Hello, July

I can't believe you're here already!

It's the last full month of summer. Isn't that crazy? I know technically summer doesn't end until September, but August is when Aidan starts kindergarten full time. Summer break will come to an end. CRAZY.

June went out with a bang. We had a great time hosting a cookout for my husband's side of the family. It was our IOU to them for helping us move and make our house ready to live in.
They helped us out a ton, so we thanked them by grilling out bacon-wrapped fillets, veggie kabobs, fruit salad, ice cream, and apple pie. Oh, and loaded baked potatoes, beer & wine. It was delicious, every bite of it.

With everyone here, we brought out the slip & slide. Aidan had a blast doing the slip & slide with his uncles. Everyone else had a blast watching them. Have you ever seen grown men do the slip&slide? I recommend it.
The month ended well, too, because we learned that Patrick finished his most recent class earning a 98%! That is great and I am proud of him. I am truly impressed by his dedication and work ethic. He is such a different student now than when we were in college together.

JULY
Busy beginning of the month for us!
Pat started his new class this week-Accounting. Sounds like fun, right? (wrong)
Tomorrow we head off to Milwaukee to see some good friends. I have not seen Alison since December 2006-I can't wait! I've never met her daughter, she's never met Brennan, and I get to see her pregnant! (She's having another girl, by the way) Thankfully they're not quite 6 hours away from us, so the drive is more manageable than other trips we take. Plus we get to drive through Chicago, which is always exciting. The boys will love it, getting to see all the trains.
Hopefully we can stop by Navy Pier on our way home.

Friday is Patrick's birthday-the old man is turning 29. ;) I've given him tips on how to be 29, since I'm a whopping 6 weeks older than him. I think I've prepared him alright.

Of course the 4th of July is this weekend. Oh, are you in need of a good cookout recipe? I posted yesterday over here, sharing 2 great dip recipes.

My father's birthday is this month, and towards the end of the month we're planning to drive down to the Raleigh area to visit my brother & his family. (Hi John & Erin!)
We've never seen their house, have yet to meet their newest baby (a-hem, my goddaughter;), and we have not seen them since December 2007. Way too long! It's nice because our kids seem to be on the same insane sleeping schedule. Wake up at the crack of dawn (if not earlier), hit the sack around 7 p.m. Nice.

I welcome July. June was nice, busy, but nice. Yet July holds some excitement, too.
What will you be doing this month? Any trips? Big milestones?

Menu Plan Monday--June 29, 2009

Monday: Leftovers and/or Sandwiches (finish turkey lunchmeat)
Tuesday: Pasta Night
Wednesday: Yummy Pork Chops, Potatoes, veggies
Thursday: On the road to Milwaukee!
Friday: Hubby's B-day, and we're visiting friends in Milwaukee :)

Busy week! We had a delicious weekend, having my in-laws over for a cookout, with filets, baked potatoes, fruit salad, apple pie...it was so good. Oh, and excellent pepper & onion skewers. Grilled peppers are the best.

This week we're finishing off our fridge, then Thursday afternoon heading to Wisconsin to visit a great friend of mine! I'm really looking forward to it. :) And, of course, my husband's birthday is on Friday, and the 4th on Saturday. Busy busy!

I hope you all have a great week. :)

Happy Birthday, Blogging Friend!

It's Andrea's Birthday!!!

Woo-hoo!

Happy Birthday, Andrea!

I've become friends with Andrea solely from blogging.
She was on another friend's blog roll, and I gradually got to know Andrea. I am so glad I clicked on over!

Andrea feels like a friend I've known forever. And yet, we've never been face to face.
We've exchanged mail, personal e-mails...many personal e-mails. ;)
Our lives are similar, and it's not a friendship that feels like work to maintain.

I look forward to meeting you one day in person, Andrea! Until then, let's keep those e-mails coming. I've sure enjoyed getting to know you! You are a great person.

I hope you have a wonderful birthday!!

In Honor Of

Michael Jackson passing away.
BUT...don't roll your eyes just yet. It's not just the fact that Michael Jackson died.
You see, I can't think of Michael Jackson without thinking of my sister.

She absolutely loved him growing up (still does). So many did.

I think he was amazingly talented. While the news may be going overboard (your own interpretation), for some people there is just no denying certain people who bring your childhood to mind. And if those memories are good memories, it's that much harder to think the end has come.
For many of us, those were good memories.

I first think of driving with my parents, brother, sister & her friend from Detroit to Akron so my sister could see MJ in concert. She was so thrilled. I recall his Off the Wall album playing nonstop. (is that right, Sue?)

He inspired my sister to dance, and she inspired me to dance. Dancing = my absolute favorite childhood memories.
That includes Anita's (dance school) performing Thriller, and I also remember Smooth Criminal somewhere. Hands down, Smooth Criminal was such amazing dancing.

Of course I think of Sue & Jeff's wedding reception. Has any other reception played as much Michael Jackson?!


Sue, I wish I was there with you to watch it all. I'd buy some good wine & give you hugs, followed by a dance party to all MJ songs! Tell Haleigh to do all that for me ( minus the alcohol, of course;).

Rest in Peace, Michael Jackson.

Can You Beat the Heat?

Usually the heat beats me, and I can't stand it. Ever since I was little, I have been sensitive to the heat.
I am not a summer-lover. Fall is more my season.
Heat & humidity make me irritable.

Lately we've been in the low 90's with high humidity. Oh so fun! (sarcasm, people)
I even stated yesterday that I hate summer.
I do.
I enjoy the time with my kids, I love having daylight longer, love the farmers markets...but not the weather.

Yesterday we tried to beat the heat, though, and if I do say so myself, we were successful!
All it took was a $5 sprinkler, play balls, and a blanket.
Oh, and 2 of the cutest boys who adore each other...that, too. ;)
Summer: 2
Us: 1

Summer is beating us so far, but we're fighting back!

Another thing to look forward to: Aidan's "girlfriend" invited us to join them at the pool for tot time (which is for parents & kids 5 & under...10-12. Sweet)
Our local pool is actually pretty nice, so we may join them sometime soon.

Watch out summer! We're going to have fun, despite your nasty weather!

Wordless Wednesday: Where were you six years ago?

I was in Hawaii, on my honeymoon. :)

I know it's been six years & bla bla bla...
I love reminiscing, and I absolutely loved our honeymoon. Not just because it was our honeymoon, but we both really enjoyed Hawaii. It was such an awesome place to visit.
I miss it every year at this time.
Hopefully we will go back one day.
Until then, I'm savoring my pictures.

3 Things

3 Movies I Want to See:

• 17 Again
• Up
• Imagine That

3 Places I'd Rather Be

• Hawaii
• South Carolina
• Seattle

3 Things I'm Looking Forward To

• My husband being done with his final
• My husband smiling again
• Going to our farmers market on Thursday

I am absolutely exhausted this morning. Brennan had a random, bad night. Aidan was up a little after 5:00 this morning, excited to see what the tooth fairy left for him (he lost his 2nd tooth yesterday).
I was up until almost midnight, waiting for Pat to come home. He was out working on his take-home final, and I just wanted a few minutes to actually see him and talk to him.

I am so stinking tired. This is about the best post I can come up with right now.
Now to go inhale some coffee...

Menu Plan Monday--June 22, 2009

I'm late getting my menu up. Aidan just lost his 2nd tooth! He sure is growing up fast. :)
Monday: Slow Baked Breaded Pork, mashed potatoes, green beans
Tuesday: Pasta night!
Wednesday: Ranch Primavera Light
Thursday: Honey Mustard Pork
Friday: Vegetable Stir-fry Over Rice