ROB TURNS 45!!

Tonight we went to Cara's Mongolian BBQ to celebrate Rob's 45th birthday!! We were happy to have the McKeown's join us for dinner. Afterwards, we came home and opened presents. Adam wanted dad to have some new "cool" clothes, so that's what he got, along with a pair of shorts, running socks and a cover for his new grill. Happy birthday Rob!

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL

Today was not only the last day of school for the kids...it was the last day of elementary school for Adam. I thought I had gotten through my emotions about ten days ago while driving the kids to school one morning and realized there were "only 10 days left of school". Well that really got to me that day and I cried all the way to work thinking how fast these past six years have gone. This morning, however, I was just ready to get the day over and let summer officially begin. Then picking them up tonight after Scope it hit me again just how grown up my first born is. He will never again go to Dubois School. He will never again go to the Scope program (although that brings joy, not sadness!) and we will never again attend a parent/teacher conference for him at that school. As I am staying on as President of the PTO next year, it will be strange having only one child going to school there. And as excited as we are for Adam to start Lincoln Magnet in the Fall, I am very glad I have all summer to get used to the idea of him being in middle school! Today is definitely a milestone in his life, and Rob and I couldn't be more proud of him if we tried. He is such a great kid and we thank God everyday for choosing us as his parents!

This morning...bring on the last day already! Adam and a few of his friends
Emily and some girls after school
Goodbye Dubois (for summer anyway!)

I just had to find a picture of Adam's first day of kindergarten to compare to today's picture...

All grown up :(

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

Summer officially starts at our house with the first swim of the season! For us, that was Friday night of Memorial Day weekend.

Emily modeling her new swimsuit

Emily learned to jump in the pool at the end of last summer, so this year she's ready to go!

Mt. Carroll Bowling Center

Rob and the kids took a trip to Mt. Carroll last weekend to visit our friends the Roiland's and the Bochat's. They have done a great job renovating the bowling alley and restaurant. Looking forward to going back with they are up and running!

Emily and Besty

Jenine, Bill, Adam, Karen, Celeste, Emily, Karen Ann and Ken

Mother's Day 2010

I woke up on Mother's Day to find Rob and Emily busy in the kitchen cooking breakfast. The table was set and in the middle some very pretty flowers, along with a nice letter from Emily. It was nice to all have breakfast together; then we hustled to get ready for a baseball tournament in Jacksonville (who was the DAD that scheduled games on Mother's Day??) Anyway, we got to the game and just got clobbered. We played a travel team from Indiana and after two innings, we were down 16-0. Needless to say, the game was called. Which was fine with me...more time to enjoy my day with my family :) Since it was such a beautiful day, we decided to open up the pool, which is always exciting because it means summer will soon be here!!!! We had grandma over for dinner that night and I went to bed thinking how lucky I am to have such wonderful family who I love with all my heart and who loves me back!

Beautiful blooming bushes in the backyard!

ETHAN'S 10TH BIRTHDAY

We spent last weekend in Wheaton for Ethan's birthday. It was a busy weekend with two soccer games and Ethan's party on Saturday, but the kids had a great time playing Lazer Tag and video games and it was fun to spend the whole weekend with the Russell's!

ROB, JEN & BRET NIGHT!!

Saturday night Rob and I went to Peoria to see the Rivermen hockey game and then the Bret Michaels Band concert afterwards. We had a nice dinner at Joe's Crab Shack on the river before the game. We sat in the third row center ice for the game, then got to go down on the ice right in front of the stage for the concert. I have the best husband who is a very good sport about my massive crush on Bret!! It was a fun time just the two of us!