young at heart festival '09...

I've been meaning to post these pics from last sunday all week, but dealing with cleaning/laundry/getting my hair chopped off/sinuses KICKING my butt/taking Ziana for her six month pictures/kids not listening very well...it got forgotten about. So, here I am on saturday posting them. We had a very nice Memorial Day weekend. Got some shopping done. A new trampoline for the kids. Hanging out and relaxing. Going to the Young at Heart. The weather held up pretty well...with only dark skies and a little rain on monday. Here are some of the highlights of our day at Young at Heart: Daxton's first ride!! He LOVED it!! He was a little antsy right before the ride started up, but once it did, he was having a blast! I loved watching his little face light up and spin the steering wheel around and around.

Daxton's all about being comfortable...while he was in the stroller he kept popping his feet up :)

Before we even got there, Xavier was telling Drake how he was going to take him on the bumper cars. They waited in the looong line and had fun crashing into everyone. Xavier is such a good big brother to Drake, he takes great care of him and is such a great role model for him. Drake just idolizes him and wants to be with him every second!

All 3 of them on the bee ride. Now that Drake is big enough to ride on pretty much all the rides, they tend to leave Xandria out, but this one they all fit on together.

Nick and I. 12 years later...still going to the Young at Heart :)

Miss Ziana conked out. It's becoming harder and harder to get her to fall asleep anywhere besides her bed these days! I was surprised to look down and see her snoozing away!

Daxton playing his first game...the ducky game! Last year he was the one sitting in the stroller like Ziana, now he's going on rides and playing games...what a difference a year makes!

Daxton's little red bird he won at the ducky game. This was taking right before he tossed it on the ground :)

The last picture of the day. The kids with their not one, not two, but three goldfish that Daddy and Xavier ended up winning! We bought a little tank for them to be in and since then, two of the three fish have survived...Xavier's being the one that perished. Drake's also holding his penguin/bird that he won.

the kids are out of school...well...

almost! They didn't have school today, and tomorrow they go for a whopping 2 1/2hrs. Yeehaw!! I think it's going to be a good thing...just hoping I'm not wrong!! I know there will be a fair share of bickering going on though. I'm REALLY looking forward to a loong weekend!! Nick was gone working 1 1/2 hours away all last week (and monday this week), so monday and tuesday it was SO NICE to have him home at a decent time. Especially since a few days last week he wasn't able to be here to help with the kids at all. Definitely a tough week for me!! But, I made it :)



The Young at Heart Festival is this weekend, which means it's been 12 years since the first time I saw Nick!! He was on the ferris wheel with B (a guy I had a little crush on) and I guess B had spotted me and he told Nick to scream my name. I remembering hearing it, but didn't know who was saying it. A lit bit later my friend and I went over to where B was with his friends, and we all stood around talking. I noticed Nick RIGHT away!! He was the goofy one (his nickname is Goofy)...making jokes and getting everyone to laugh. I was thinking "forget about B, who's this guy??" I left that night with B's number (which I never called) and wondering if I would ever see that guy again. You can read the rest of how we finally did get together HERE
And when I had told him awhile after we got together that I remembered first seeing him at the Young at Heart with B, he told me all about how he remembered being on the ferris wheel with B screaming my name (I hadn't even mentioned hearing my name that night). How crazy is that?? Who woulda thought that the person's name he was hollering...for his friend btw...would be the one he married and has 5 kids with?? Definitely meant to be!! I do have to add that he did not remember seeing me at the Young at Heart that night, just yelling my name. Guess he was too busy entertaining everyone to notice me ;)

So, this year when we take the kids to the festival like we do every year, I will remember how it all started and how far we have come and all that we have gone through...and be SHOCKED that it's been 12 YEARS and I remember it like it was yesterday.

Zi zi is up now...so it's time to feed her and then we are off to get some supper!!

I told you I was able to get some smiley pictures of Ziana against the fence. The dress I got from the Gap on clearance and hat is from H&M...two of my favorite stores for kid clothes (usually from the outlets, of course)!

Doesn't he just look so sweet and innocent?! Daxton on sunday...hanging on the fence Nick was finishing! I'm SO HAPPY the yard is now COMPLETELY closed in!!!! Daxton ran off and almost made it to the street the other day when we were in the back...TOTALLY freaked me out!! That boy is SUPER FAST when he's on a mission...and I'm not exaggerating in the least!

Wrong feet...his legs are NOT crossed, ha ha! You can just about bet that when Drake puts his shoes on, they WILL be on the wrong feet!! Everytime he is told that his shoes are on the wrong feet and he says "I don't care". He does switch them though :) It's so Drake!

Xandria out in the backyard the other day...we are all obsessed with playing badminton or madminton as Drake calls it :)

Up close and personal with Ziana...from a couple weeks ago. Love her expression!!

the pouty cry...six months later...

This is Ziana, minutes old...that girl cried for a good bit after she was born! I said "yes, she's definitely a girl!" ;)...and then I thought "oh no...is this what I have to look forward to??" But, thankfully, it wasn't (at least so far)! She's extremely laid back and go with the flow. We get lots of comments about how she never cries. And she doesn't. It's VERY rare for her to actually cry...UNTIL...Mommy thinks it would be oh-so-cute to set her in a little, tiny bit of grass against the wood fence and take some pictures to mark her six month birthday. Instead of a face full of smiles I got this:

and was instantly brought back in time to when she was just born and I saw that same pouty little crying face. It really is too sweet for words...even though she is unhappy. But don't worry, I did get some smiles...after I set her on a blanket!

kayleigh...

sweet, beautiful, little Kayleigh passed away yesterday. My heart is completely broken for her family. Completely broken. I can not even come close to knowing how they feel...I know how devastated I am and she's not even my daughter, or the daughter of anyone I "know", but the tears fall from my eyes still. From the moment I first started reading their blog months ago, I pictured Kayleigh going home, growing up and telling her story to everyone...now she won't have the chance to tell it. Instead all that have loved her and prayed for her, will be able to tell it. That little girl is definitely a miracle!!! I don't have the ability to put feelings into words very well...but I know that I will continue to always think of her and her family and to also always hold and love my kids even more in her memory!!! You can click on her blog button to the left and go leave her family a comment...I know it would be appreciated! (may you rest in peace sweet kayleigh)

mother's day in chicago...

For Mother's Day we decided to take our "little" family to Chicago...mainly going to Navy Pier. I was getting nervous, because the sky was looking kinda dark when we were approaching Chicago...sure enough, it started to sprinkle, then we hit the wall of rain!! It poured, but by the time we actually got through the city and arrived at Navy Pier, it completely stopped and didn't rain a drop after :) It was perfect out!

First thing we did (after a bathroom stop) was head over to McDonald's so Nick and the kids could eat and I could feed the baby. Navy Pier actually wasn't jammed packed with people...it was still busy, but it was the least amount of people I have seen there. We walked down the pier and came across the "magic mirrors". I love these! I was hoping to get a shot of all of us in front of one, but that didn't happen. Especially since Drake would have NOTHING to do with them!! I don't know why but he wouldn't so much as walk right in front of them...goofy boy! So, I have this picture of us...minus Xavier and Drake (I think X was in the mirror next to us).

I don't know why, but the end part of the pier (where we normally take photos) was closed. We settled with this spot and I told Nick to take a photo of the kids and I...I hate that I always have to tell him to take a picture with me in it...but that's the way it goes I guess. I would love to have some non-posed, real life photos w/the kids, but oh well....what can ya do about it?? I LOVED carrying Ziana in the carrier!! Works out so well and it's not as straining as trying to carry her in my arms. Funny that after 5 kids, I finally out the carriers we have bought to use...lol!

On our way back up the pier, we just had to stop so I could get a picture of the kids on one of these benches. We did the same thing last year too...I think I'm going to make it a tradition :) Who knows...maybe one time we will be able to fill the bench with all our kids ;) Ha ha!

After we finished at Navy Pier, we headed towards Michigan Ave to find the Hershey store. We completely got on the wrong road and went a bit out of the way...had to turn around and managed to find it!! I love that store!! The minute you walk in you are hit with the WONDERFUL smell of chocolate!!! If you go you have to get one of their cupcakes...they are DELICIOUS!! And HUGE!! Mine is the Reece's cup kind...with peanut butter frosting. I love how Ziana is looking at like she's ready for a taste :) (and what's with the chick in the back??). To finish up our day there we went to the American Girl doll store so Xandria could get something for her doll...she was the one behaving the whole day. It was funny when we were in there, Drake said "this place just has girl stuff in it", ha ha.

On the way home...Nick missed our exit off of I-94 unto I-90, so we had to detour into Skokie. That turned out to be a great thing because we came across Portillo's...YUM!!! The last time I have eaten there was about 9 years ago. Their cheeseburgers and fries are THE BEST!! And they even had smoothies there! We arrived home around 10pm. Xavier and Xandria gave me their gifts they made for me at school...a painting from each of them. So sweet!! I will have to take a picture of them. I recieved some clothes and shoes from Nick. I also have a necklace on order with the kids' names on it...you can find it here
I ordered one of her charmed necklaces. She has such cute designs...I can't wait to recieve mine!!

Today has been all about cleaning up and not doing too much. Today is also the day Ziana turns SIX MONTHS OLD!!!!!! That's insane to me!!! I plan to do another post about her being 6 months, with a few pictures I took of her today. I want to cry...time just flies by in the blink of an eye :(

some photos...

I don't feel like saying much, so I thought I would post some photos. Today is one of those looooong days where it's been a lil crazy and Nick's not going to be home until late :( My youngest two boys....sweetness! Daxton kept hugging Drake repeatedly, it was so cute. I'm glad I had my camera ready.

Xandria and her baby sister on Easter. Xandria was so excited that both their dresses were black and white and they each had a pink sweater. Can you tell she's SO HAPPY to have a baby sister??

Xavier and Ziana. It's SO TOUGH to get him to have his picture taken...or when I finally get him to, he will make the "are you done yet" face. Alot of times when no one is around he will go up to her and tickle her, talk to her or make faces at her to get her to laugh.

Ziana and I outside. Drake snapped this picture with my camera. He's really gotten into taking pictures with my camera...which makes me nervous, but he does pretty well with holding on to it.

Last night we had Xavier's spring concert. He plays Nick's old trumpet in the bad. It's the first time they have played. It was really nice. They are required to sing in the choir, but he TOTALLY MOUTHED IT, lol! He said his mouth feels funny after playing the trumpet, so he can't sing. Riiiiight. The concert was 55 minutes long and I'm happy to say that everyone sat so well!! I was so proud :) Daxton cried a little bit when we first got there, but I'm sure it was because of all the strange people. I had to take him from Nick and hold him and then he calmed down. Angela held onto the baby. The senior boys were sitting behind us waiting for their turn and making faces at the baby and playing peek a boo with her. It was cute.

Thursday is Xavier's school trip to the Chicago museum...science and industry I'm pretty sure. Nick is taking the day off of work to go with him. I thought I was first choice, but I somehow got bumped, lol. It will be nice for the two of them to spend time together though.

Geez, so much for not writing much...I need to go get supper ready.