Getting Summer Started!

We've had a great start to summer! Gavin was recently given a nice honor by his baseball teammates.  He was chosen alongside 3 other players to represent his team in the league-wide All-Star game at Roemer Park.  It was a beautiful day at the park and we are very proud of Gavin's hard work throughout his season.

We also had a blast at our annual Lawndale Block Party, where we close the street for a big neighborhood party.  The firefighters stopped by with their truck with the tall ladder and gave some cool demonstrations.  They also let all the kids have a turn operating the water hose - that was a highlight for sure!

My best friend from the early days, Lori, and I got together for an NKOTB concert - one of our favorite bands from our early teen years.  We might only see each other a couple times each year, but it's always as if not a day has passed!  We have so much fun.

We also went out to Clarendon Hills for the annual Daisy Days festival.  We love the live animal show and riding the fun rides!  And we always enjoy getting to spend time with Grammy and Grandpa Brown and the Tieman crew.

We celebrated Erik on Father's Day!  We are so grateful for all he does for us and for all the joy and goodness that he brings into the world. We spent a lovely morning at Gillson Beach and the kids gave him his new favorite water glass as a gift!

We also celebrated Cassie's 10th birthday!  She had a fun sleepover with friends.  They had lots of plans; they painted art canvases in the backyard, had dinner and cake and watched a movie before taking over the 3rd floor to sleep.  We also celebrated with Grandma and Grandpa Reder last month when we were in Lexington, and we celebrated with Grammy and Grandpa Brown and the Tieman family on her actual birthday, too!  She is very loved!

Waking up to birthday waffles!  Double digits!

Brothers can enjoy a sleepover party, too!

Opening Hamilton tickets - she was SO excited!

Lastly, just a few more photos of summertime.  Erik spent a morning with the kids at Lovelace Park, just around the block from our house, doing a little fishing!  Also, we spent a lot of time chalking the sidewalk and enjoying the lakefront.  Ahhh, summer.

May/June Happenings

We've kept ourselves busy for the past few weeks! Cassie took part in Chicago's "Girls on the Run," which culminates with a 5K through downtown Chicago. This organization's mission is to empower young girls and it's a great experience for the girls as well as the adults in their lives that run alongside them. I had intended on running with Cassie again this year (I loved it last year!), but Tyler was up restless much of the night before (which means I was up too), so Erik took the early wake up call and ran the (rainy!) race with Cassie. I was sad to miss it, but it actually turned out to be a great event for the two of them to enjoy together! Way to go guys!

This spring we also had 2 high school graduates in our family! Two of our cousins, Ethan and Michael, completed their senior year of high school and will be headed for college in the fall. We joined them to celebrate! First was Michael's graduation in Lexington, and next was Ethan's in Lafayette. We are so proud of these two and love that they serve as such great role models for our kids. Congrats, Ethan & Michael!

Gavin had a school project that required him to study a famous person in history and dress in character to present his/her life facts. Families were welcome to come view all the presenters, so Tyler and I popped over to school and enjoyed all the 2nd graders' hard work! Gavin chose Babe Ruth; we are proud of his great effort as he researched and presented!

Cassidy also had a school project - they are studying the 50 states in grade 4, and she was given the state of Indiana as her research topic. She had to create a 3D posterboard, complete with tiny artifacts/items to place on the map that would help to represent her state. Tyler and I once again got to join the class over at school to view all their hard work. We were impressed - great job, Cassie!

Gavin's baseball team had a fun game at Roemer Park - it's always a treat to have his little league team play at this park!

Had to snap a photo with all the wonderfully supportive dads on this team!  Practices are a real group effort.  We are lucky to have them all!

Well, the school year has now come to a close. Tyler says goodbye to the preschool building, as next year he'll be in Junior Kindergarten over in the main school building. His classmates had a fun party on their last day of school. Cassidy and Gavin are now finished with grade 4 and grade 2, respectively. The time sure flies! They are ready for a fun and relaxing summer!

Tyler with one of his favorite teachers, Mrs. Clohisy (or, Mrs. C!)

First day of summer - can you tell they are ready to relax?!

Lastly, with the house next-door vacant, a mother bird (a robin) decided the family room windowsill, which faces our kitchen window, would be the perfect place for a nest. We liked it too, because we got a front row seat to the daily activities of the mama bird, as well as the baby birds that followed! We snapped this photo on a day when they were really hungry!