lunch...

Yesterday was such a lovely day. Since Melanie was in town, all my sister's, my mom, and I went out for lunch. Olive Garden is one of Melanie's favorite places to eat, and since she doesn't have one close to where she lives, we went there for lunch.

And let me tell you...that was a chore. ;)

L.O.V.E.....

Since Micah is home schooled, he was able to go with all his Aunts. I think he was glad that Jonas was there, so he wasn't the only boy. :) Micah loves his little cousins and doesn't waste any chance to get them laughing and talking to him.

With all the Aunts available, the babies had plenty of chances to get some cuddle time in.

I really do feel blessed to have my sisters. I am even more blessed that we all get along and genuinely love each other.

While we were laughing and eating and just enjoying each other's company, I noticed a woman all alone at the table behind us. It made me very sad for her. I don't know her story. But here I am surrounded by....l.o.v.e. and this lady was sitting all alone just watching us. It made me thankful for what I have.

Me and my little "sweetcheeks"

Melanie was playing peak a boo with Jonas.

Jonas thought it was great!!

Emma's new hat. She HATES the sun in her eyes. And I mean hates it. So I thought she needed a sun hat. A little big....but it will work.

While I was writing this, Emma had 2 blow outs. I think it's time I experiment with a different brand of diapers. :/

Today, is a get laundry done, house put together (for the 12th time this week) and make a decent meal for dinner kinda day. I am already on my 4th load of laundry. Yes, that's me bragging. ;)

I also think since it is so spring like out, today is a good day for some homemade strawberry shortcake.

I'm off to bake.

Happy Thursday

Annual Sisters Shopping Trip

This past weekend was our annual Sister's Shopping Trip. This year we went to Woodfield. With the weather like it has been, we weren't for sure if we were going to be able to go. But we plowed on through and it all turned out just fine.

Joanna was very excited to say the least. Her FAVORITE store is at Woodfield. We just might start a petition to bring one to our town!



I think Anthropologie has the cutest aprons known to man.



Jessica and Janelle were in JcPenny's FOREVER! I mean come on how long can you look at slippers?? Seriously?!

So the rest of us girls parked it out in front of the store. It was a much deserved rest if you ask me!! :)



We of course ate at my favorite restaurant....The Cheesecake Factory. My Mom thought it was called the Chocolate Factory!! ;)

Joanna's friend Dayna came with us. Dayna is such a bubbly fun person. What fun it was getting to know her.

I think the highlight of the evening for me was the turtle cheesecake. It was worth the thousand calories!

With Jonathan and Melanie coming for Christmas, we are planning a 2nd shopping trip. Which will be even more fun since MELANIE will be with us!!!!! How fun will that be!?!?!? Can you tell I am slightly excited??

Girls Weekend

This past weekend the girls in my family were able to get away for a little girls weekend. It was nice to be able to relax and spend some time with one another.

Janelle's house was our "hotel."

Mom, Joy and I went up Thursday night.



We spent the day on Friday shopping. I found some books that I want to get for the kids!! ;)

I know I always like to know the WHY in life.



We found a really cute purse and jewelry shop. I think we all walked away with something we liked.




We also found a resale shop. Although I think the prices in this resale shop were ridiculous!!! I would never spend $50 for a pair of jeans that someone else already owned!! CRAZY!!!

Thankfully the girls decided to keep the hats at the store!! ;)



After we got bored with shopping we took a walk by the Lake. It was getting quite warm out by then.



So we cooled ourselves off in a little fountain! I never thought I would see my Mom "dancing" in a fountain!!



We found a little Public Market that was really neat.



When we got back to Janelle's we enjoyed the pool while we waited for Joanna and Jessica to get there.

We had fun jumping in the pool. I don't know if I have seen my Mom laugh that hard in a long time.



Saturday morning. Before we got ready...... and yes.....they will kill me for this picture.



I thought this was a funny picture. Joanna mentioned how she downsized from her big compact to her little one for the weekend. Mom said that she did to and proceeded to show us her "downsize"!!



All ready to go!!



We drove into Milwaukee for a day of sightseeing.



We went to the Pabst Mansion which was very interesting to go through. I would recommend it. Although I don't think it's a place for kids.

We got yelled at right after this picture was taken. I guess you can't take pictures. No one told us that!!



After the Mansion we went for a late lunch. We went to a local diner around the block from the mansion. I think we enjoyed the Juke Box the best. I just wished it would play the song you actually picked!!






We then decided it would be best to go shopping. So we walked the 3rd ward and just enjoyed each other's company.




On the way home we called Jonathan and Melanie. It was good to talk to them for a while. I can't wait for them to come visit later this year.

We did a lot of laughing this weekend which is always good for the soul. It was time well spent with my Mom and Sisters, even though I missed my little family at home.

Thanks Janelle for opening your home to all of us crazy sisters. At least you know we come by our craziness honestly!! ;)

Brother did call me and leave me a wonderful little voicemail telling me that he missed me and was hoping that I was having a safe trip. It melted my heart to hear from him.

A girls shopping trip

The Saturday after Thanksgiving my sisters, Mom and I went shopping.


We left at 8 in the morning.



And got back at 1 in the morning. It was a long and prosperous day.



I would have to say that Sears was my favorite stop.

It would drive my husband nuts to hear this....he always says to act your age.

But when you are with your sisters, it's a little hard to act your age.



Let's just suffice it to say that my Mom almost wet her pants when she saw Joanna pushing my down the aisle.

We laughed so hard, it hurt!!!!



We were in Sears FOREVER!!!! And I mean forever!



We eventually found a nice section where we could relax while my Mom stood in this line probably 4 different times.


In the end, it was worth it, we all found our perfect gift, and Mom knows that we all like what we got, and that it fits.



Joanna got a little tuckered out while waiting for Jessica to find the perfect dress. She finally found one that looks wonderful on her!! YAH!!!!


I would say that there was only 1 downfall of our trip.


And that is that Joy and Jelanie wasn't there!!!

Joy had to work, and of course Jelanie is in Hawaii.

We were promised that NEXT year Jonathan and Jelanie will be here for the holidays. YAH!!!!