30th Birthday with my buds

The weekend before the big birthday Chris, Mel and my buddies Tessie and Deccie (as Will calls them) came down to the city for an awesome morning.  We hit up the playground first.  Will and Tessa managed to get VERY dirty in the baseball diamond and Deccie carried around every golf ball in the ball bag.  Then we had an awesome lunch at John's place followed by Sweet Mandy B's.  A #1 spot for Melissa and me!!!  What a fun day we had.  The cousins love each other so much its so neat to watch.  Will was BONKERS he was so excited.  Basically screamed, sang and danced the whole lunch in excitement.  Lets just say thank goodness for outdoor seating!

Dirty dirty boy

My boys and their Cook Cooks

Making the big decision - cookie or cupcake.  We got both!

Checking out the cupcake window

Wills vacation at home

Jason and I had the most amazing weekend in Kholer for a early 30th birthday celebration/last get away til new baby gets here.  We had an AWESOME time but I am pretty sure Will had an even better time at home with his total BFF Da Bob Bob and Grandma.  Thank you mom and dad for watching Will - when we got home he basically starting crying looking for you guys :)

Dinner at The American Club

Proof we did get away :)

Will bossing Da Bob Bob around

Da Bob Bob's little helper

Most favorite new activity - building really long balance beams and walk down them

Annual Fall Trip to CT

This year our fall trip to CT came with MUCH MUCH MUCH anticipation.  Yes both Will and I had really been looking forward to a Shady Glen hot dog but the real excitement was EM AND JAMESY WHERE GOING TO BE THERE!!!!!!!!  Back from Ireland - Finally.  After 5 long months of waiting and talking about this trip it was finally here.

We had an awesome week.  We did so many fun things but the best times were just giving the boys baths together watching them swim all over each other, play cho cho trains, Will following Jamesy every move and the constant talking between Will and James.  James was so patient with Will.

First up was our trip to Johnny Apple Seed.  Will has talked about "Apples and Em" just about every day since going apple picking.  Apparently Em was the only one he really cared about on our outing and he is now VERY into apples.  We had yummy lunches at Shady Glen, a girls night outing to OG and EVERY store in Evergreen and lots of fun in the back yard.

Next year our fall trip will include two more!! WOW hard to believe but I have a feeling it will just keep getting better :)

Back together! Will 19 Months, James almost 2.5

Apples!!!

Grandma helping Will snatch an apple - which he would immediately eat

Framer!!!  Love this curly haired boy

Grandma and two (of three) of her boys

"James I can fit in there too - really I can"

Reading a book together.  So sweet

Laughing at some stupid noise I was making - at least someone liked it

Playing so well in the sandbox

My early 30th Thomas the Train party hosted by James!!

Party of 4? YES PLEASE!!

For all my readers out there (all 5 of you that actually already know this :) ) we have big news - we are expecting Baby Pope #2 Feb 25th 2013!!!

We are so super excited!!!  People keep asking if we have told Will yet and I kind of just laugh because he is still such a baby himself and wouldn't even get what we were telling him but it is crazy I think somehow he knows!  He looked right at me the other day at church and said "baby" - haha.   He has been super into talking about babies and pretending his animals are babies so who knows!  Maybe the little guy does know!  Needless to say we are in for the best adventure of our lives!

Will 19 Months, Baby Pope #2 15 weeks

Hey Tessa where you BEAN?

Two buds hit the big city when my parents were in town.  I had been wanting to go to this program the city of chicago puts on everyday from 10am -3pm for kids right in Millinium park.  It was awesome and I felt kinda bad it was my first time taking advantage of this.  We took the train into the city early in the am.  When we came out of the train station it was raining but Tessa and Will totally took advantage of that and we went to Dunkin Donuts where little miss had a pink frosted donut and Will crushed a blueberry muffin.

When the rain let up we headed to the BEAN and the two buds were ready to run!!  We had so much fun in the activity tent - music, crafts and lots of running around.  Perfect day in the city.

"Hey little buddy Will let me show you the Bean!"  Tessa was a good big cousin to little baby Will as she calls him

Two cute together

Hey I know that guy

Just a couple of regular city folk!

Bob Bob and Tessa working on her crown

MoMo and Will working on some dominoes - as in MoMo set them up and Will crashed them in 4 seconds

Sweet little girl and her beautiful crown!

Will showing off his crown too!

Snuggle bug with Grandpa/Grandma - such a big baby

Annual Harvey Party 2012

Every year since I was very VERY young my mom and dad have hosted the annual summer harvey party.  Since we have been in Chicago timing never worked out where Jason and I were able to come home for it.  This year we were really excited to be home for the big party and spend the week by the Pool.  For the first couple days Chris, Mel, Tessa and Deccie were home too!

Tessa threw Bob Bob a birthday party the first night we were home!  Complete with Princess plates, napkins, cups, crowns and homemade cupcakes made by the little miss!!!  She was so excited to have a surprise party for Bob Bob - only issue was she told him every detail the second she got home with all the decorations.

Ready to party!

Will was more then willing to put on the Birthday crown

Tessa pointing out which cupcake was for BobBob

Will getting in on the cupcake action

The next day was party time and there was lots of setting up to be done.  Lucky for Bob Bob he had two excellent helpers for the soda and beer cooler.  They were a great team.

The Harvey party was a blast but a total bust with weather.  It rained SOOOO hard and everyone was moved indoors which was my moms total nightmare.  Everyone still had a great time and I am glad we made it home.  Jason had to go back to Chicago for work but Will and I stayed in CT for lots of fun.  We played at the big playground, yummy trip to Shady Glen, lunch with Grandpa Jim at his house, lots of swimming, eating cherry tomatoes of the vine at Grandma's house, swings, cho cho's and lots of music and dancing.  So much to do!  Will turned into a big ham this trip and got really into Grandpa playing his music real loud and dancing.  He also is now 100% obsessed with Grandpa - my mom and I basically were used only to get him food, water and to and from activities - Grandpa was the party guy!  Thanks Mom and Dad for an awesome week!!! So relaxing!

"Its ok if I jump off this chair - Grandma always catches me!"

"Hey Grandpa what ya eating?  Great can I have some!"

Will and his new friends reading at the park

"Bye Grandma - off to run over all your flowers with my stroller"

Quick kiss before he turns into Mr. Distucto

Fun with Grandpa Jim and his pool toys!

 

How every trip ends - asleep on the drive home

The summer adventures of Will and Justus...

This summer Will and his besets bud Justus have had lots of fun.  Many trips to the beach, pool, playgrounds, countless goldfish, baby food packets and games of chase!  Well we are not sure if they are both playing the same game but Will runs away (typically going to find a toy to play with) and Justus runs with excitement behind Jenny or I to hide!  Its pretty cute - two different games but both get so excited.  Her are some of my favorite pictures of the summer!

Really busy with their office work

Swimming and airplane watching

Snack time of course!

"By Mr. Tom!!  Wish you didn't have to leave for work.  You are much more fun then our moms"

Clothes not required! Will and Justus 17 months old

I smell trouble!!! Lots of giggles