Fall 2019

The boys started 3rd and 5th grade this year (totally forgot to take a 1st day photo:(. Bennet got a brand new teacher, Ms. Wright and Hayden got Mrs. Stafford who was retiring after 30 years.  So, after the 4th of July the boys tracked back in. This would be Hayden's last year in elementary school and essentially, his last year of public school until possibly high school. But the boys were kept busy and happy again with school and a new soccer/baseball season.  This year for a special treat, we were supposed to go to Disney's Very Halloween Party.  Unfortunately, Hurricane Dorian came instead and our trip was pushed back until later in October.  When we finally got to go, the 6 of us put on our dorkiest Halloween shirts and enjoyed all the fall/Halloween festivities at Magic Kingdom!  Halloween this year was also extra special because Gigi and Popi came down from Libertyville for a fun visit.  We had a great time except Bennet was sick with the flu and only went around to a couple of houses.  Luckily, Hayden went trick or treating with his neighborhood buddies so we got to stay home with him and hand out candy.

BFF's Come to Raleigh

Kelley and Katie came to Raleigh at the end of June 2019 and we had a best time, as always.  It was great to catch up with them and show them all of the things that we love about NC.  There's also something so special about having your best friends come to your new home and new world.  We went hiking everywhere, had dinner/drinks downtown, took a yoga class at Lifetime in Cary, and went to UNC Chapel Hill.  Jamie was awesome and took the boys away to spend the night at the beach so we could really have some quality one on one time.  It was a priceless weekend and one that I'll always think about and laugh.

Summer 2019

 This was a typical summer.  Swimming, a 4th of July trip to Nana and Papa's and day trips to the beach!

Spring 2019

Spring 2019 was good and the boys were kept busy with school, baseball and soccer.  We also took a fun trip for Mother's Day to Myrtle Beach to stay on the beach and see some friends from Illinois.  It's only a three hour drive and so easy to get to.  We really enjoyed the area, the "touristy" things to do and all of the fun restaurants.  It was good to see Jamie's friend and his family as well. The four of us can't wait to go back.

Girls Trip to New Orleans

My girls trip for 2019 was to New Orleans to visit one of my best friends, Kelley, that lives there.  Katie, our college BFF was supposed to go for the weekend as well, but it turned out being so cold in Chicago that her flight was cancelled.  Kelley and I made the best of it though and had such a fun time.  It was awesome to play the tourist and explore her city.  We went everywhere and explored all over downtown and the French Quarter.  I fell in love with the gorgeous houses and the history everywhere. Since I'm obsessed with all things WWII, going to the WWII museum was amazing. I had no idea how massive and cool it would be.

Hayden's 10th Birthday!

It was very hard to believe that Hayden turned 10 so quickly.  Where did the years go? For his big day, he had a slumber party with two of his close friends from school.  They ate pizza and played electronics until we turned off the Wifi :).  He had a great time and enjoyed having his friends spend the night. And on a side note, look at how he's grown throughout the years.  WOW!

Bennet's 8th Birthday!

Instead of having a party with his new friends, Bennet wanted to take a trip to Wrightsville and Wilmington for his big day instead.  We got lucky and the weekend of his birthday had beautiful weather, so we went to the beach, checked out the WWII ship and then went to our hotel room downtown.  It ended up being so much fun to spend a good day away.  We ate dinner in downtown Wilmington and walked down by the river.  A perfect way to spend an 8th birthday.