Regulations

Welcome to Illinois

RULES

No Hiking after dark

No rappelling or scrambling on the rocks

No hiking off marked trails

No swimming or wading

No bicycling on hiking trails

Do not pick or remove anything including wildflowers (and lichens)

Keep pets on leash

Camping permitted only in the campground

Prohibited possess alcohol

MORE RULES

No swimming

No splashing

No racing

No standing up

No switching seats

Some of us don't like too many rules-

but after a little sandstone and apple ice cream at least two of us decided we could stay a little longer in a place where they have way too many rules

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Warren Dunes

Climbing the dune.
Griff got the best deal.
I could have stayed at the top of the dune ALL day.
Where are those toes?
Griff and Jack scooted down the dune!

Scary pirate campers!

This weekend we had a chance to camp for the first time this summer. We met up with the Starkeys and the Jaynes. It was a quick drive into Michigan, the best company around, fabulous campfire food, awesome sights (the beach has the best sand and water and NO salt or sharks!). Thanks to Amy for reserving the campsites. We needed this brief oasis!

Happy Graduation Dr. Steven D. Leavitt

I'm near tears today. BOO! for not being at graduation and BOO! for graduating and not making a doctor's salary, but hooray for a super amazing husband! Steve should be somewhere amongst millions of zoobies today...cursing all the way....but receiving recognition for his amazing work. Pomp and circumstance perhaps, but I'm still sorry. We love you Dr. Steve! We're going to celebrate with a real date tonight thanks to Robert and Laura.

Perfect Saturday

You should have seen this man row! I tried rowing for a stint and the Captain nearly threw me overboard. (Captain Jack that is)

Did I mention this guy had a bad day?

Wow, that girl is really good at riding her bike.... :)

Yesterday was perfect. We worked and played and I know Griff was fussy all day, but the rest of us were happy! Steve made my new bookshelf look absolutely amazing and put it in our room. That project alone took care of several messes. We moved furniture around in the living room, cleaned the garage and kitchen and vacuumed and somehow kept children fairly happy (excepting Griff of course who was loud and crazy all day). We went to Blackwell Forest Preserve just a couple miles away and rowed around the lake. We got home and set off on a bike ride! We watched a movie together and I ironed a train load of wrinkly things and then we read books. There you have it. Way more information than anyone wanted, but it was such a perfect day. Tomorrow's Monday.

Chicago, Chicago

I'll let the pictures do the talking, but we have been exploring Chicago and having a lot of fun. There is an equal amount of exploring here in Naperville. We're so happy to have Dad home and into his new career. We get free entrance to tons of museums so we'll keep you posted as we explore.

my dream

As soon as I look this good I will begin chasing my true passion.

Merry Go Round and Growing Up

Last week I found a merry-go-round on one of my runs! I love merry-go-rounds! I mentioned this to Steve when we were dating and he surprised me once with a drive to Elberta, UT and the best merry-go-round. This is still one of my sweetest memories with Steve.

Well, the weather has been pure misery, but then this evening a cool tickle of a breeze came out. The kids and I walked to this new park and I introduced Jack to the merry-go-round. We took it nice and slow.

Enter: Michael. Our new, four-year-old friend. Michael wanted us to really experience the merry-go-round, but I encouraged him to keep things slow so that no one got queasy. Michael's mom was nearby listening and probably thinking I was too cautious.

Jack and Michael ran around to visit the teeter totter, swings, sand etc and then came back to the merry-go-round. Long story short. Jack gave Michael a ride that he'll never forget. It wasn't fast. Really! I was watching and right there. Michael did that nasty cough that any a mother will recognize with pain. Three times he puked right there on the merry-go-round with Jack horrified and my jaw dropping. Grapes. Oh man...I kept apologizing and hefty Mikey clambered down to the grass. His mom didn't seem too happy...

I feel like Anne Shirley after Diana gets herself drunk on Marilla's current wine! Oh good grief. Worst of all, I kept having fits of giggles on the way home and Jack wanted to know why. If Leisy were along she would have a picture of the vomit, but I couldn't do it. I did take a picture before the main event though.

A Few Glimpses

The window between the kitchen and living room

Thanks G&G Leavitt! Jack is constantly working on projects!

Isn't this awesome! I'm keeping this forever. I kind of feel like this picture (Griff was up sick last night and Daddy has been gone forEVER)

OH Utah...how I didn't think I would miss you, but the humidity here is suffocating me!

My first kiddo bathroom! Thanks to mom, it's all decked out and darling!

I've been meaning to walk around and take some pictures, but I'm so exhausted....okay and I'm in the middle of a really great book (These Is My Words!!!). Things have moved in quickly. By about day number five I really did feel at home. Now I need to get the courage to tackle the garage.

The Wiemers came just in time to cheer me up. Then they left and made me REALLY miss home and everything and everyone familiar. It was SO FUN for me. Thanks guys!
Here's the old gang reunited and they tried to convince me they didn't need bathes after playing outside. Look at those faces!
Being the "baby".
Being the mom-Uh Oh Erin! :)

homeless/wanderer

"Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests"

ps - if Hailey starts asking anyone if they know any nice guys who are good with kids, put in a good word for me. I will be coming home to Chicagoland some day.

Home Again, Home Again

Welcome home pirate style (would you expect any different from this family?)

Naperville Riverwalk with cousins Katie and Taylor

Gelato at Gelati!

Chicago

Our Pirate Voyage to see the city!

This is long in coming I realize, and to make matters worse I don't have a great collection of photos. Apparently I've been too preoccupied! :) Everything has gone so nicely. We must have stock piled our blessings for this move because it's been fairly enjoyable. The drive (with mom's help) was actually fun! The kids were SO good. Jack never threw a fit and Griffy wasn't too fussy and the AC worked all but about thirty minutes. I really love our new area. It's close to just about everything and charming. Our home was put together fairly quickly and our new friends at church are great. Of course I'm missing the family, friends and mountain air, but the future looks promising.

An Era Ending

Does the picture tell the whole story? There is no glamor in moving, but many telltale signs. No one is sad for our move. It's been a long work that bring us to tomorrow morning, a moving truck and a long drive. It's actually sad. I didn't know if I would feel that emotion swirl around with all the others, but I certainly do and so does Steve.

I wish I had another picture to post. A picture of Steve in doctoral robes. That picture may or may not grace our blog in August, but I do get to say how incredibly proud I am of his accomplishment. He is officially a doctor and I'll claim that title also. He'll never own up to his achievement, but I LOVED every second of his Defense and I was amazed by the completeness of his work and his ideas. He's incredibly brilliant and his faith has blessed our family in so many beautiful ways.

For those of you wondering why Steven doesn't know if he'll walk across a stage for graduation, never forget his ability to know and speak his mind. You might consider any of the following topics:
graduation ceremonies
circumcision
Glen Canyon
Mount Meadow Massacre
evolution
non-native plants in Utah

Countdown

Less than two weeks and I'm totally exhausted. Jack's been an angel. Griff's oblivious.

And the World Goes Round and Round

Amy, Emily (the bride) and I.

My family minus Derek.

My younger cousins are getting married and I'm feeling like I'm not sixteen, but it's so much fun! This past weekend I rode with my Aunt Mary and cousins to Boise for Emily's sealing. Steve stayed and the kids stayed and I just couldn't get over how easy traveling was! I met up with Amy and my parents on Friday and we stayed super busy getting things ready for the wedding, but it was so much fun! I really missed Derek and Rachael and their kids.

With each additional reception, I begin to realize the great sacrifices of my family when Steve and I got married. Why not get married on December 20th...in Washington....with two months to plan....? Can you believe my parents still love me? Yeah, and they even send me really cool anniversary presents!

The pirate held down the fort.

The Ship That Will Never Set Sail

I wish I were the 'Pioneer Woman' or some other domesticated goddess, but I am not. I'm not really sure what I am yet. I do know that I have the most amazing mother. She's perfect. She is Mary Poppins and Floreline Maria in one (funny since it's the same person, right?). I remember perfect cakes and perfectly, sewn Halloween costumes and just perfect. Maybe her memories are different, but she can do no wrong in my eyes.

Which brings me abruptly to Jack's birthday cake and EVERY birthday cake excepting mine each and every blessed year. They should be creative and perfect and taste good. Why? I am mature enough to realize that it only matters to me. In the face of my lofty goals this recent cake starting creaking...whoa and then...CRACK! The whole stinkin thing broke through the middle of the helm! (there are no troubleshooting ideas on Family Fun!!!).

Here's the salvage job (I could have disguised the glass cups on each side, but I didn't want to fight anymore). Bless Jack...he was thrilled. To me, the cake tasted like a box cake (even with my adjusting) and looked a bit rattled, but to Jack it was almost good enough to climb aboard. SET OUT TO SEA MATEY!
Kate, my cuz, was amazing! She held and talked to Jack while he plugged his ears (sometimes for no apparent reason) at the parade on Saturday. Credit goes to Penny Penn too, but she wasn't here for this pic.
Here's the gang! They are so wonderful! Maybe they'll all move to Chicago with me! :)

A Wee Bit More Me Hearties!

What a fun birthday! Here is the wrap up of a very fun day....
The Party!(Aaaahh don't make me eat at Pirate Island! Loud, smelly, screaming children, bad food.....)
Jack was so surprised when we took him to Pirate Island. He thought we were dressing up to pick Steve up from BYU.

Look at that face! Jack loved every moment of Pirate Island (oh except getting kicked when playing on the pirate ship). He even got a parrot balloon!

Jack is feeding his "octopus" ice cream to his parrot. Steve is SO jealous! :)

Jack singing sea chanties and dancing!