1,2,3...

And just like that she can ride a bike.  I guess we should have taught her sooner.  But look at that face.  She is so proud of herself.  Nice job Ms. A!

Encore photos

You know you need a vacation when you're willing to pack up five suitcases to their maximum capacity and travel across the entire country with your two kids and no husband.  In hindsight I must have seemed like a crazy person but there's actually not that much I would have done differently.  Except maybe giving Ian his very first spanking at a Benihana's and also the very loud two minute argument I had with Ben at the airport...about baked beans.  Ask me about it sometime, it's one for the record books.  The kids were really happy to be with so much family and mama was happy to drink ice tea, play cards, watch the entire first season of Downton Abbey with my cousins, shop at every TJ Maxx in all of upstate New York, eat ice cream every night, and soak up the hot hot sun.  

Little dude at the pool

Inseparable girls

Celebrating at our cousin Vicki's wedding.  Love Christy's blue eyes in this picture!

I-Pad to the rescue!

Our family reunion took place at Sea Breeze, my childhood vacation amusement park.  I have pictures

of me as a toddler on all of these rides.  Surreal but wonderful to see my own kids experiencing this special place.

Daredevil

Cotton candy joy

I missed this man

 Happy pose

 Sleeping in Grandpa's arms

After Sea Breeze we got to meet up for a few days with Ben's old college roomates and their beautiful families.  It was fun to catch up and see all the kiddos running amok.  

 

 

I love this picture!  The boys all had to double up.   

Family photo at the lakehouse 

Ava and her cousin Laci collecting shells

Goofing off at Lake Ontario

 

 

 

Ian picked up a few golf skills from Grandpa

As you can see, poor baby had to catch his naps on the fly.  Sometimes he liked to up the cuteness factor with a pair of headphones.   

Family photo at Steven's wedding

I have such beautiful cousins

After we drove back to Chicago we toured our old neighborhood.  It was even better then I remembered it.  I couldn't stay too long or my crush might have led to a little house hunting.  I had to remember the mantra, "no yard, too expensive, 2000 miles from my family, repeat."

Our first home 

Taking the city by way of the architectural cruise.  Obviously, Ian was riveted.  

Nai Nai took Ave to see Brave, and then bought her the doll.  She was sufficiently spoiled to last her well into her 6th birthday.

A final pool outing with the cousins.  I love Addy hamming it up in this picture.  She's becoming quite the diva.  

We're so thankful to have two great families that love on us and our kids.  We were cared for each day away.  Although, it feels pretty good to sleep in our own beds and eat a bowl of cereal for breakfast.  It will be nice to have a couple weeks at home before we start a few more summer adventures.

Gypsy numbers

25 days

300 pounds of luggage

4000 miles by plane

1200 miles by car

10 miles by boat

4 houses
2 hotels

2 weddings

3 birthdays

2 father's days

2 anniversaries

2 family reunions

1 college reunion

3 amusement parks

6 pools

Countless memories

This picture pretty much sums up our trip: Ian drinking a glass of punch (I hope) at 10pm out of a crystal goblet.
1. Excess
2. Celebration
3. Family
4. Flexible Mama

 We really started our summer off with a bang.  I can't believe how much we fit into one month.  And we haven't even gone strawberry picking yet, or sat on the porch swing, or had girls weekend, or gone camping....  Oh summer, you had me at the first crack of June, and I'm not letting go until October.

And just because they're adorable, here's one more shot of my lovies in their Sunday's best.  You have my permission to blow it up and frame it over your mantle.