What happened to April

You know, the month between March (last post) and May (current date)?! We knew it would be busy before it even began...

On April 1, Beth returned from a long weekend trip to Las Vegas with a friend (and no baby!) for some fun in the sun.

In front of a fountain at The Wynn

Two weeks later, Grandma Sara and Grandpa D arrived to help care for Paige while Beth flew to NY for business. The grandparents left just before the stomach flu struck our household for the second time in two months. Paige & Beth got it bad; Steve got it just enough to feel queasy.

Our family before the stomach flu. Photo credit: Grandpa D.

Days later, Steve packed his suitcase for a 6-day training session in Orlando, leaving Beth on single-mom duty and still recovering from the flu. We slept a lot that week.

On April 23, Paige & Beth flew down to FL as well to meet up with Steve & visit with his parents, brother, sis-in-law, & nephew. We had fantastic weather & a really fun visit with the family. Paige loved chasing their cat. For days after we got home, we heard "meow meow" all over our house (even though we do not have a cat).

Family portrait

Paige makes friends with Chow Chow the cat

Cousin JJ teaches Paige some rock star moves

Paige with Grandma Joy

Paige models her swimsuit

2007 Holidays

What a whirlwind the last month has been! We went out to lunch on Christmas Eve at Jury's as a family, then attended mass at 4:30 to watch the older kids at Holy Trinity act out the Christmas story. We each opened one gift at home.


Christmas morning started early (as every morning does with our resident rooster). We opened our gifts and enjoyed a quiet day at home. Paige got caught up in the bows, ribbons, and brightly-colored paper, so that it took her over half an hour to open her loot! We made our own delicious Christmas dinner of ham, mashed potatoes, broccoli, and home-made fudge for dessert.


We welcomed friends from Tampa, as well as local friends, for a gathering on Dec 26. The kids ranged from 6 weeks to 2 1/2 years and got along wonderfully. We enjoyed hosting and hope it's the first of many parties we'll have in our new home.


We traveled to Ohio to see family after Christmas. Paige loved playing with her cousins, and the grandparents just ate up all the energy running around!

August Family Visits

We've been busy since our trek up to Milwaukee for the Wisconsin State Fair! We took a road trip to Ohio to visit family. We spent a day with Grandma Sara & Grandpa D, drove over to meet Great-grandma Kay, spent a day with Granpda Joe & Grandma Karen, and had an adventure at the Ohio State Fair with Mike, Molly, Payton, and Blake. Below are some photo high-lights.

When we returned from Ohio, Grandma Joy & grandpa Joe were in town for a visit, but we forgot the camera. They brought Paige her first pair of patent-leather shoes - a sure sign of good luck! We look forward to seeing them again in Sept & we will take lots of photos.

Paige with Grandma Sara & Grandpa D

Paige meets Great-Grandma Kay

Paige (alseep in mom's backpack), with mom & dad, Uncle Mike, Aunt Molly, cousins Payton & Blake, and Smokey the Bear at the Ohio State Fair

Paige with mom & dad, Grandpa Joe & Grandma Karen

Birthday fun

Paige took her third trip to Ohio this weekend to visit the family and sing happy birthday to her cousins, Payton and Blake. She took her first wagon ride in Grandpa Joe & Grandma Karen's red wagon. She watched the fish in Grandpa D's study, and she helped Grandma Sara make BBQ chicken sandwiches. Here she is having some fun in the Buckeye State.

Paige with Daddy and cousin Payton

Paige reaches out to cousin Blake

The birthday cake!

Paige with Grandma Sara and Grandpa David

Paige with Mom and Grandma Sara (three generations of smart women!)

Paige with Grandma Karen and Grandpa Joe

First swim in Florida

What a busy weekend! We arrived in Tampa on Thursday afternoon. On Thursday evening, we helped our pal Calvin celebrate his 2nd birthday (see photo). On Friday, we visited Grandma Joy (see photo) & Grandpa Joe, and Paige took her first swim in their swimming pool! (see photo) It was a very hot day (about 88* F), but the pool temp was about 80*, which felt a little chilly to us! Paige didn't fuss too much, but she clung to us like a little monkey. She kicked her feet a little and looked at us like, "Is this supposed to be fun?!"

The main reason for our trip was that Paige's cousin Cedric graduated from high school. The graduation ceremony was after Paige's bedtime, but she enjoyed the party the next day. See photo of Paige with Auntie Shantell and cousins Cedric & Joseph at the party.

Over the weekend, Paige also had her first trip to the beach in St. Petersburg, FL (see family beach portrait). She took a nap on the beach, then went in for a couple of short swims with Mom & Dad. She wasn't fussy about the cool water. She seemed to enjoy watching all the people in their brightly-colored swimsuits. She traveled like a champ, and we are all happy to be home in Chicago, sleeping in our own beds tonight.

Paige's baptism

On April 22, we celebrated Paige's baptism at Holy Trinity. We were thrilled to have the grandparents & other family & friends join us for the service and a celebratory lunch. Here's a photo from the big day.