Welcome Sophie

This is the pathetic face Madi throws my way every time we see a dog on the street, tv, pet store...you name it! Followed shortly by, "Mom, can we have one?" Well now my mom and dad have a dog (Sophie) so i told Madison she can visit them whenever she wants to.
We already got to dog sit for them and turned her into a cubs fan...SORRY DAD...couldn't resist!

I love this picture of Sophie crawling on Madison. She's so lovable and TINY!!!!

Colorado Vacation!

This was the before shot when we climbed 245 stairs up seven waterfalls. The view was absolutely amazing from the top! It was hard work getting to the top and just a bit scary coming down! Our legs were feeling great the next day!
Sarah and I decided to go horse back riding on our first day in Colorado. We took a one hour tour of the Garden of the Gods. Words can't describe how amazing it was to be riding through one the most beautiful places I've ever been on top of a horse. I'll never forget the views I took in that day. Unfortunately, 2 girls on the tour with us fainted WHILE on top of their horses. That part was quite scary. They gave them some water and drove them back to the stables on a 4 wheeler.

Breath taking view of Pikes Peak in the distance while waiting to go horse back riding.

More of Garden of the Gods.

Colorado was much too beautiful to describe in words. The pictures don't even come close to doing it justice. I loved waking up every morning and looking out the hotel window and seeing Pikes Peak!

Of course I did go there primarily on business. The seminars were great as well, and I learned a lot to use not only as a teacher but a parent too!

I have art envy

So I have this friend named Melinda that has been one of best friends ever since 8th grade. She has always had amazing art skills that make me very jealous. Well, she recently started making these art creations that she calls "Upcycled Art" She basically uses her amazing talents and some recycled vinyl wall coverings to create beautiful pieces. I'm excited to own my very first piece that she designed just for me. She can customize any piece for you with your taste in colors and patterns. She can even duplicate something like bedding you have in a bedroom that needs art pieces to match. So if you're interested in her services, let me know and I can give you her info.

(sorry Mel, there was a glare when I took this pic)

I'd also like to mention that the art is even more amazing in person!

Catching up...

Austin and Madison planted some flowers to bring over to their Grandma and Grandpa. We are praying every night for their Grandpa Jerry as he is fighting cancer right now.
Austin and my dad made me this plant stand for Mother's Day this year. I was so surprised and absolutely love it because I don't have anything that my dad has ever made before. Austin picked some Iris's from my garden to put in this vase for my plant stand.

We had great seats for a Harlem Globetrotters game this year. The kids got to go down and meet several players and get their autographs. One of the players name was "Tiny" and he was 7 feet tall. I had never stood next to someone so tall before.

When we were on the court getting autographs, Brian took advantage of sitting on the Chicago Bulls Bench seats. Pretty neat to be walking on the court where some of the greatest Basketball players have played.

Miss Illinois was there and Madi got to shat with her for a little while.

Coming to a computer near you soon

I know it has been a very long time since I have created a new post on here. It's not about being lazy or nothing to talk about...it's because our computer has absolutely no space left on there to hold pictures. So, we're in the process of getting an external hard drive to hold all of our pictures so that we have space on our computer again.

In the meantime, the kids are counting down the days until summer vacation - they have 4 left! I, however, have been counting the days OF my summer vacation. That's right, my school was over 2 weeks before the kids, so I have been enjoying time to myself to relax in a quiet house.

Well, hopefully there will be some pictures to post on here sometime this week!

Bulls Game

We were all pretty excited about going to a Bulls game this year at the United Center. It was the first time the kids and I have ever been there. We had AMAZING seats (thanks J&B) and it was a very exciting game...so we had an awesome time together!
After Austin's team won the championship game we asked him what he wanted to do to celebrate. I meant something like go out for ice cream etc. He said he'd like to go to a Bulls game. Never thought he'd actually get to meet a few players while we were there. 2 players the kids met and got autographs from were no big names...but we did get to meet Joakim Noah.

Waiting patiently for the players to come!!!!

Madison and I even got to meet Benny the Bull. The night we went was Latino night so his name was Benito.

Enjoying the game!!!

Championship Photos

Celtics 38 Spurs 28

I don't have any pictures to post yet...but I couldn't miss this opportunity to tell you all how good Austin did today in his championship game. Austin's team won by 10 points giving them 1st place in his league! The game started off strong with Austin stealing the ball in the first 15 seconds of the game to take it down for his first 2 points. He was on fire from that point on and ended up scoring 20 points in the game. Way to go Austin!!!! Nana and Papa have been his faithful fans along with Brian, Madison and myself this season. Austin was really excited that Uncle David and Kelly were able to come watch him play today too.

The assistant coach lifted Austin up on his shoulders at the end of the game. I have never seen Austin smile bigger than he did at that point.

We are so proud of Austin for working so hard this season.

Exciting day for Austin

Austin meeting Reed Johnson from the Chicago cubs on Sunday.
Austin was excited to wear his Greg Olsen jersey that nana and papa got him for Christmas when meeting Greg Olsen from the Chicago Bears on Sunday.

David Neville is an Olympic gold medalist from our area. Not very often you can say you met an Olympic gold medalist.
Thanks nana and papa for taking Austin to meet all the athletes!!

My family has been so good to me since I have been very sick since Saturday. I finally went to the doctor yesterday to find out I have a double ear, sinus and throat infection. I've also had a high fever since Saturday (this is my first day without a fever and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it's gone for good)

Austin has been asking me what he can do to help and Madison made me this nice tray full of light snacks. The only thing that sounded good enough to eat yesterday was a frosty from Wendy's that my wonderful hubby hand fed to me. Sounds pitiful... but my fever kicked my butt so bad I couldn't even move. The first frosty felt so good on my throat that my dad stopped by to give me another one. I'm sure the calories in those 2 frostys made up for the fact that I haven't eaten anything in 3 days. My mom is on her way over here right now with Subway for lunch and spaghetti dinner for tonight. I don't know what I'd do without my family around to help when I'm sick.