A mini Vacation

We took a mini family vacation after the wedding.  I saw on a friends' blog a year ago a post about the Morton Arboretum.  (Thanks Jessi!)  We thought it looked like fun and thought we if ever were that direction it would be a definite stop for us.  It didn't disappoint.  We loved it and would highly recommend it.

We also went to the Riverwalk and rented a paddle boat.  The girls thought it was great and took turns steering.  Their goal was to chase the ducks.

And on the way home we had to stop at the home of one of our favorite shows, American Pickers.  It was fun, though none of the cast were there that day.

They were in town, so their trucks were there.

Overall, it was a fun few days together and truly needed to refresh. 

My Cousin's Wedding!

We made the 8 hour trip to my cousin's wedding a couple weeks ago.  It was a blast being with family and celebrating the wedding.

Unkie Patrick with my cousin Wendy's kids, Noah and Naomi, and my girls.

Auntie Kathy with Paige

Waiting for the wedding to start with Unkie and Auntie.

The beautiful bride, Ariel, and her father.

Noah, Naomi, Paige, Allie, Alaina, and Ryan.  Allie and Ryan are my cousin, Kimberly's twins and neice and nephew of the groom and now bride.

The kids running circle's around Lucas, Kimberly's husband.  I remember running around at family events with all of my cousins and having a ball when I was younger.  It's so fun to see my kids now playing with those same cousins kids.

My cousin Nicholas and his bride, Ariel, cutting the cake.  They are both avid readers and had all of their favorite books made into cakes as the center pieces with a framed paper telling why those books are dear to them.  It was very cool.

My grandma with the great-grands that were there.  I love this picture.  Note Olivia pulling off Amelia's headband, Alaina grabbing for Ryan, Grandma laughing at the antics.  It's just priceless.

Here is the best we could get of all the kids with Great Grandma.  The kids from the left:  Allie, Paige, Noah, Naomi, Amelia, Olivia, Alaina, and Ryan.

And here are all the kids with the Bride and Groom.

Pretty as a picture!

Lainey with her best bud Noah.  She just adores him!

Uncle James with Olivia.  Aunt Jenna had to work so she didn't get to make the trip.

Lainey dancing with the bride.

And Paige's turn!

Paige and her Daddy!

Playing at the hotel!

Amelia looking down at us!

The Wedding

So the whole reason we headed south was to take in my cousin, Kayla's wedding in Oklahoma.  It was so fun to get to hang out with family and be a part of the festivities.  I barely took any pics while I was there.  Too busy visiting with family.  I "borrowed" some from Kim's blog!  Thanks!

Alaina in the nursery during the wedding.  (She's in pink!)  The cutie look alikes behind her are my youngest cousins, John and Kane.  The two with their backs to the camera are my cousin, Kim's twins, Allie and Ryan.  There are 4 sets of twins on my mom's side of the family.  (No worries for me, it isn't genetic.)

Alaina and Allie

Waiting patiently to let go of their balloons.

The happy couple!

So cool to see all the balloons!

A rare photo of Mommy with Alaina!

Aunt Amber introducing her dog, Lucky, to all the kids.

Paige with Allie.  Allie actually liked this!