Happy Birthday Nate!

Today is Nate's birthday and all week Maddy has been telling him "Happy Birthday Daddy. " And he says that no it isn't his birthday yet - it will be in a few days. She says OK. Happy Birthday Daddy.

We've had a very busy week, here are the highlights. Last week was the 50th Anniversary of the new home town. They have a summer festival every year and this year's festival was pretty good. Wed. The Gin Blossoms and Credence Clearwater (Revisited, they were missing one or two original members) played a concert. Here is Maddy wearing the latest Illinois fashion for concerts in the park.




Here is a picture of the Gin Blossoms ( I thought the lead singer looked like Kenny Chesney, BTW the lead singer is the tiny guy with the cowboy hat)

Thursday was another concert, but we didn't go for the concert we went for the fireworks and what Nate referred to as Death Rides (Carnival Rides). We weren't going to let Maddy do it but somehow she talked us into it. Here is Maddy on the teacups with a new friend (I was too big to go with her and I was afraid to let her be completely alone in the ride). Sadly, the new friend really didn't want the teacups to spin at all. It was a little hard for me to watch her in the cups all by herself. She did great!

Here we are on the merry-go-round

img> Saturday we had a block party. Maddy loved playing with all the kids. I had my camera but I didn't take very many pictures. One of the other moms is going to send me pictures of Maddy soon I hope. :) Here is one of the pictures I did take of Maddy, she is trying to convince the kids that she is 4.


Wednesday was gymnastics. She loves going to gymnastics and she really is improving each week.

Happy Birthday to Stacy too!!!!

July in Chicago part 1

The 4th was nice it was about 77 degrees and not humid (and no rain, I can't remember a 4th w/o rain or the threat of rain.) We had some friends over for a BBQ. We played croquet and bocce ball. We could see fireworks from at least three of the nearby towns. Maddy played outside all day and had a blast. Here she is ready for festivities... see how clean she is (seriously who dresses a two year old in white for a BBQ or for anything for that matter?)

We have just been spending the days at the pool or out checking out the area.

I have been trying to keep up the yard and I am fascinated daily by all of the different plants that just keep popping up. Here are a few new things I've found in the yard this week and I don't just mean plants the third picture is a cardinal that comes to that tree every night around 7:30 and sings for a good 20 minutes.

Purple Cone flower
I don't know what this flower is... anyone? As I look I see there is a slug inside that's always nice or not.

The cardinal

And finally I think the patio is done. Our furniture arrived last week and I have spent nearly every morning out there with my coffee.

The blog post wouldn't be complete with out silly Maddy mugging for the camera.

Refusing to look at the camera.

The many adventures of Madelyn

Maddy's new thing is to stand in front of the mirror and watch herself or check out her outfit or just play.

She just loves the new xylophone.

Daddy took her to the mall for a haircut and they came home with this