Summer is HERE!

The first family vacation of the summer to Kansas has occurred.  Joe finally got a break from the grind at work and we got to see a lot of family and enjoy the Kansas weather!  Thanks for hosting us.  Looking forward to July! 

Prior to heading out to Kansas though, we had a few firsts for the boys that we were able to capture! 

Charlie started swim lessons.  

And he loves his "Googles"

He also got to see his first extremely LONG train.  A good 8-10 minutes passed of me trying to catch a good picture of him.  Yes...he is posing for this one.  

Ben got his first haircut.  AND HE WAS AN ANGEL!  He didn't move AT ALL while she was cutting.  Total opposite from our first child. 

Before

During

Maybe Thomas the Train on the TV in front of him helped

So GROWN UP

And then we were off to Kansas.  The first night we were in town, we had family pictures taken.   I can't wait to see how they turned out...here were a few that they shared.  

Lots of fun was had while in Hoxie this time around.  The boys went fishing for the first time (AND CAUGHT A FISH), they got to dive into "teddy bear" birthday cakes, celebrated Grandma's 40th at "work" celebration with cookies and punch and got to see Aunt Millie and Aunt Mary Ann!  

A pro

Super chill

Charlie slapped the fish soon after this shot.  Made me laugh.

Oh boy.

Thanks for the ice cream!!! 

 It's not a trip home without a little fun with Bonnie and Carloff!  

The stay at the hotel was uneventful (THANK GOODNESS) on the way back to Naperville.  And since we've been back, we've been in GO MODE.  

Hotel iPad time

It's rare to catch this one sleeping...so we do it whenever we can!

We opened the pool.  YES!  Now we need some nephews to come swim in it.  

Charlie had his last day of 3's preschool. 

Charlie and his buddy Jack.  They've been hanging out since 6 weeks of age.  

Ben got his first ride on the train at Choo Choo Johnny's 

Charlie had his first dentist appointment.  20 TEETH! 

 And lots and lots of playtime at the park!! 

Can't wait to see all of you again soon!  As for our back hall/bath remodel...it was delayed another week by our contractor so perhaps I will post some fun pictures next time.  Have a great week!  

Goals.

Where have I been, you ask?  

I know...what's the point of a blog if you don't post anything to it.  Well the only logical conclusion I can make is that it has been approximately twelve weeks since I last posted...which matches up perfectly with the training program Joe and I have been on to run a half marathon.  AND.  The half marathon is done...and my free time is BACK!! 

Motivation for running 13.1 miles.
-  LOSE baby weight
-  Actually follow through on a (challenging) PERSONAL goal
-  Do something FUN with the hubby

It was the best thing I've done for myself in a long time...and it has definitely jump started Joe and I on a healthier lifestyle.  We are working on setting our next goal...and crossing our fingers that we can keep it up! 

So much has happened in the past three months with the boys. They've grown and are officially ONE year older!  Ben has a lot of teeth, is days away from walking and is proving to show us that while he is very mild-mannered and happy...he WILL get what he wants WHEN he wants it.  

 1st Birthday Party

First wagon ride...and not so sure about it.

Who is this guy?   

First swing. 

BEN! 

And Charlie speaks in full sentences, has an imagination that is out of control and can sing a full length song (yet is totally embarrassed if he catches you watching him!)

3rd Birthday Party

Good Morning

Arcade fun with DAD

Mini-Joe

The big event over the past three months was definitely Easter weekend...as it was the boy's birthday weekend!!  We celebrated with Joe's side of the family which means COUSINS!!!  Charlie and Ben are in love with Jake, Henry and George and had the time of their lives that weekend.  We headed into the city to the Museum of Science & Industry, searched for Easter eggs and had two birthday parties with plenty of cake.  Can't wait to open more presents in Kansas in a week or so.  Lucky KIDS!  

All BOYS

Henry teaching Ben a few things

Jake is SO GOOD with Ben!!!

Museum fun...JAKE!

HENRY!

GEORGE!

Easter egg loot...stuffing as much candy into their mouths as possible.  

Doesn't take much to make this guy happy.

Happy Easter...and thanks for celebrating our birthdays with us!

So what's coming up...Joe heads to California for three days next Monday, we are planning a trip to Kansas in two weeks, have a full remodel of our guest bath and laundry room scheduled in three weeks AND a super fun summer calendar shaping up!  Life is good in the Wysocki household and we can't wait to see all of you sooner than later.  Love to all! 

Home, Home on the Range.

We FINALLY made it back to Kansas for a little holiday time with the family.  All three of us siblings were back under the same roof for four days.  It had been a while!!  

The drive out.  Thanks Bonnie & Carloff for an EASY trip to Kansas. 

We traveled without Joe, who ended up battling both earnings season at the office AND burst pipes here at home in FREEZING weather conditions.  Thank you to CORI for seriously saving us thousands in repairs…and several gray hairs for Joe! 

Oh yeah…I was happy to miss all this.

The days WERE long for both of us but the week went by WAY too FAST.  Thanks for hosting us Mom & Dad.  And thanks Joe & Ted for taking care of business here on the home front.  

Highlights from the week…

1.  Getting away from FREEZING WEATHER in Chicago and enjoying some 50 degree days in Kansas. 

2.  TRACTORS and COMBINES galore…just two doors down from Grandma and Grandpa's house.  

Not just any walk to the park.

Around and around he went.

Yeah…that's a tractor rolling down the street.

3.  Mornings.

Messy…but two boys glued to TV (Mickey Mouse Clubhouse) every morning.

4.  Skipping naps in favor of ICE CREAM at the local soda fountain. 

"Look at my chocolate ice cream!" says the crazy sleepy kid

And today it is "confetti cake ice cream"

Love him

And love him.

5.  RUNNING around in Aunt Bonnie and Uncle Carloff's HUGE STUDIO.

Perfecting his army crawl

6.  BUBBLES and more

7.  Dogs

After Ben finished using Errol as a ladder to stand up…what a good dog! 

8.  Did I mention tractors

Representing CASE IH and JOHN DEERE here.  

9.  Uncles

Uncle Jeff wrapped around his finger

Uncle Carloff wrapped around his finger

10.  And fun at Grandma & Grandpa's HOUSE!!! 

"Popcorn and a movie!" says CRAZY SLEEPY KID

Opening Christmas gifts

Toys!!!

And PIZZA night.

Jeff and his fantastic girlfriend Cori.
What you don't see in the picture…Jeff rocking and Cori knitting.
A total glimpse of the future for these two!!!   

Of course every trip has to have a few downers…

1.  I'm not doing a car wash for a while with this kid. 

Stuck inside

Pure fear 

And 2.  Ending up in a hotel room with two kids on the drive back to Chicago.  It worked.  BUT BARELY!  

Did I mention Kansas is flat and VERY INTERESTING

Thank goodness for king sized beds.

OK…so it wasn't all bad.  

They had fun!

It was fantastic seeing everyone and we can't wait to be back home in July for the county fair.  I can guarantee CHAOS but hopefully some good memories just like this last trip.  Love to all!!