Another Family Visit

After we came home from vacation, we had the wonderful opportunity to see my brother and sister-in-law and their two kids. I hardly see them because of the geographic distance, but each time I do, I get so darn excited. Mom, Dad, Angie, Zack, Scott, Char, Zoe, and Marcus all joined us for a couple days of fun. We got to catch up, go to the Natural History Museum and enjoy lunch and pastries in Little Italy. The time flew by and I can't wait to see them again!

Summer Vacation: Turks & Caicos

Another amazing family vacation. Every two years, Greg's family takes a combined vacation. In 2006, we ventured to Paris, followed by Outer Banks in 2008, Atlantis in 2010 and, this year, the location was Turks and Caicos in the Caribbean. Simply gorgeous location and fantastic weather. We were able to try new activities, including Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP), kayaking and the aqua cycle. Meg and I squeezed in the traditional core fusion yoga class at Exhale Spa in the Gansevoort resort, which was set against beautiful folage and a breathtaking view of the ocean. Our yoga instructor may have been one of the best we've ever experienced. We enjoyed two nights of family outdoor movies, ate way too much food, sampled too many drinks to name, and lounged non-stop in the pool. We are excited to see what 2014 brings!

View from our room. We had the amazing pleasure of waking up every morning to the sights and sounds of the ocean.

Lots of pool time. The Lazy River may have been one of my favorite lounging spots. Megan and I would float while Bridget tried to direct our floats toward the waterfalls so we'd be drenched. The waterslide was hands down Bridget's favorite and the pool bar (with a drinking age of 18) became Meg's favorite. Such fun!

The character breakfast was exciting for the kids. They got to meet and dance with Bert & Ernie, the Count, Cookie Monster, Big Bird, Abby Cadaby and Zoe from Sesame Street.

Such a beautiful picture of the two cousins!

Love this picture of Greg and Kim.

Fun morning excursion on a submarine so that we could see all the ocean life. We saw huge starfish, sting ray, barracuda and some of the most colorful fish!

Meg getting ready to sweat during a very physical core fusion yoga class!

Can you believe the amazing backdrop of this location? Such a gorgeous sky and a trip that we will always remember!

Megan and Locks of Love

It's contagious in our family. Either that or the summer heat is hitting hard! But this week, Megan joined in the hair donation program captured in these 3 pictures.

Look, Mom, No Training Wheels!

The excitement and milestones just keep coming in this household. Yesterday, Bridget learned to tie her own shoes (on a pair of Chuck Taylors!). Then today, she learned to ride her bike without training wheels. So much excitement and growing up!

It started one day in August 1999 with my little one going off to kindergarten, like this...



And in the blink of an eye, we found ourselves celebrating her high school graduation on June 8, 2012!

Megan's Baccalaureate Program

Very busy weekend at this house. Friday evening, we celebrated Bridget's preschool graduation. Saturday evening was the Red Hot Chili Peppers - outstanding concert by Anthony, Flea and Chad. Then we topped off Sunday with Megan's Baccalaureate program. She was a speaker reciting Wear Sunscreen, advice by Mary Schmich written in the Chicago Tribine in 1997. Very exciting times here.

Bridget's Preschool Graduation

I'm not sure how it's possible to have a preschool graduation and a high school graduation all occur in the same household in the same week, but it certainly did here. My little doodlebug graduated from preschool June 1. It was a wonderful little evening affair, in which she told the audience that when she grows up she wants to be an acrobat! I still have no idea what I want to be when I grow up, but I love knowing that at least she has a plan. Best of all, the graduation program ended with her teacher playing Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO and all the kids danced from the stage to the outside hallway. So darn cute!

Congratulations, Bridget!