good medicine

I think some of the best medicine is a visit with a good friend, and when you multiply that by 4, it's just awesome medicine.  It is just what I needed.  I have been missing these girls!
We hosted the get together at our lake house and it was loud, crazy, and at times chaotic, but wonderful, fun, and a blessing too!  I count myself SO blessed to have friends from my childhood who are still a part of my life now.  I wish for my girls this type of friendship, but know with the ministry lifestyle it will be somewhat harder. I count myself fortunate to have never moved, and my parents still live in the house I grew up in.

 missing a couple of girlies

 missing Zane

 the IPad is fun for all!

 snack time

 

check out those splits!

 the seagull approaching to steal some crackers

 stealing seats

 deep in conversation

 Don't ask?? :)

cutie patootie

We have plenty to praise God for; the blessing of friends!

Father's Day

 Actually on Friday, but the girls were having such fun playing dress up I had to get a picture.  Every couple of minutes they would show up downstairs in new outfits...some were not proper to put on the blog! 

 We surprised daddy and took him to Mexico Lindo in Knox for Saturday lunch.  He was in dire need of some Horchata!  Anna entertained us by asking to go "potty" about 5 times!  Only one of which did she actually go, but she is doing awesome on potty training.  She routinely tells us when she has to go, rarely having accidents anymore, and even waking from naps dry.  Nighttime is probably a long ways off, but I'll take whatever I can get!

 The girls both loved their enchiladas...

 and the chips of course.  Anna loves guacamole...the chip is just a delivery method!
After lunch we decided to make a drive to Valparaiso to get some dessert...I found out that a place there has Horchata ice cream...so, we just had to treat daddy!  Not often we drive almost an hour for dessert!

 On Sunday the girls enjoyed playing with their matching Aquadoodles...Maria was drawing a rainbow and gold at the end...

Anna of course said she was drawing the same thing, imitation is the best form of flattery.

 Maria's rainbow and gold...she said it wasn't in a pot!

Happy Father's Day to the best Daddy around!

zoo business

We have a wonderful day at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago.  We headed up with Larry's parents and we able to see one of his dad's cousins, and ate our lunch at their condo.  The girls were so excited to see all the animals and really did well with such a long day.  Bedtime was a quick one, and let's just hope they sleep in a bit??
On an equally exciting note, Anna has been potty training and had a "no accident" day!

We have plenty to praise God for; wonderful weather for spending together enjoying the marvels of God's creation.

laugh

Anna is finding herself quite funny these days...at the very end Larry caught her doing it.

yum

fresh from our garden...and they were quickly devoured as they accompanied some shortcake.

at the farm

 Our playgroup headed up to a farm for the morning last week.  Anna liked these chickens, but didn't care for the turkeys hanging around on the other side.  They were a bit creepy looking and scary sounding!

 Anna(in the hat) helped out by feeding some chickens, and also ended up with feed in her pocket, a snack for later perhaps.

 Anna trying to feed the goats, only she failed to open her hand, a vital part of them actually getting to the feed.

 Maria and good friend Elisabeth "riding a horse".

The girls grooming the horse, Taffy.

 Let's go check out those geese mom!

 on second thought...

Anna making friends!