What A Summer

What a summer*!* The June family wedding in Colorado (which was perfect in every way) could not be matched as far as I was concerned but WOW! The Big Man Upstairs was smiling down on us and provided my family with the opportunity to spend 2 WEEKS in my hometown of Quincy, IL. We stayed with my best friend Kelly and her family and had the most wonderful time (even though Hubby had to stay and work in St Louis the majority of the 2 weeks)! Kelly has been mentioned plenty on my blog because we grew up next door to each other on the most perfect, fun cul-de-sac ever. Despite moving from IL 24 years ago (when I was 10), we have stayed best friends...we have known each other our whole lives! (but you probably already knew all of that) I just love that girl...and holy cr*p, aren't we cute? 

                                                                        We spent our first day at the St Louis Zoo!

Aiden and Mallory hit it right off just like they did last summer...C.U.T.E. !

                                                                 

The next day was Delaney's birthday...they made her feel so special!

This photo just melts me into goo...

who would have thought we would be so blessed and have such great, happy, beautiful kids.

Seems like yesterday WE were kids!

One of the many fun things we got to do was go geode hunting! Kel's parents recently moved (out of Kel's childhood house and away from my old one *sniff*) and told us about a stream behind their new house where Kel's Dad had found a ton of them. It was AMAZING! So muddy, slippery, rocky and FUN! Getting those geodes open later was a bit tricky...the whole day was such a neat experience. Kel's oldest son Drew and I picked out flat rocks for all of the kids to paint to add to our already HEAVY load...have I mentioned that Kel's Hubby is a saint yet? Because he SO is!

Oh Mallory...see her sitting at my feet....in the MUD?!? We were all a mess but what a wonderful day it was, mess and all.

The two bigger kiddos really took time and made their rocks look just right...forgot to load those pics...ugh!!! (I think Kel has them on her blog along with some different pics of our visit. Just scrollllllllll down a little : )  Drew's looks great displayed right by the front door of their house...makes my heart sing seeing their confidence soar when they make something special : )

This trip was filled with truly surreal moments for me. Watching Kel and I's kiddos play and run around some of the same places we did just blew me away. For instance, I can't tell you how many times I went here as a kid to feed the animals and have picnics with my family. This is the Soldier and Sailor's Home...where I watched our kids fed the animals and run around like their Mamas used to do. Yikes. Looks like they didn't pay attention to the signs...I don't recall their Mamas paying attention back in the day either ; )

After feeding the animals (both those at the park and the ones we birthed), Kel and I threw our bags in the car headed off on a special over night trip. Our WONDERFUL Hubbies watched the kiddos and Kel and I started on our 3 hour beautiful, corn lined drive to Monticello, Iowa. HMMMM what? Of all the places to go for a girl's night out?!? Well, my stalker called AGAIN and thought it would fun for Kel and I to come to one of his shows together. Hey, any opportunity to hang out with my girl...I guess a show would be fun or whatever.

A show in the middle of freaking NOWHERE...hey, like I said, anything for my girl Kel.

This wasn't for you David Cook. I've told you before, I'm a happily married woman. I might need to get close enough to smell you tell you right to your face so I can get the point acrossed once and for all. Anyway, we had a great time and the show was awesome. I was flattered when you flashed that smile at me at the end and then cued the fireworks...that was a little obvious don't you think? I guess it was nice that everyone could enjoy them even though they were intended for me.

Oh yeah, I think I might have accidentally turned the video on my camera during my favorite song. That is neither Kel nor I singing in the background BTW. Kel sounds much better and I sound much worse. (pause blog music below)

                                                                      After getting up the next morning, we drove back to Quincy and picked up the whole gang. Next stop, the cabin owned by Kel's parents-*Almost Heaven*.  This was my favorite day spent with everyone. Swimming, eating, drinking, and laughing with some of my favorite people in the whole world...it was glorious.

  This has nothing to do with any of the pictures here, BUT... it  was nice getting to talk to Kel's little brother Nathan and getting to know him a little. Kel's Mom, Paulette was pregnant with Nate when we moved...I remember sniffling as I was hugging her good bye...AND being poked in the face by her big prego belly. Yep, he just graduated college...Holy. Cow.

Ahhhh....Gator rides. The girls are STILL talking about that! Now Mr. John (Kel's Dad) is all about having fun and was actually letting the kiddos drive the darn thing. Please note that Delaney is being pointed AWAY from the corn as she steers right INTO it...also note that Mr. John is smiling and letting her do whatever the heck she wants. Hee hee...he's so much fun!

It was the perfect day*!*

                                                                 We ate dinner with Kel's whole family a few days later at her parent's house. I just love the heck out all of them! Kel's Mom made a ton of tacos which brought back all sorts of wonderful memories (and SOOOO yummy too!) Kel's other bro Matt brought his wife and kiddos so it was quite busy and loud...just the way I like it. It just feels like home to me, you know? That pic is of Mr. John tossing Mal...he used to do that to ALL of us when we were kids. We used to BEG him to throw us higher and higher...I remember being able to see his whole roof sometimes when he'd chuck me up in the air.    SO fun!

The trip was filled with all sorts of fun and friends. The girls got to play with another dear friend's daughter, Jordan. They had come for a visit last year also so the girls remembered each other and picked up right where they left off!

We eventually did have to leave and head home...we SO didn't want to!

Extra special treat?....We got to stop at my friend Mollly's in Nashville for a few days!

                                                                         My Godson Hank and Mallory had a great time playing together...more surreal moments with the kiddos. Molly and I met in high school. Now our kiddos are having a blast playing together. Love it.

Aunt Molly took her Goddaughter Delaney out to get pedicures...she LOVED that *girl time*!

That Nashville visit was too short. : (  I am SO glad it all worked out and we were able to visit for a little while though....yep, summer was filled with my favorite people. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect summer (well, except for Hubby working SO much). The girls and I want to do it all over again...with more of Daddy of course.

I've been working on lots of projects that I can't wait to share...hope you all are having a wonderful week!