chi-town fun

just this week we traversed up to chi-town for our annual summer quick getaway.  the kids were so excited to get there to be able to swim in the pool, one would think we didn't live somewhere that it was warm enough to swim, get to ride the "L", watch the cubs play and to see the temple that is special to our family.  well, we did watch the cubs take the field but they never seemed to show up in the batter's box.  they ended up losing or as jason phrased it "got their butts kicked" by the mets 17-1.  we sang during the 7th inning stretch and then headed out to catch the "L".  little miss slept in the sling the entire way to and from the game in the sling.  doodle slept from the 2nd inning until the 7th inning stretch.  priss and swee got to sit by their selves on the "L" and we great for having to walk the entire time since both jason and myself had required kids to carry.  everytime we take the kids to the temple grounds i stand in awe of how quiet it is and the special feeling that comes over me.  the kids love hearing how aunt erica and uncle matt were married there, how i used to go there as a young kid and about how it is because of a temple that their family can be together forever. 

 first swimming suit and first time in a hot tub

 temple fountain (he's holding her pacifier)

 look the angel moroni

looking so grown up

 yearly wrigley field sign pic

 token sleeping child @ cubs game (actually both of the two youngest

 snoozed at one time or the other)

honey had a birthday

blessing day

this beautiful baby girl was blessed today in sacrament meeting.  she slept peacefully through the entire blessing.  we had so many people that love us there to be a part of q's day.  both of aunt lana's daughters were there, along with aunt lana and lauren, 6 of her grandsons, 3 of her granddaughters, and mom's neighbor.  all the grandparents were there along with ggpa.

dance recital

after a little chaos everyone arrived at priss's dance recital.  for awhile ggpa was out of pocket but was found just in time to walk through the doors as she took the stage.  she simply lights up once she takes the stage.  the boys even stayed completely captivated for all 3 HOURS and 54 ACTS that made up the recital.  unlike her cousin, ains, who received a single rose priss had three bouquets but they were all left at home so she was irritated for another reason.  priss did say she liked the competition tap she did the year before but she doesn't want to have to take ballet so she will not be doing competitive dance here until she is older and can just do tap.  it is crazy to think she has already danced for 5 years but she loves dancing and creating her own choreography so i am sure we are just finishing our first 5 years to only add a few more groups of five in the years to come.

world cup champs, two weeks, ticket to nap

priss's team won the world cup soccer tournament a little over a week ago.  her coach had her play offense but her heart was always on the defensive side of the ball.  she would much rather protect the goal more than score.  as soon as the trophies were handed out she asked if she could play in the fall.  we are going to try to instill in her a little bit of a killer instinct to help with playing against older and bigger competition.

 (the girls with their matching hairbows)                               (doodle smooching q - i need to newer one)

this precious little girl is two weeks old now.  she continues to be a calming influence in our home.  everyone races to be the first to ask to hold her, even doodle loves to sit and hold her.  he is so gentle with her that it completely has amazed me.  she loves to be held and would prefer to never be put down so we accommodate her wishes on a daily basis.  a character trait of hers that has already shown itself is that she is constantly making some sort of a noise, while sleeping or when awake.  she truly has completed our family in a way that I didn't realize we needed.  we call her our bonus blessing.

 this afternoon Jason was the lucky recipient of the ticket to nap.  he is completely oblivious to her squawking right now.  duty calls.  but oh how i am loving every minute of it.