Elke

We love our Elke(pronounced Elka).  The kids love her being around and can't wait until her next visit.  This is the little girl I babysit, I think I have mention her before...Anyway here are a few pics of my loving on baby E.

 waiting for her clothes to dry

G reading to Elke

random may

enjoy!

 Nolan's first trip to the ER for nursemaid elbow

 my hubby

 the kids enjoying a little movie

lots of learning going on 

milk does a flower good, right mom...

all nolan 

 an original Gracie design

 in bed selfie but the light was so bright we all closed our eyes

 my love and i

The girls and I hit up pitch perfect 2 at the new theatre with lounge chairs 

nolan trying to sleep 

chair redo sorry no pics of it finished 

Gracie & Dede playing on Memorial Day weekend 

 time with Micah &Kathrina

 fun snack for the kids

 them posing

 some style right there

yum mom 

 my crazy nolan love this kid!

finally picked my christmas gift;)

April Random

Just some random fun pic...

nolan and I enjoying a snack

off to another day of adventures

I love when I get to just cuddle

what's life without girl friends & PF Changs

Friends Visit

As you go threw these post you may notice how we go from summer wear back to fall due to the random Chicago weather.

Our friend Abby got to spend the day with us and she was so sweet.  Her mom happens to be one of my besties from college and was in my wedding.  It's like having a mini Julie around it so strange and funny at the same time.

Princess Party

Not a lot to say except another Birthday party loving the Frozen world.  Two young girls who sang beautifully played Elsa and Anna and gracie was in love.

she really held Elsa's hand as much as she could

proud of her hair

playing princess says

not shy at all

Girls Weekend #2

My second weekend in March I headed with the girls to the Hearts at Home moms conference.  The girls and I checked into the hotel and headed out for a girls night out diner, this means fancy with no kids kind of place, thank you Lord!

I had been told the conference was really good.  Truth be told I was a little skeptical.  Friday night was Mom's Night out, it started with a band that took a popular song and change the words to something cheesy.  I looked at my friend Kate and said how long is this, cheesy comedy would be hard to sit through for two hours.  But I was warned before the comedian came out that we should have worn depends and she was right.  Ken Davis came onto the stage and I never stopped laughing, hilarious!

We had a wonderful night of conversation and got up the next day ready to be feed.  It's amazing having that many women in one place that love the Lord.  There were so many amazing speakers and each speaker I attended, I filled my journal with notes and my heart was filled.  It was a very neat experience and can't wait to go again.

It's truly amazing the difference a 4am friend makes in your life and I am so glad to have a handful of those that live close and far.  It makes my whole life different.  One of my friends, not pictured, reminded me there is no reason to live on an island when there are people that will come along side of you and love you and pray for you.  Friends who will ask more then once are you sure you are doing ok?  I love this blessed time.

Below is a few of us girls that went.  This picture is missing 5 other ladies that also attended.

Kate B, Me

Christina, Kathy, Julie

Girls Weekend #1

After Troy was gone for 10 days in February, I thought it only right that I would take two weekends for myself:) I was very excited.  The first weekend of March I spent the weekend with my two bests from my University days, Julie & Lily.  We meet up and stayed in fabulous hotel where we caught up on life and had a fantabulous time chatting that didn't stop until our heads hit the pillows and then started all over again the next day.  We went to our favorite place to eat, PF Changs, this was our spot in college for special girls nights, went to a comedy club, and what's a girls weekend without a quick trip to Target for snacks.  We went out for breakfast, visited an ikea to find chairs, and then out for an early dinner.  It was a wonderfully filled weekend of laughing and no kids to run after, we loved it.

loved my time with them