Unexpected...

We had a visit with old friends when we were in Illinois.  You see... The Boyds (Justin, Heather, Olivia, and baby due in March) live overseas in Rota, Spain.  We've been in Canada, Washington and now Texas.  Needless to say, it hasn't been easy to try and coordinate a time to see each other.   But something unexpected happened.  We were all going to be in Illinois at the same time... and not just that... just 15 minutes away.  How lucky were we that we got to see each other in person?  The last time we saw them was summer of 2008, Olivia was just 11 months old (almost exactly the age of Vivian when they got to meet her!).  

Many thanks to the Boyds for reaching out to let us know we'd be in the same place at the same time.  No matter the time that passes, we always just pick up where we left off!  Love and Miss!

The Main Event

The main reason we were in Illinois was because Chad's brother, Keith was getting married.  Casse and Keith have been together 5 years now and have three children (Kylie, and twins Logan and Jackson).  They got married in Bloomington, IL at Miller Park Pavilion on a (bit brisk) but pretty Saturday the first weekend in October.  Chad served as best man, and Braden as the ring bearer.  Loads of family came in from Texas too.  Things went off without a hitch!

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Paula and her boys

Uncle Keith and Big B

Grandma and Miss Vivian

Sisters-in-Laws

A picture with all the family from Texas!   There are 23 people in this picture... 17 of us live in Texas!  Hope that's some good motivation for the rest of you!

Yes... I was the mom that packed the DVD player in case of emergency.  At this time all the boy Ramseys get to enjoy with Grandma.

Anything to entertain kids, right?  Everyone was so helpful with all the kids... and a special thank you to Christine taking a 30 minute hiatus from the reception to help me get kids to sleep!

Kids circling the cake... they just couldn't wait!!!

Just because I think she's pretty!

(And no, she isn't dirty... this new walker had fallen down and bruised her cheek!)

Saved my favorite for the end.  During the vows, Keith made his own vows to 4 year old daughter, Kylie.  Very touching!

Zoo with Friends...

While in Chicago I got the awesome pleasure of getting together with some friends and some kiddos on a gorgeous Tuesday afternoon at Brookfield Zoo.  I don't think I've been there since I was in junior high... it's big and between chasing around and tending to four different kids we didn't even make it all the way through!  The kids had an awesome time... and better yet I got to enjoy my girl friends on this perfect afternoon! 

First stop... the carousel! 

From L to R - Jill, helping out with Big B, Jack with mom, Katie and Aidan with mommy, Staci.

Vivian and I sat back as she was getting ready to take a snooze.

Little Man Aidan (4 weeks older than Viv) had just started walking...

Group shot!  And I know I'm not the only mom out there that sometimes find herself with that crazy thrown back head in the photos, it's like in my mind I think I'm leaning in and being cute while holding a 40 lb almost grumpy toddler while he's pushing me away.  I need to remember this is not a good look for me. 

Last stop... back to where we started!  Good times with good friends.  Thanks ladies!

Time for Cake!

Last month we took a road trip to Illinois (that's right, we drove straight through from Houston to Chicago... the kids did great).  We were gone ten days and got to have Vivian's first birthday party at my mom and uncle's house in Homewood.  Aside from the chilly weather, it was great and so good to see many friends and many of their little people!  There are too many pictures to share here, but I picked out a few... with major focus on Vivian's cake smash! :)  A big thank you to my mom and uncle for preparing food, renting tables and letting us host the event in their beautiful backyard.  We are also grateful to all our friends that make the trip in to celebrate with Miss Vivian!  Oh... and I must mention... the girl got tons of clothes... I knew all her "aunts" would keep this girl stylish!

Vivian with her cousin, Kylie.  I just had to include this because Vivian's face is hilarious.

Having a moment with Uncle Keith

Oooohhh... .Presents!!!

She's got it covered...

Big Brother Braden was really excited to help her... I gave him the job of opening up the cards. 

Birthday girl sitting in a chair all by herself... she's tired by now, she's skipped her afternoon nap.  Little does she know it's almost cake time!

Miss Vivian was not happy.  She just wanted some sleep...

Vivian:  Dad... what is going on?  What is this thing in front of me?  Why is everyone staring?  Why are they singing?

Dad:  Vivian... it will be ok, I promise.  Cake is good!!!

Still tears in her eyes, she tentatively starts...

No more tears!  This is delicious!

All tears forgotten...Hmmm... cake!

Planning her next plan of attack.

I AM ONE!

AND I AM DONE!

Never enough hands...

About a month ago, Chad was out of town for the weekend.  One morning I decided I would take the kids out to a nice lake area in our community and try to get some good photos.  Well... at the time Vivian wasn't walking... or even consistently standing on her own.  So... I would have been better off if I had an extra set of hands!  Although now that she's walking it may be a little easier.  Either way... I couldn't call this a super successful outing, but got a few that I liked, making it all worth it. 

My sweet blue-eyed babe

The sun was right in their eyes... but I couldn't get them sitting still again to try and turn them around. 

Then I got the idea that Braden should help Vivian stand up...

But you really should make it clear to the 3 year old holding the 11 month old... not to let go!!!

***  No children were harmed... Vivian actually got up laughing.*** 

See... happy girl, admiring her brother even after he dropped her on her head.  Their love is unconditional.

Big B was really excited about the Mallard Ducks. 

This three year old may drive me a little crazy sometimes... but he's sweet and loving too.  I love my little man!

Catch my breath...

I can't seem to catch up with life since our 10 day trip from Illinois.  It was great... celebrated Vivian's 1st birthday with friends and family, Keith and Casse got married, a night out with Chicago friends, hit up Joe'ss for football on Sunday Funday, a day at the zoo with some of my dearest friends, and a special surprise to visit friends that live overseas who happened to be Illinois at the same time we were!  I can't wait to write all about it, but that means I need to sort through the 500 plus pictures I took!  Which I haven't found the time for between putting out house back together, soccer practice, soccer game, fun visits from Chi-town friends (that's you Jeremy) in the area for work, and a family with kids around Braden's age over for an all day Funday Sunday event... and now... I've been attacked by what I think is a case of nasty allergies (I have never had them before... and now sympathize greatly with those of you with reoccurring allergy problems)... Braden has the beginning signs of croup (and is now being treated) and Miss Vivian has another ear infection (that's the 4th... no more baby girl, please!), she's gotten her two top molars while we were gone... and now the two pesky molars on the bottom are causing my baby girl some annoyance.  Between all that insanity I've been up with kids throughout the night... and then with the allergies, it takes forever to fall asleep again, and then I do... someone else is waking up... and repeat.  SO... I just can't catch my breath.  Well, I guess I could have, but it's more fun to take the kids for a walk, enjoying this PERFECT weather, and at the end of the day I have a date with the DVR since all the shows started up again and we had ten days of things recorded, and frankly I'm just tired so it's about the only thing I want to do. 

Was it possible to follow all that rambling?  Well, maybe it's all mumbo jumbo... but you know what I have to share that is easy to follow???  VIVIAN IS WALKING!  I'm so grateful that she took so many of those  first steps with our friends and family there to see such a huge milestone in Miss Vivian's sweet little life!