Tonight was the open house for Tyrus' new school. We were thrilled to be invited to come and see where he'll spend so much time this fall. We met his teachers (TWO of them!) and found out that he'll get to be in the brand new building that is currently under construction. Josh and I both thought it was cool that he'll have two teachers, instead of only one. That's just better, I think.
Anyway, we're excited. I know that he is, too. And I know that he's ready to start this new stage in his life. According to the teacher, the new year begins right after Labor Day. Kindergarten, here we come!
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Monday, May 28, 2007
Wedding Weekend Extraordinaire
So this weekend, Josh's cousin Brendan married the love of his life, Amanda. We were lucky enough to be able to celebrate with them for four days and three nights in the bustling city of Chicago! After lots of taxis, tips, and restaurants, we're home again.
The wedding weekend was simply beautiful. You could tell that a lot of thought went into the activities and details. On Saturday afternoon, we went on an architectural cruise down the Chicago river and learned all about the fabulous buildings that line the city. The kids loved the boat - though Carsten was a tad freaked by the boat motor! :) Toward the middle of the cruise, the rain started, and so by the end, we were pretty wet. Thankfully, I'd had the foresight to bring one umbrella and a few jackets, so all was not lost.
After the cruise, aunt Chris asked if Alexis would like to go visit the American Girl store. Neither she nor I had ever heard of it, but Chris insisted that we'd like it. So we went along and let me tell you, Alexis was in heaven! She loved looking at all of the dolls and hearing about them. In the end, she chose Molly to bring home with her. (Thanks Chris for your generosity...) That was very fun, though after walking back to our hotel, we were all soaked.
Later that evening, we were all invited to the Rehearsal Dinner and Emilio's Tapas. This was such a cool restaurant, and I was able to try a few things there that I'd never had the chance to try before (capers, scallops) and so that in itself was a joy. We stayed late, and the boys fell asleep in the bench.
Sunday morning we joined forces with Josh's cousin Arrowyn, her husband Jason, and their daughter Manzanita and went to the Field Museum. Our kids really connected with Manzanita and loved spending time with her. Dennis and Mary Lou, and their gang all came along as well. It was fun to be able to explore the museum and see the kids experience it as well!
After the museum, it was time to get ready for the wedding. Josh and Ty went off to the guys room to get dressed, and I took Alexis and Carsten. Amanda's friend Amy offered to do Alexis' hair, so we took her up on it, and soon she was looking fabulous.
The wedding was held in the Alder Planetarium, which is this absolutely beautiful glass building right on the water. Tyrus and Alexis looked stunning as they walked down the isle. Alexis LOVED being in the center of attention for that moment! She kept smiling and and smiling. It was so cute and I felt proud!
And Tyrus! Oh my! He looked so handsome and he did a fantastic job! I was very proud once again.
And then came Josh. My love! He was the usher and had the honor of walking his grandmother and Aunt down the isle. Amanda and Brendan were radiating and you could see their love for each other. Everything was simply beautiful.
The reception was magnificent! The food was excellent, the band spectacular, the company good. And really, the fireworks over the sky lined water topped it all off!
Congratulations, Brendan & Amanda!
The wedding weekend was simply beautiful. You could tell that a lot of thought went into the activities and details. On Saturday afternoon, we went on an architectural cruise down the Chicago river and learned all about the fabulous buildings that line the city. The kids loved the boat - though Carsten was a tad freaked by the boat motor! :) Toward the middle of the cruise, the rain started, and so by the end, we were pretty wet. Thankfully, I'd had the foresight to bring one umbrella and a few jackets, so all was not lost.
After the cruise, aunt Chris asked if Alexis would like to go visit the American Girl store. Neither she nor I had ever heard of it, but Chris insisted that we'd like it. So we went along and let me tell you, Alexis was in heaven! She loved looking at all of the dolls and hearing about them. In the end, she chose Molly to bring home with her. (Thanks Chris for your generosity...) That was very fun, though after walking back to our hotel, we were all soaked.
Later that evening, we were all invited to the Rehearsal Dinner and Emilio's Tapas. This was such a cool restaurant, and I was able to try a few things there that I'd never had the chance to try before (capers, scallops) and so that in itself was a joy. We stayed late, and the boys fell asleep in the bench.
Sunday morning we joined forces with Josh's cousin Arrowyn, her husband Jason, and their daughter Manzanita and went to the Field Museum. Our kids really connected with Manzanita and loved spending time with her. Dennis and Mary Lou, and their gang all came along as well. It was fun to be able to explore the museum and see the kids experience it as well!
After the museum, it was time to get ready for the wedding. Josh and Ty went off to the guys room to get dressed, and I took Alexis and Carsten. Amanda's friend Amy offered to do Alexis' hair, so we took her up on it, and soon she was looking fabulous.
The wedding was held in the Alder Planetarium, which is this absolutely beautiful glass building right on the water. Tyrus and Alexis looked stunning as they walked down the isle. Alexis LOVED being in the center of attention for that moment! She kept smiling and and smiling. It was so cute and I felt proud!
And Tyrus! Oh my! He looked so handsome and he did a fantastic job! I was very proud once again.
And then came Josh. My love! He was the usher and had the honor of walking his grandmother and Aunt down the isle. Amanda and Brendan were radiating and you could see their love for each other. Everything was simply beautiful.
The reception was magnificent! The food was excellent, the band spectacular, the company good. And really, the fireworks over the sky lined water topped it all off!
Congratulations, Brendan & Amanda!
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Wonders Never Cease
Today at our church, we had a Friend Day. Everyone invited all of their friends to the service, and then afterwards, we had a pig roast. It was a beautiful day and there was a fantastic turn out. As we went through the food line, Josh got his plate and Alexis' and I got my plate and Ty's. Josh piled his plate with the pork, plus some baked beans and homemade potato salad. I was surprised by the potato salad, since I've never seen him eat it before, but didn't think too much about it.
As we sat down, I watched him eat a bite of the salad, and looked on with amazement as he ate another bite! Wow! I asked him if he actually liked it (knowing he's not big on mayo) and he said, "you know, it's not too bad!"
Yay, I get to make my mom's potato salad now and I won't be the only one eating it! Sweet!
As we sat down, I watched him eat a bite of the salad, and looked on with amazement as he ate another bite! Wow! I asked him if he actually liked it (knowing he's not big on mayo) and he said, "you know, it's not too bad!"
Yay, I get to make my mom's potato salad now and I won't be the only one eating it! Sweet!
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Crazy Carsten
So Carsten is only seven months and he's already begun to pull up against things and try to stand next to them. It's like he's forgotton that he's a baby or something. He's only been crawling for a week, and he acts as if crawling is old boring news now. After he stands up, he'll fall and then he gets so upset because he can't figure out what happend. He has a ton of zest and no skill. It's a very scary combination. I have visions of Alexis as an infant in my head! Sigh.
