Meg has Pierced Ears!

After Meg's last soccer game we went to Claire's to get her ears pierced. She was so excited about getting them done that she managed not to cry. What a trooper.

Xtreme Trampoline Birthday

To celebrate Meg and her best friend's birthday we did a mini-party with a small group of friends Saturday. After some jump time we did lunch at Augustino's Rock n' Roll Deli.

Zach's Birthday and Uncle Bobby's Visit

The first weekend in June Uncle Bobby came to visit from Florida. He got to see the chaos of the class birthday party Friday night. Saturday Grandma joined us and cheered for St. Cletus at the Pet Parade. That afternoon Josh came up and the neighbors came over to celebrate Zach's 7th birthday. It was a wonderful weekend!

Class Birthday Party

June 3rd Zach and 2 of his buddies did a combined class birthday party at the Oak Brook Park District Pool. They had a blast hanging out with all their friends.

Halloween and Meg's Bday Party

Well, we survived! 11 girls got their hair, nails and make-up done in our "pre-costume" party celebrating Meg's birthday. Thank you to everyone who made it work, the girls all had a great time.

After the party we did some trick-or-treating, of course.

Happy Halloween!

Meg's 9th Birthday

We are happy to report, we made it through our whirlwind weekend!

Saturday after Zach's rainy soccer game we drove to Indy for the annual McLean Pumpkin Carving. We celebrated Meg's birthday, carved pumpkins and enjoyed seeing all the cousins, aunts and uncles and Grandma and Grandpa. That night we also celebrated with Cousin Allison and Grandma Chris.

Sunday we headed back home so Meg could sing with the Children's choir at 11am Mass. Grandma Chris came along with us to see Meg sing, play volleyball and attend the Festival Choral Concert where Chris and Elizabeth sang. It was a long day, but we made it though and Meg enjoyed her birthday weekend.

Looking tough?

I believe this is supposed to be a picture of the boys looking tough at Zach's birthday party. Zach had a great time Friday with 25 of his closest friends partying at the MAX. They played floor hockey and dodgeball and then played in the inflatables. We did a combined party with another boy from his class and it worked out perfectly.

Pre Game - I Am An American!

Due to Zach being sick this was a dad & daughter and mom & son bonding weekend.

Meg and I left Elizabeth and Zach in Chicago to head to Lafayette on Saturday. It was the annual reunion game fro Grandma Chris and her college pals. We watched Purdue defeat the Illini on a dreary cold day. Afterwards we caught up, ate lasagna, and celebrating Meg's birthday. Zach and Elizabeth video conferenced in so they could enjoy everything (except the lasagna).

Blue Man Group

Zach loved seeing Blue Man group on Sunday. He had been asking to go for 2 years, but you have to be 5 years old. So that's what Zach got for his 5th birthday. Unfortunately, he refused to stand next to one of them for a picture after the show. Pictured here is Meg with our friends Johnny and Charlie.

Zach's 5th Birthday Party

-Friday Grandma Chris took care of the kids as it was the last day of school.
-Saturday Uncle Bobby and Josh drove up to watch the kids soccer games and celebrate Zach's birthday. The kids had a great time on the jumper we borrowed from a friend. That evening our neighbors joined us for dinner and dessert. Zach fell asleep after dinner, but was happy to get up to open his presents.

Jedi takes out Princess

Saturday we went to a birthday party at the indoor playground in LaGrange. The boys were very excited when Santa made them all balloon lightsabers. The girls, however, were not amused.

Happy 7th Birthday Meg!

Meg had a wonderful birthday weekend. Thursday she celebrated her birthday at school. She brought in cookies and the kids all made her birthday cards. That night we had Gene and Dale over for ice cream and Meg opened her presents.

Friday the kids were out of school. We went with a big group to see High School Musical 3 and then out to lunch. That night Meg had a Girl Scout Sock Hop and Zach met some friends at a local Halloweenn party.

Saturday after Mass we drove to Lafayette and celebrated with Grandma Goellner and Uncle Bobby. Somehow we didn't their picture, but you can see the cute brownie cake here.

Meg had a great time, but she was exhausted Monday morning. She has a field trip today, so it will be another fun day for her.

Meg's 7th Birthday Party

There are 5 girls in Meg's class that have October birthdays so we combined efforts on a class party. Everyone had a great time at Pump it Up.

Birthday Boy

Today was Chris's birthday. We went out for breakfast at a new diner, Dizzy's. It was a cute little place and we had a nice time there. The kids loved the jukebox. That afternoon we went to a birthday party for one of the kids in Zach's class at Pump it Up, always a good time.

Thank you for everyone who sent cards and gifts and those who called with well-wishes!

Grandma's Visit

Grandma came up to help us with the kids on Sunday. We took her out for a birthday dinner Sunday night and then she took Meg to her first day of school on Monday. Zach has his first day on Tuesday.

Zach is 4!

Zach had a rockin' birthday. Saturday night we celebrated with Grandma, Uncle Bobby, Josh, Gene and Dale. Zach loved all of his presents. Sunday we invited Zach's class to join us at Ravinia to see Ralph's World. It was wet and muddy, but everyone had a blast.

Birthdays Everywhere

It seems like April is the month for birthdays... Saturday we celebrated our neighbor's 80th birthday. Sunday we went to the Garfield Park Conservatory. They were celebrating the 100th birthday of the conservatory. We saw lots of cool things there. More birthdays this week...

Look Who's 6!

Wednesday

• Meg opened presents before school
• Celebrated at school with her class
• Celebrated after school with friends
• Had a Halloween party at gymnastics

Weekend

• Halloween Birthday Party/Sleepover
• Purdue-Northwestern Game
• Annual McLean Family Pumpkin Carving

The Party Crew

Friday
Visited a Pumpkin Patch

Saturday
Soccer Game
Meg's Birthday Party
Mass

Sunday
Boo at the Zoo

Happy Birthday Uncle Bobby!

Lets do this in reverse...

Sunday, Uncle Bob celebrated his 21st birthday on so we drove down to help the party. The kids loved getting to see Uncle Bob, Grandma and Josh.

Friday, school was closed. Dad and the kids had a busy day together. Dunkin' Donuts and hiking at the Morton Arboretum in the morning. Then the children's museum and finger painting in the afternoon.

Monday, President's Day, Meg stayed home sick. Later that day, Zach made his stage debut in the 2's room production of Goldilocks and the 3 Bears. Stay tuned and we will put up a video soon.