JJ & Luke did great on their big trip to Denver!

On our trip to Denver for Grandma Gwenn's funeral, we made a lot of stops to give the boys time to stretch their legs.

JJ found a tractor - he can spot one anywhere!

Oooops...lost his britches! (that's his frustrated stance he makes as we laugh and take pictures)

"fine...if you won't help, I'll do it myself!"

Cute pose, J

Luke and Mommy hanging out in the car.

Sweet boy

Grandma Gwenn's Funeral

Grandma Gwenn passed away August 5, 2009. She spent her last two months in Chicago with Rudy and Marta. We are so grateful for that time. We miss her but are so grateful that she is finally with her husband and daughter.

Grandma Gwenn's 90th birthday party, July 2008

Couldn't resist...JJ sucking on one of the shells from the shots fired for Grandma. Oops...got his head stuck in the fence at the cemetery!

This is what we call "slap-happy." JJ was very short on sleep for most of our trip to Denver, CO for the funeral, so manners were often out the window!

Saturday Funnies

"Help! Mommy lost me in the laundry!"

JJ wearing Daddy's golf hat, watching the golf channel, and practicing when his neck gets tired.

Just like the pros.

Dog Days

Luke is getting so big! He loves his dog blanket...he is fascinated with the tongue!

new discoveries

JJ has discovered that if he wants something up on the counter, all he needs to do is push a chair over and dig in! I overheard the chair sliding across the floor and soon the crinkle of a plastic bag. I peeked around the corner with the camera to see what he was into...this is what I found.

YUM...JJ's favorite snack is any kind of cereal.

Once he realized I was there, he proceeded to tell me about his cereal adventures.

"bike ride to the park!"

So I've been training for a half marathon that I am running in less than a week so I have to do a lot of running. JJ doesn't mind because he knows we end our "bike ride" (he calls the stroller a bike) at the park by our house. And Luke doesn't mind because he usually just sleeps - good boys!!

Here the boys are in the great double jogging stroller Jill (my sister in law) gave me after Luke was born.

And here we are at the park. I decided to take lots of photos because both boys were just being so good and smiley.

JJ LOVES the red swing.

JJ playing on the fireman's pole.


JJ is not a fan of dirty hands. The first thing he does if he falls down is look at his hands for a while, then he dusts them off.


peek-a-boo J!

Turns out Luke liked the swing too! What a little cutie.

Is he too young to be posing???

"Seriously Mom, you've been following me around with that camera for the last half-hour...can you just give me a push?!"

Cute Brothers

When they are happy and awake at the same time, I have to pull out the camera!

Random Goodies!

Luke loves this toy! He watches the little smiley face above him and just talks to it and laughs!

JJ never wants his picture taken, but when I was taking pics of Luke, he stepped right in!

I love nighttime with the boys - they are so energetic and fun. This is Daddy's trick with Luke...doesn't he look like a little angel with his sleep sack on?!

Happy 4th of July!

For the weekend of the 4th, our friends Andrew & Erika Young (and baby Keegan!) came from Cincinnati to visit--we had a blast! We spent the day on Friday in Chicago showing them around the city. That night we played games and ate Giordano's pizza...yum! Saturday we spent the day with Jared's family and my sister Jen and her family. Sunday we went to church, came home and ate lunch, and then sent the Young's on their way...so sad! We had a great weekend and hope to see them again soon. Thanks for making the trip guys!

Sears tower (lines were ridiculously long so we just got our picture in front of the building)
ps...how do you like the make-shift double stroller?? Luke inside and JJ on top!

Andrew, Erika, and Keegan riding in the water Taxi on the Chicago river

Luke smiling at Grandma Marta

Hope Luke's cute smile made up for JJ's nap in Grandma Marta's office GONE BAD! Yes, those are her scriptures he tore pages out of...oh JJ.

Like Father, Like Son

JJ loves playing golf with Daddy...now, apparently he likes to study best practices also! I found him with Jared's golf technique book--gotta love it!

Don't worry, he found time to fit in a little spiritual nourishment as well.