Our Weekend Trip to Chicago

Since we didn't have plans to really go anywhere big this summer, we decided to take the boys to Chicago and explore some places we've talked about going. As you can see, LegoLand was definitely a destination. The boys loved it and of course we had to get a Ninjago toy to go. We also went to Medieval Times. My parents have been several times and we thought the boys might finally be old enough. Turns out we were right. Talin loved the food and Ronald loved the sword fighting. It was a huge hit! We also hit up Brookfield Zoo and Benihana while there. On our way home, we stopped by the Reiser family house for Avery's 1st birthday. He's an awesome little boy and it was good to finally see them, it's been way too long! Needless to say, I was exhausted by the time the weekend was over but I definitely got my exercise in. More importantly, the boys had a great time and we all got to enjoy each other.

Darth and R2D2 and LegoLand

Not sure who had more fun - Ron or the boys?

Being silly!

Look at Ronald's eyes in this pic :)

Talin and Daddy

Their new friend - they make friends everywhere they go!

At Brookfield!

Any surprise they are on similar animals???

A quick family pic

Nichole, Avery, and Bryan

Ronald's Preschool Graduation

I just had to share these photos even though they are a few months old. Ronald had his preschool graduation ceremony and it was pretty darn cute. They sang the state song (quite a feat for 5 year olds) and received a diploma. Ronald will definitely miss his friends from The Caring Place but luckily some of them have younger brothers and sisters so we will still get to see them during pick-up. He's had some awesome teachers and has learned so much. I can't wait to see what he learns in kindergarten. By the way, he told everyone that when he gets older, he wants to be a veterinarian. I didn't even know he knew what that word meant :)

Ron's first triathlon

Ron completed his first sprint triathlon this summer and had a blast. I think there will be many more in his future, as long as I will let him invest in a bike! He did really, really well and actually trained for it. Below are some pics from the race. As you can tell, he was pretty sweaty so no one wanted to really touch him in the pics :)  Looking forward to cheering you on in many, many more races boo!

The start of the bike portion

Almost at the finish line

Me and my boo

Ron and his dad

Ron and my sister, Tai

My Little Wrastlers!

As many of you know, Ronald (my husband) was a wrestler in high school and college. Well, the boys learned this and want to follow in his footsteps. I am a bit hesitant as wrestling season is usually during basketball season and I was so hoping to get at least one interested in playing. One of the good things about them wrestling is that their fighting is now much more organized. Instead of punching and kicking, they try to double-leg or pin each other.

This was Ronald's first season and he did really well. Even though he's 4, he wrestled many 5 and 6 year olds. He was definitely the lightest at many meets but he's a pretty fierce competitor. Now if we want him to eat something, we'll tell him that the other wrestlers eat it to get strong too and then he'll try it. Talin so badly wants to wrestle but has to wait until he turns 4 which is at the very end of this next wrestling season. It's going to be so hard for him to watch. He actually got to wrestle at one of the matches in the Spring and did really, really well. 

Needless to say, their dad is very, very proud! 

Ronald with one of this trophies and his DS (a must at wrestling meets).

The Unity Rockets team

One of his many first place finishes!

The Baker Wrestling Stance :)

Shaking hands before their match

It's only been a couple of years...

So, we are finally back from our two year long hiatus. The boys and I have been very busy but we thought let you back in on our lives. We are excited to welcome our third boy this coming October...and no, we don't have a name yet! Ronald just started Kindergarten and is becoming such a big boy. Talin is still at The Caring Place, driving his teachers crazy and learning something new everyday. Ron is still at Carle and loving his job and I'm still in school (my fourth year) and I hope to be done in a year to a year and a half.

We have so many pictures and I have so many stories that I'm not quite sure where to start so I hope to begin by adding a bit at a time!