Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Back to Jax for some R and R!!

Braylen and I headed to Jacksonville after the Chuckin's left, with mom in tow!! It was great having a helper in the car during the 4 hr drive. We got to mom and dad's and Papa was SO EXCITED to spend some time with Bugman. I was SO EXCITED to have a pool, cool beverages and full time babysitters, woohoo!! It was great having time to relax by the pool and read, I think I read more in 2 days than I have in 10 months. It was fabulous. Braylen made some headway on his crawling, he would take a "step" or 2 and then fall on his belly and roll. That is until we went to Mandi and Andriy's and found the little, pink soccer ball, cat toy. He went after that and away he went, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qa4tROx29gM!! We were so excited and I think it was cool for them to watch Braylen have a milestone in their house!! Although the trip back to Dubuque was 6 hrs, ugh, it was a great time and well worth it!
c

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Our weekend visitors

Mandi, Andriy, mom and Andriy's parents visited this weekend! It was wonderful having his family here in Dubuque to show them around the area and welcome them into our home. I remember being in Ukraine and how difficult it was getting adjusted to the changes and especially the language barriers. They seemed pretty adjusted as they made their way to Dubuque, their final destination in the US! Vala and Vatali brought us gifts, me some massaging slippers, the family a few magnets and chocolate and Braylen a wool vest, he's so handsome!! We started the trip off to see Galena and walk along the streets, we ate some yummy food and ice cream. Braylen tried a little of Mandi's mountain of watermelon sherbet, I think he liked it!!! We enjoyed a dinner at our house and a few drinks on the back deck. The next day was spent at Eagle Point Park watching the barges lock through and then to the river walk. Fortunately it was a pretty nice day and even nicer night with a BEAUTIFUL sunset, we enjoyed some food at Catfish Charlies and then a few more drinks and games at our house. I hope they had fun, I know we did. I'm sure they're glad to be back home, but they're welcome in Dubuque anytime, I'll just have to practice up on my Ukrainian (and by that I mean learn it!!).

Monday, July 19, 2010

Yummm

Abby made a suggestion at the beginning of the summer to join a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) organization which produces organic, locally grown fruits and veggies and delivers weekly to their customers. Jeremy and I decided to share their share and have been getting fresh veggies all summer. Last night I made a yummy dinner, burgers with CSA onions, topped with CSA slaw. Organic potatoes from mom's garden with CSA swiss chard and CSA sauteed patty pan. Can't wait to eat it for lunch again this afternoon!!
OH, I almost forgot the yummy CSA patty pan little squash I sauteed, seriously how can something be so good that I've never even heard of. Food Network is letting me down!!

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Boating in Chicago

Instead of doing a 2nd Cubs game we decided to pull the boat to Chicago and go boating on the Chain O Lakes. It was SO BUSY, but we had a nice time out on a hot day. It was Alana's first time on the boat and it seemed she had a great time. We all got a little sun, had fun and then crashed on the way home, the kiddos did anyway!

Friday, July 16, 2010

Another Successful Cubs game

This Cubs weekend was like the many that proceeded it, early morning, rushing around Jason and Angie's house while having a bloody mary or vodka and OJ, it is 8:30 on a Friday after all! Except this year there were a few extra rug rats running around, Alana and Braylen. Both went to the babysitter while we had fun at the game, but by the looks of things, seems like they had a great time too! We got on the train and headed out to watch the Cubs, hopefully, win. We got off the train onto a bus and then a little BK to tie us over for the "long" walk to the bar. Piano Man welcomed us with open arms and we were "home"!! It's funny how so many things can change, but when we keep tradition going, every thing's pretty consistent!! Fortunately, we were at the winning game and although hotter than I ever remember in past year, a great game and day! Angie and I headed back early to pick up the little ones and the others stuck around a bit for a few more celebratory drinks. When I picked up Braylen I was forewarned, with a phone call, that he had a pretty good scratch on his eye from falling. I was sure it was going to turn into a shiner, but not much more than a red scratch for a few days. We had so much fun at the game and just as much fun at home with the 2 pumpkins!!

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Boys Palooza, no girls allowed, only moms!!

We had boys, boys, boys at our house last night. My friend Jen George was in town yesterday from TX with her 2 boys and Alesha and her boys met at our house for dinner. Jen met Braylen, Ty and Easten for the first time and we met Elliot for the second time. It was lots of fun hanging out and talking about the kids, oh how times have changed. The role call goes Spencer, 5, Elliot, 1, Braylen, 9 months, Ty and Easten, 8 months. After everyone left Jeremy said to me, "I'm so glad you don't do day care." I think it was a little too chaotic for his liking and the toys strewn around the house didn't help much either!!

Monday, July 12, 2010

Finally...

I have been waiting for Braylen's newest development for months now...he can sit up from laying down!! He used to fuss after falling backwards because he wanted to be sitting and now he can pull himself up to sitting, whew!! We knew he could do it because we've found him in his crib sitting after naps and in the morning, but we weren't sure if he was using the crib bars. Sure enough Sunday morning he showed us how! No crawling yet, but we're getting very, very close.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bq70sLon2eg

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Congrats Dave and Sara

Jeremy was in Dave and Sara's wedding on Saturday. It was a great time and, unfortunately, we paid for it Sunday, ugh!! While we were at the wedding grandma babysat and played with Bug, I think they both had fun. Here are some pics of the boys, 2 of the cutest I know, and of the wedding festivities!!