Book of Mormon for the Second and Third Time

 We gathered our pals once again and told them they must see Book of Mormon with us.  (Remember the first time a couple years ago?)  We made an event of it and spent the night in Chicago that night. 

 Book of Mormon Selfie!! Doesn't it look like the major Oscar selfie?? Ha!

 After the show, we went to Miller's Pub like we did last time.  Here's a shot of the boys!

 Here's a picture of the ladies! You can tell I was the one sitting by the heater.  Phew! It was hot!

 The next day we went shopping on Michigan Avenue. We stopped by Dylan's Candy Bar because CANDY!!! We found this massive gummy bear.  Delish!

During Charlotte's baptism, I was talking about seeing the show again and how everyone needed to see it.  Well I convinced my mom and my aunt to go too. The only time we could go was the very next week.  Ha!

 We tried to make it to the theater for an hour and a half once we got into Chicago.  It was horrible.  Why?? The Polish Constitution Day Parade was going on and blocking traffic!!! GRRR!

 Luckily we came super early and we made it! Book of Mormon selfie!

 Afterward, we ate at The Gage.  I ordered a Manhattan and started my new fave drink. Do you see the size of that ice cube though???

 After dinner, we walked to the bean and took pictures! TRIPLE SELFIE!

 Reverse selfie time! See us in the background??

 I took a pic of the sisters. 

 I tried to take some more but some unruly youth (literally) tumbled right into our shot! They were doing cartwheels or roundoffs or something.  It really turned out to be an awesome shot anyway though!

Gotta get a picture of that skyline!

I can now say I've seen Book of Mormon 3 times.  Yes I nearly have it memorized.  So go see it if you have a chance.  It's great!

Summer Fun

 Have you been wondering how the kids were doing in these last couple months? Let's throw down a few goofball shots to keep you updated...

 Deck Selfie!

 Does every child out there have a diaper popsicle picture? I hope so! I feel like it's tradition for a hot summer day. 

 How about a diaper only Mater-riding backwards helmet picture?

 How about two?

 Or three?  There she goes!

Tommy chowing on blueberries.

Oh these two! They are so fun!

Maria's Bachelorette in Vegas!

 Maria had an awesome idea to go to Vegas for her bachelorette party.  I couldn't help but agree! Off we went! I got up super early in the morning to catch a flight that had a layover in Denver so I could meet up with Maria and flight with her to Vegas from there.

 However, I arrived to the hotel by myself.  Wahh wahhhh.  Maria kind of sort of accidentally missed her flight.  It was so sad!

 The first four bachelorette partiers partied without Maria and Lindsey until they got there later that night.  We were definitely having fun! Caesars!

 When they finally got there, it was time to party! What a great view from our room!! So cool!

 We walked around and asked around as to where we should go.  Someone told us to check out O'Sheas.

 I couldn't believe they opened O'Sheas back up! How exciting! Beer pong for the masses!

 Hey look! It's the three Lindsey B's!! We had to go by straight up last names since they were all Lindsey B's.  Too funny. 

 Great photo op moment!

 After beer pong, Maria received a marriage proposal! Oh Vegas.

 The next day we hit the pool! These was the last seats by the pool pretty much. A bit too shady but we were able to get some sun during the day.

 Andrew sent me flowers to our hotel room for Mother's Day! #Husbandoftheyear #trynottocrynow

 Someone sent champagne to Maria for her bachelorette party.  She tried to pop it.  We all screamed.  Hilarious.

 Me and the future bride!

 Group pic!!

We brought the champagne with us to Planet Hollywood (in a water bottle like we were in high school or something). 

 Now it's time to see Britney!!

 Isn't she lucky this hollywood giiiirrrrllll???

 Check out that stage!!! Gigantic!

 Some sort of jungle theme going on here. ;) She totally jumped off that tree.  She was attached to wires though. 

 We sat next to this super fans. They all dressed up like a different version of Brit Brit.  They were also in their 30s like us.  They were hilarious.  You can get a red pleather outfit on etsy, by the way.  We asked. :)

 After the show, we hit the craps tables!!

I flew home on Sunday after the whirlwind weekend that was so fun.  I had my flower packed up with me.  No way I was leaving those there. 

What an awesome weekend we had! I miss my Maria so much.  I was so glad I got to spend the weekend with her celebrating her upcoming wedding!

HandleBar For the Second Time

Hey haven't we done this before?? Yes we have!! It was a lot COLDER and much more mustachioed.  This time around was just as fun and a bit sweatier.  :) 

So we got a similar group together to do the Handle Bar again! Another super fun evening of drinking on a giant bike! Yay! 

We had 3 people back out right before the date (we have to book these way in advance).  Somehow we filled the single spot no problem but the group was having trouble finding a couple to go.  I invited my bro and his new gf and they were a perfect addition! It would be nice to meet under less drink-y circumstances but really it was a great way to meet her! We had tons of fun! 

 Like shotgunning beers by the circle downtown!

And playing Credit Card Russian Roulette for the bar tab at Nine Irish Bros.  My poor brother lost.  Yikes!! Sorry Adam! Did not see that coming! NEVER put your credit card in for that game ever.  

 Our "driver" was super cool and let Ashley "drive" for a short stretch.  Hilarious!

 Then we stopped before we pulled into the garage and played 90s hip hop music and danced.  I'm not sure if this is dancing (above) but it's awesome.

 End of the night photo in the garage!

One final memory from the night.  Andrew tried on the helmet that they offer to riders for safety in case they would like one.  He pulls off pink so well, don't you think? :)

Charlotte's Baptism

Charlotte got baptized in April and I'm just now sitting down to blog about it.  We waited way too long again for her to be baptized.  She had an opinion and she wasn't afraid to share it! Tiny little newborns are a lot sleepier and less combative.  Oh well.  It made for an eventful baptism.  

Charlotte introduced herself to the priest that would baptize her by flipping him off inadvertently.  (It was definitely time to get her baptized!! :)
So Father Cassian asked us first thing where we thought he was before he came to St. Tom's.  We had no clue.  I guessed New York.  No, he was looking for Indiana University.  Bad start, Father.  Ha! But he was great! He then continued to quiz us on the bible, Catholicism, church traditions, the sacraments, etc, throughout the baptism.   Boy, did I realize how much I really did not know off the top of my head.  But it was extremely informative... and sweat-inducing!

 It's the big moment!! Charlotte did NOT enjoy this.  Lots of screaming.  Such a holy moment. :)  My Aunt Shiela did a WONDERFUL job taking pictures.  I wish I could have included all of them.  They were all so good.  But my computer is being horribly slow so I had to pare down a bit.  :(

 She was anointed with the oils. Do you know which sacraments involve oils?  Baptism, Confirmation, Ordination, and Anointing of the Sick.  I know that NOW anyway.  Ordination was the one we couldn't think of.  Charlotte was not a fan.

I really enjoy this church.  It's so unique and nothing like any other churches I've attended.

During the ceremony, Tommy didn't sit still.  He made use of the space at the front of the church. 

The one key moment I definitely have to document is that when Father Cassian announced she was baptized and everyone could give her a hand, Charlotte turned around and looked at everyone clapping... and started clapping herself.  After whining, crying or screaming through the ceremony, she was clapping all excited.  Father Cassian thought this was the funniest thing ever! He laughed so hard! My Aunt captured the moment perfectly!! Love this picture! 

 Charlotte had a pretty sour face basically until we left the church.  But we got our family photos anyway!

Here's Charlotte with her Godparents, Uncles Brandon and Adam and Aunts Erin and Cait.  Aww! 

 Charlotte's delish red velvet baptism cake! YUM!

 She really did love it! She still has the oils in her hair which is why she looked a bit greasy. ;)

 Then it was time for some bad to the bone Mater driving.  Little holy stinker.

Another awesome pic captured by Shiela that I had to include.  Tommy discovering the backyard.
It was seriously a lovely day to get family together to celebrate this important event.
Happy Baptism, Charlotte!