Breaking Away

Many of our weekends this spring and summer have involved going to watch Gary race. After an almost two-year hiatus, it is really, really fun to be cheering on our favorite cyclist again!

The early races were COLD and Gary wore fluorescent gloves and shoe covers. We loved this because he was easy to spot coming down the road. Maggie eventually started yelling, "GO DAD!! GO GREEN SOCKS!!"

Attending a race with Mimi and Bops is always more fun. 

Mainly because there are usually treats involved.

Some people prefer the races for other reasons...

Stadium seating.

Maggie LOVES the races. It doesn't matter WHO is going by, she always yells, "GOOOO DADDY!!!!!" He wins every time in her mind.

It doesn't matter how hot it is or how tired he is, the kids are crazy about him when the race is through. What can I say? He makes us all so proud.

Cousins!

Part of my catching-up-posts go all the way back to March! (I can see the shock on your face now. Oh wait - that's just shock from me posting twice in one month, isn't it?)

In addition to our Chicago visitors, I failed to mention that my sister-in-law and "new" baby niece came to visit. What a wonderful time we had with them! It was extra great since usually Kirstin and Jay are only able to come for a weekend or a few days, but this time they were here for an entire week!

Briscoe is simply the sweetest thing. Isn't she just yummy??

No one warned me how incredible it is to be an aunt. A completely unique (and wonderful!) feeling. 

Apparently no one warned Maggie how amazing it is to have a cousin, either. She was elated. Still is. It's now been three months since we've seen Kirstin and Briscoe, and she still prays for them every night. (I'm sorry to say that the other aunts and uncles only make it in sporadically.)

SO many hugs!

How big is Briscoe??

Whenever everyone is together, Bops inevitably ends up somewhere away from everyone else with Maggie and Howie. This time we found him with all three! Somehow I don't think he minds in the least.

The only halfway decent picture of the three cousins. It all went downhill from here:

We all loved our time together. We tried to accommodate schedules as much as possible and alternated between Mimi and Bops and our house (how great to live so close!). We even ventured out to the zoo one day! It was TRUE CHAOS wherever we were, but we enjoyed and soaked up every minute. It's very fun to see the family start filling up with children...we are thankful for cousins!!

The week went WAY too fast, and we all fell in love with Baby B. We simply can't wait to see the Wagemann's again...to say we wish they lived closer is an extreme understatement. I can't imagine how much Briscoe has changed already. I hear she is perfecting her cartwheel and she speaks fluent French.

Spontaneity

One month ago we found ourselves contemplating the fact that Gary was going to be gone every single night one week, and out of town three of those nights. In a last-minute manner very unlike us, on Saturday afternoon we made the decision for the kids and I to spend the week in Chicago, and by dinnertime we were packed and on the road.

We so enjoyed our time with both family and friends that we don't see regularly anymore. Maggie and Howie were in heaven at Gramma and Papa's house, especially in their third floor "toy" room. The weather was picture perfect, and there were several days that we literally had to FORCE the kids to go outside.

Even though there are no pictures to document, I spent a significant period of time down in the city with my sister and some dear friends. It was a highlight of the trip for me for sure, especially since her work and school schedule rarely allow us to see her very much when we are in town.

Having tea with Aunt Heather. I believe she is telling me to "go away" in this picture.

Feeding the ducks at Cosley Zoo. It was so fun to revisit some of our old favorite places!

H-man being H-man.

Maggie and Ellery hamming it up as usual.

"Hey Bud! I might be small, but I'm scrappy! Back off!"

No caption necessary.

Pretending to be race cars with Ella and Noah. I don't think Maggie has a strong concept of what race cars actually are/do, but she was more than happy to run as fast as she could.

She was also more than happy to hold baby Hans. She has a slight obsession with babies. Oh dear.

How many pictures is too many pictures of H in the bathtub?

Both of them LOVED their baths in Gramma's big tub. Uncle Paul walked in during this one. Too bad they weren't happy to see him.

Love this kid.

Munchkins eating munchkins.

I am not exaggerating when I say that these two were literally like this the ENTIRE THREE+ HOURS they were together.

I love these girls. What a special bond we will always have with Charlotte!

Making herself comfortable on the way home.

Another huge highlight for me was that my parents drove back with me and the kids and spent the weekend with us. As a result, Gary and my dad were able to race together on Sunday! It was really cool and very special, and a great way to close our time with them.

What a FUN trip and a great way to kick our summer off!

Hoarders

Maggie currently has three "little" bags that she carries around with her throughout the day. She often asks if we would like to come shopping with her, which really involves just walking around lugging her bags. (I need to teach this girl the value of a stroller and a shopping cart!) Now and then I find her secretly stashing a new object into one of these bags. The consistent theme of these items? Anything that is one of her favorite colors...pink, purple and now red. She is very protective of her bags and these things, but last night I opened one up and snuck a peek.

"Maggie!! I think it's time to go through your bags and clean some of this stuff out."
"No, Mom! I like my bags FULL."

This morning when we got home from church I snuck a peek inside my own bag...

Even though she gets her sorting and attention to detail from her dad, I'm going to venture to say that she acquired some of my genes as well. Ouch.