June (Warmth and Carolina)

We loved our week in South Carolina in June. The highlight of the trip was being at the temple with Grammy and Gramps on Saturday, but unfortunately my phone died while I was in the temple so I didn't get a single picture the whole day.

We enjoyed hanging out with all the grandparents in their homes:

(Chickens at Lala's)

(Wildflower walk at Lala's)

(Nora's swing set at Lala's)

(Aquarium fun with Grandpa and Grandma)

(Feeding stingrays)

(Celebrated my birthday at my Dad's, and Nora tried to steal my wish!)

On my actual birthday, my mom made a delicious breakfast complete with a crepe cake!

That night I had one of the best birthday parties I've ever had! My Mom and sister worked hard to fulfill my 13-year-old wish list, including a rainbow chip Barbie cake.

Also thanks to Betsey (Buck's sister) we were able to play an old classic board game, Dream Phone. The highlight of the party was a fabulous round of Truth or Dare. 

(Bekah licking a bar of soap)

(Some of my dear friends)

Amy, far right, brought some very old pictures of us from 4th great on. Here are a few gems:

(Yep, that's ME and Amy)

(Me and Amy again)

I'm so thankful to have great old friends that are loving, supportive, and good sports. What a blessing it is to have dear friends, even if you only see them every few years.

With the weather so nice this month, and few things scheduled I've really felt like taking the kids places. We spontaneously entered Millie in the Swedish Day's (Geneva's big festival) Children's Parade. She loved decorating her bike, but her favorite part was riding in the parade and ringing her little bell the whole time. It was adorable. Louis and I walked beside her.

Afterwards we enjoyed playing some little games in booths, eating yummy food and watching some dancers perform. Normally I would wait for Buck to do something like this, but I'm so glad I didn't. We tried to go back up on Saturday with Buck and got completely stranded at the Mall in a horrible rain storm.

I also braved a major crowd at a local restaurant for Millie and her little friend Paige to meet Elsa and Anna. When we showed up there was a 3 hour wait to eat, and no hope of seeing them unless you ate. After a while they came out to appease the (huge) crowd outside, and thanks to some aggressive Mommy tactics I was able to get the girls in a picture with Anna and Elsa. I don't think they'll ever know what it took for those pictures, but they were so happy. After the pictures we quickly got out of there and ate at Wendy's. Millie and Paige were a huge hit as they were obviously the only one dressed as princesses there. Paige's Mom made the girls matching Elsa capes for the event, and they were huge hits. Louis often bring it to me for him to wear. Did you know he like to sing "Let it go?"

We celebrated our 7th anniversary, and besides more lava cakes (hey, we like chocolate!) it was an average Sunday for us. It's been a wonderful 7 years. Did you know we share an anniversary with my Tutu and Rara?

May (School's Out and Thriftcation)

May seems like forever ago. It was a lovely, mostly warm month for us. We enjoyed starting to really play outside, sometimes even in the water. We went to our first primary activity! There was a primary day at the Chicago Temple. The temple is really unique looking, and has a very interesting water fountain in the front that both of our children couldn't get enough of. It was a lovely Saturday family outing.

(Millie took this of Buck and I)
Millie attended her last day of school. This is her with Miss Kathy, her bus driver. Miss Kathy is also a local artist and does some really neat work. You can find her site here if you want to see what I mean. She has been a fabulous, patient and loving bus driver. Millie fought going to school a few times, but she was able to calm her down and occupy her mind with made up stories about Miss Kathy's cat, Pumpkin. We really appreciate her.

Millie also finished a gymnastics class she had been taking. She didn't love it like she loved dance, so I think that's the end of her gymnastics road for now. I think it's right down Louis' alley though...until he can really get into sports. He jumps off of everything he can, and will throw his head down for a somersault so quickly to impress people. He also feels best having a ball in his hands and often takes one to bed with him.

I took a trip I had been dreaming about with my friends in May. We went to Madison, Wisconsin for a Thriftcation. It was such a beautiful, clean, delicious town full of well stocked thrift stores. We had an absolute blast shopping, eating, and even jumping on the hotel beds. We started planning this trip to help get us through the winter, but by the time it came around it ended up being a farewell for one of my good friends, too. So it was bittersweet, but wonderful.

(Delicious breakfast)

( you haven't truly thrifted until you've been to a dig-n-save)

Of course I need to brag about some of my finds!

(Vintage books)

(Lonely Kokeshi with umbrella)

(The grand prize...an old milk container for $6!)

I also collected lots of vintage linens and clothing. My heart skipped a beat paying a few cents for each piece at the dig-n-save.