Kline Creek Farm

What a georgous day today! I got us out of the house and over to Winfield to Kline Creek Farm. Andrew was a bit stubborn at first & only wanted to play on the gravel path! We were in no hurry, so I let him (and got an opportunity to practice some shots with my new camera!). When we finally got to the farm part, he LOVED it! He got to see chickens, horses, sheep & cows. There wasn't a lot of activity going on, but we got there in time to see the horses led out to eat & the cows herded in to their pen. There were no people there, so we got to walk at our leisure & see the different things! I got to talk to the guy who sheers the sheep & he told me when they do the sheering & when the lambs will be born, so I think we'll be going back in the next few weeks!

Puddle Jumpers!

Ike brought a lot of rain to our town! Because of the rain, I had one very bored and antsy, no-napped 2 year old on Saturday! It was about 80 and raining...perfect weather for jumping in puddles! Check out his cool outfit! Raincoat, shorts, and snow boots! He & Mike had a blast!

If this doesn't make you smile...

Last night, Andrew & I were eating dinner. My cell phone was on the table, so he picked it up, opened it & hit some buttons. His conversation:

Hello!

Ah Lolie!

You okay?

Yeah!

Uh huh!

I eating dinner!

Yeah!

My mommy!

(at this point, I checked the phone to make sure it wasn't on!)

Yeah!

Oh no!

Hello?

he looks at the phone & sees it is off..

I call again!

he pushes some buttons

Hello Ah Lolie!

my boys!

These boys are more like brothers than cousins! I just love this picture of them! We can't wait until Laurie & Liam (Ah Lolie & Wiam) move in across the street!

My 29th +1 year birthday

So. It happened. I tried not to let it, but it did anyway. I turned 30 over Labor Day weekend. I told Mike a while ago that I didn't want a big party. As it was, the day was absolutely perfect & I wouldn't have asked for anything more! We had plans to go to Wisconsin for the weekend, but one of Mike's assistants at work threw a wrench in that schedule so we stayed home. Saturday we had some friends over & we ate & drank & played --- it was so much fun! Monday was my birthday. Laurie, Andrew & I went out to breakfast at Egg Harbor in Geneva. We walked down 3rd street & talked the whole way to Starbucks. A couple lattes & chocolate milk for the little man & we actually got to sit & continue a conversation (thanks Andrew!). After we got back to the car, we went floor shopping for Laurie's new house. Andrew & I made our way back to mom's house, where he went down for a nap & I went down to the pool! My Aunt & Uncle, Robby w/ his son Sy, Jeannie w/ her b/f Brian & Tabitha were all there. Bart & Nicole stopped by as well as some other friends. It was a very laid back little party, and I wouldn't have had it any other way! Oh...and the best part....

I got a NIKON D60!!!!! I've been playing with it a little, but am still learning all the features of the camera. Here are some of the pics I've taken! I've got some learning to do, but even not knowing what I'm doing I think they turned out pretty well!

Happy Anniversary!

Mike and I celebrated our 4th anniversary this year! The traditional gift is silk, so I thought a little outside the box, and got a French Silk pie & some champagne to celebrate. It was a nice evening! Hopefully we'll be able to get a sitter & go out to dinner sometime soon!

Elburn Days 2008

Another Elburn Days has come and gone. This was our first one as Hogan Walker, so there were some emotions tied, but as the fair went on and everything remained the same, it became less of an issue.

Andrew loved the rides this year! Friday night, he and Brandt rode rides & jumped in the bouncer...neither of them wanted to leave! Saturday afternoon we took Andrew back for more. He isn't quite ready for the roller coaster -- even with Mike riding with him! (we found that out the hard way!), but he loved the rest of the rides...and the chocolate ice cream....and the popcorn.....and the $3 blow up hammer he won at a game..........

if you look very closely you can see Andrew SCREAMING! while Mike is riding the dragon with him!

Happy 31st Birthday Mike!

Mike turned 31 this year! We had a pretty toned down party this year -- dinner with his parents, then dinner with my dad & Karen, then dinner with my Mom & Ron. Andrew & I got Mike some tickets to the Disturbed concert & arranged for some of his friends to go with. He had a blast -- minus a migrane before the main act took the stage :( but in all I think he had a great birthday!

**While we were at his parents, I forgot a diaper, and Andrew had to be changed. His mom made a "homemade" diaper using an old rag & safety pins. When we came home in the stylish outfit, he grabbed his blankie, cowboy hat, and sunglasses & decided he should play the piano!

Two Weddings....

At the beginning of August we had two weddings to go to! The first was my cousin Danne to her now husband Travis. We travelled to Indiana to join in the fun! The ride there left a bit to be desired...Andrew barely slept, and was complaining for most of the 4 hour drive. We got to the hotel & he got to go swimming with Mike while I got ready. Then, Andrew took his first shower with daddy which he LOVED! We got him dressed in his suit & he looked ADORABLE! He was great through the ceremony (thanks Danne, for keeping it short & sweet!). The reception was so much fun & kid friendly with candy & glow necklaces! There was even a little room off the main hall where all the kids ran & played! After a night of running, playing & dancing, Andrew sure was pooped & ready to go home! (**a cute note...when the DJ first started playing it was LOUD! Andrew covered his ears & told him to STOP! I told him that at weddings we play music -- after a quick break, he was off, tearing up the dance floor!)

Our next weekend was a short week later for my friend, Heather. I've known her since 5th grade when I first moved to St Charles. I was a bridesmaid, so our whole weekend was full! Andrew got to spend the night at my parents with Liam, so he had a riot! Mike and I enjoyed a little open bar, danced, and caught up with old friends I hadn't seen in a while. My camera died, so I don't have any pictures to share!

just a cute one!

I know I have a ton of updating to do!! But, here is a cute pic my mom took while we were hanging out at her pool on Monday, and I wanted to post it before I forgot! Andrew just loved me swimming him on my back all around the pool! We had a blast taking turns letting all the kids jump off the diving board (while we caught them!). Andrew only took a couple turns himself, but loved telling everyone to DIVE! when it was their turn to go!