Time to Remember Stan's Grandma

This November we said goodbye to Stan's Grandma - She was a wonderful lady and will be remembered for her devotion to family, her love of life - and for the biscuits and gravy she always made when Stan came to visit.

The cemetary is in the middle of a cow pasture in Kentucky. During the gravesite service - Sean kept saying "Cow! Cow! Cow!" He brought many smiles during a tough time.

Misc Chicago Adventures

I LOVE Scarfs - this is my Purdue one :)

I went to Rainforest Cafe with Mom & Dad
This frog kinda freaked me out

I was a little mesmerized by all of the moving elephants and thunderstorms

Favorite pastime - playing on top of the trash can with my cars

Date with Bridget at the Brookfield Zoo - I was showing her the tiger - it even growled for us!

Another trip to Indy

Sean and I went back to Indy to see Christopher & Cassidy's Orchestra debut and to throw a Baby Shower for Sara. I forgot my camera on both occasions - but took a few pictures inbetween events.

Get a load of this!

We brought some of Stan's Grandma's costume jewelry for Lanie to play with - she is pictured here (with Melissa) wearing every necklace she could get over her head!

Micah's future in Chicago?

Sean's first real pair of shoes! After wearing his Crocs for the last 6 months - Gram treated Sean to a pair of Size 6, extra wide shoes to head into these colder weather months. He loves them - always wants to have his "shoooooes" on.

Time in Indy this October

"Hey Baby"

I spent all week getting in and out of this car

Going on a bike ride with my cousins!

"Whatcha lookin at Cassidy?"

I went with Mom & Gram to The Children's Museum in Indianapolis - it was amazing. Here I am sitting in an Indy race car - and strangely enough - no one is trying to cut my hair...

This was my favorite part - Water!!

Check out my smock!

"Trac-tor"

Last stop at the museum - the construction zone - I can't wait to come back!

This is sort of like a bathtub...

Splash, splash, splash

Pajama time with Grace & Evan

Little duet with Cassidy

Thanks for a wonderful week, Papa & Gram
(pronounced "Ma" with a growl)

I now pronounce you, "Eh"
(Sean's current name for his Grandpa)

I am such a lucky kid

Tania & Shon

October 18th - I watched my close friend, Tania, get married. It was a wonderful celebration - and one of the most fun & unique weddings I've been to - the wedding was held outside (sun came out as Tania walked down the aisle) and the reception was in the Simmon's Barn. Brook did an incredible job with the flowers and decorations - and Tania and Shon planned a day that really captured their personalities and was truly enjoyable for their guests. I even scored a seat next to the happy couple at dinner - not sure how that happened, but I enjoyed catching up (meeting Shon!) and having a little time with the bride.

brook's beautiful bridal bouquet

Radiant Bride

Relaxed couple before the ceremony

A row of friends

The Kiss

Mr. and Mrs. Ridenour

Celebration!

I Drive I-65

Well, we have finally completed our Fall driving extravaganza - traveling 6 out of the last 7 weekends - Nashville (IN), Carmel, Purdue, Cincinnati, Carmel (again), and Lexington. We greatly enjoyed the time with friends and family - using the phrase "see you next week" with people we rarely get to say that to - but we are happy to be home for a little while... go to the grocery store, sleep in our own beds, reacquaint ourselves with our Chicago friends and church - and simply relax a little bit... which is probably not a phrase too many people are using this time of year!

With relaxation - will come some photo updates from our travels - first I need to get my boy back on a sleeping routine and over this cold. It is so sad to hear my 20-month old congested - barely making out "hobbie" (his blanket) and "bye-ya" (his pacifier). He does have many, many words these days - some only intelligible to his Mommy - which is also a new word. I became "Mommy" last week. It is now my name and his primary distress cry - sometimes combined with "Mommy/Daddy/Hobbie/Bye-ya" - repeated as necessary... possibly followed by "movie," "cracker,""car-ie" or "choo-choo"

Took Sean in for his 4th haircut - he is on the every 2 month plan it appears. He knows how to jump - at least he thinks he can - looks more like squatting with a little foot shuffling at the end - totally adorable. And he also loves to answer every question with "yeah" whether it is appropriate or not... I guess it is better than saying no!

Check back soon for more updates and photos!

Election Day

They'll let anyone vote in Cook County...

Sean doing his best Uncle Sam impression

6th Annual "Camping" Trip

This is the 6th year we've gotten together for a camping trip with these dear Purdue friends. Many thanks to Sara's parents for letting us use their cabin again this year - and thanks to my parents for watching Sean and giving us a relaxing weekend with our friends :)

Still trying to act like we're in college...