a little bling for Stella

Sweet Stella has been talking about getting earrings like mommy for a couple of weeks.  I know that there are lots of opinions on getting little girls' ears pierced, but since she has been talking about Justin and I decided that it was a good time for me to take her.  I did some research because I wanted to find a place that did both ears at the same time and that it would be a fun experience for her.  And so off to Sweet 'n' Sassy we went....

When we got there, they sat her in a big pink chair.  (I brought her Dude along because I thought she might want him.)

You can't tell very well, but they drew the dots with markers first so I could check them out.  They looked good, so I gave the "go ahead."

Being so brave...I didn't tell her that it might hurt a bit.  I just explained to her that a someone else had to put them in the first time.  Here we go...

All done.  A few tears, but nothing a sucker couldn't change.

Since we were already at Sweet 'n' Sassy, I figured we could just treat little miss to something else...so braids in the hair with glitter it was.  All while watching Cinderella.  This sweet little one was in heaven.

All done....

My Sweet Stella Marie - with big girl earrings and braids. 

Chicago with the Halls

On Thursday, we all packed up and headed to Chicago.  I was thankful that we had two more days together - I might have been a mess saying good-bye already.  Chicago was an experience.  I feel like we barely scraped the surface of the city, and I already want to go back.  And our camera died while we were there, so all my pics are from my phone.  Not the best quality, but they at least document the trip.

Here are Kendra and I before we headed out on Thursday morning.  I am so blessed my this sweet friendship.  I am so thankful that God had us start teaching at Bluebonnet almost 10 years ago together - I love that despite distance, we are as close as ever.  As our principal texted me the other day and said, "This is a friendship made in heaven."  And I totally agree with her.  God has abundantly blessed me with a few "forever friends" and I am so very thankful that this is one of them.

Ok....so the Chicago pictures.
Here I am with the kids after making it downtown.  So excited.

Yes, I bought this amazingly yummy treat on Navy Pier.

World Famous Popcorn.

The McCord's and Hall's at Navy Pier.

Yummy Chicago Pizza with a special guest, RJ.

Friday we headed to the Chicago Cubs game - and boy was it an experience.  Matt found us some great parking with a couple blocks of the stadium.  Everyone was so excited when we got there.  There was some rain in the forecast, but we thought it was going to by-pass the stadium.

That rain that we thought was going to pass us...well it came right to the field.  We sat down in our seats at 12:45 for a 1:20 game and as soon as we sat down, they announced that the new start time was 3:05 due to the weather.  Bummer.  So, we were there with 4 kids (thankfully with covered seats) waiting out the rain.  We ate some ballpark food, walked around, ate some more, bought some treats, and ate some more. 

And finally at 3:45, the tarp came off and the place erupted.  Then they told us that the new start time was 4:35.  So we waited a little longer.

All (except Stella) were still smiles.  We enjoyed 3 innings of the actual game, although we were there long enough for a whole game.

And here we all are ... the McCord's and the Hall's

Ahhhh....what a wonderful trip.
All of it.
I can't believe it actually happened. 
It went by fast - too fast.
I miss my friend already.  And I have only been home 2 days.
But we are already planning our "next time" - I'm trying to get her here.  This fall!!

Thank you Hall Family for a fabulously wonderful vacation.  We are oh so thankful for all 4 of you.  And can't wait to see you again soon.  Thank you for all the fun memories.  Our hearts are so very full.  Love you all.

a little farm in wisconsin.

on Wednesday we headed out to a petting farm.  it was amazing and we all loved it. 

we walked around with our "farmer" to see everything the first time and then we got to go back and see any of the animals again.  

there were chickens just walking around.

the pigs.

little bunny

the goats.

we got to feed them first and then we headed into their pen.

there were lots of babies and pierce got really good picking them up.

the sheep.

their "baa" was so funny.  sounded like people.

and they weren't to big on being petted.

sweet mckenna.

she was such a trooper.

a huge pig.

pony rides.

milking a cow.

norma, the cow.

a farm experience isn't complete without a tractor ride.

this might have been the highlight.

the chickens.

and yes, we ran around and caught them.

justin was the best, but pierce learned pretty quick.

oh the geese....

the farmer said they were hard to catch, but could be done.

so...we sent justin and matt in the pen to catch one.  

and justin was successful.

and this beautiful peacock just roamed around the farm.

this little farm is exactly what i picture the farm in Charlotte's Web to be like. 

i imagine that they all wander around in the evenings and chat about the day....

this was a perfect adventure.