school friend, Sully over 

He wanted to wear that vest and backwards!

I love this boy!

opening gifts

Grandpa got him some books in his favorite Who Would Win series (animal fighting books)

Add caption

All his presents. Grandpa gave him the books and mousetrap game. Lela picked out for him the harmonica, glow in the dark stars, and handcuffs. Grandma gave him fishing poles because he always wants to go fishing. Dad gave him the laser tag guns, water guns, and Nintendo switch. We played pin the tail on the donkey, throw a ball in a cup, and balloon toss. We also went to Kentucky Kingdom in the afternoon, but unfortunately got caught in a summer storm. It was actually a bit scary and Stuart was quite upset. But we came home and had pizza and ice cream cake and it was all better. We love you Stuart!

Using the new fishing poles Stuart got for his birthday at Waverly Park.