Girlfriends

I was looking at the other post and the pictures of Marie and Jacqui just didn't do them justice. So I wanted to add a few more cause that's what girlfriends do.

Reunion Part 2

Awesome view from Aunt Jacqui' and Uncle John's deck, our gracious hosts

Aunt Jacqui reading Marie the book she gave us at the baby shower

Daddy and Marie blocking Momma from the Ann Taylor store on Michigan Avenue

Some pals at the American Girl store. Bought nothing but Jim dug the babydoll hair salon

Marie's favorite dish at the Chinese restaurant

We had a reunion with 7/9ths of our Jiangxi Travel Group AKA The Lin Sisters (all the girls originally were named Lin something). It was in Chicago and, as we are expecting to write a check soon to South Korea, we opted out of the hotel and stayed with friends. This would've saved us money if I hadn't clipped the tail light of a Ford Explorer on the way back from the zoo...it was a good plan, at least.

We met up with the group on Friday morning at the aforementioned zoo and I was in shock for a good hour, I think. Marie too. It was hard to absorb that we were all together again. We didn't do anything major other than just hang out and play all weekend. It really was overwhelming emotionally and we made a committment to continue with our reunions. We are thrilled with that.

It was amazing to see how well the girls were matched to their families, the Hand of God. The tiny petite girl with quite the expressive personality was in a family of petite, expressive women. The always-on-the-go-girl-who-never-takes-naps was with a stay-at-home Mom who has enough energy and patience to parent her. And on and on...of course, we already knew that Marie was meant to be our daughter!

I don't know how to describe the weekend. It was especially nice to come "home" each night to Jacqui and John's...Jacqui being my best friend from 3rd grade on. To tell them about the day made it even better. Thank you again for allowing us to stay!

Reunion Part 1

The Fam together at Lincoln Park Zoo

Big big fan of ice cream

L to R Mia M., Sophia, Brinkley, Kaylee, Lucy, Mia G. and Marie

The Girls

Twirling in the Lobby

Cousin-palooza

Lovin' big cuz Luke. Luke and his family spent the weekend of the 4th at our house.
While the big girls and their dad's checked out the Blue Angels air show, Marie and Luke went out to the Big Lake and spent the afternoon at Lake Michigan. Marie and Luke had fun playing together - this consisted mostly of eating together, sharing popsicles and jumping. Ah...the fun of ages 2 and 3!

Beautiful Baby Butt!

"NO Mama! NO pictures!"

"Momma didn't bring me a suit. Foolish momma. I will go in anyways. "

Marie's two older girl cousins spent the week after the 4th with us. One day, we met Aunt Dottie at the beach to collect rocks for painting. I was told, quote, "It's like a fall day here," so I didn't bring Marie's suit. Thankfully, I did bring the big girls' theirs as they both went in swimming. The water was gorgeous and wavy - the girls had a blast. Then they had pizza and painted their rocks. It was quite the creative splurge by all. A small portion of the rocks are now decorating our front walk in memory of a great day!

Yet Another Reason...

...why I love my husband. He is a caring and thoughtful man, handsome and strong and oh-so-ironically ticklish. Little kids love him and love to discover his ticklish secret (perhaps with some big hints from others.) These little girls were entranced with "Jim-antics" for a good half-hour last night. Marie today insisted on watching the videos over and over. Oddly enough, she had a diffiult time sleeping last night after all this hammock hoopla. I wonder why???