Fourth of July and my Aunt Colleen comes to visit!

Last week my Aunt Colleen came to visit. She watched me in the morning while my mom took a class. We had a ton of fun together---we played, watched Elmo, went to the pool and splashpad. It was great to hang out with her!

I also forgot to tell everyone that while I was on vacation I boycotted the pack and play...so mom put me in a big boy bed and I slept great! She was excited...since we will be needing that crib in just a few short months....however when we returned from vacation there was quite a scramble to get me a big boy bed (since I was not going to sleep in a crib...and I made that point loud and clear throughout the night!) Here is my dad putting it together...I of course offered a hand to help...


And here is mom reading me books on my first night in my new bed...

On Saturday we went to a 4th of July parade in Palatine! It was so fun to see all the firetrucks and cars...and I even got some flags and candy. The parade was quite long and hot...but fun! Afterwards, we had to say goodbye to my aunt, who headed home but then we went to a BBQ with some of my parents friends.




On Sunday, I got to go to Kim's house for ANOTHER BBQ!!! It was great. She had all my toys where I left them...so of course I drug them all out and played. I also enjoyed playing with all the high school kids, eating delicious food, and my first FIREWORKS show! I was such a trooper...I made it until after the fireworks (about 10:30!)









Sprinkler fun on the 4th of July and a little glimpse at our garden...


Playing at the Splash pad this week at Oberweis...I had a BLAST and was so brave running through the powerful streams of water. Afterwards...I got to enjoy icecream!! What a great way to end the day!

Part 2 Gulf Shores and Finally...Nashville

We are now back from our wonderful vacation! (We actually have been back for about a week...however I took a class this past week, and my sister was up visiting/watching Brayden for me...so we have been a little busy!) But here is a look at the rest of our vacation. Gulf Shores was absolutely wonderful! I had my doubts at first---Alabama for vacation!?!?!---but I take it all back...it was amazing there! We lucked out and had sunny weather the whole week! And...I am ready to go back!!
More beach time...

We decided to go on a dolphin cruise...we thought, Brayden will love being on a boat and seeing the dolphins jump out of the water...boy, we could not have been MORE WRONG!!! He was a TERROR on the boat...so much so that Aaron and I were both ready to jump ship...but here are some pics from the dolphin cruise. The first few are us still on land...he had fun there...then next ones are the only happy ones that I could weed out of this adventure. All in all...we still got to see a lot of dolphins...however, we will wait to do this again for a long time (or just go without kids!)






The Jefford family...we were so lucky to see Aunt Dibby and Teresa while we were there. They came to our condo one night and brought us the most delicious steamed gulf shrimp...so many that we got to enjoy them two nights!!

A quick trip to the park...one morning the guys went golfing, so Grandma and I took Brayden to the park...he loved it...although it was MUCH TOO HOT to stay too long!


A trip to Lulu's....this place was fabulous! It is owned by Jimmy's Buffet's sister....it is a restaurant and a kid's dream play place all in one...the wait was over an hour....but Brayden could not have cared less...he loved every second of the water and sand fun! If all restaurants could just be this kid friendly!




The Shark Store...this was Aaron's favorite store as a kid...so we had to go in!

Soaking up the sun and water as much as we can...







Our last breakfast on the beach...

NASHVILLE!!!! Since Nashville was about halfway between Gulf Shores and Chicago, we decided to stop there for the afternoon/night. We had fun walking around downtown and listening to some country tunes! Brayden loved all the "horses"...he blew kisses at them all!







What a great town!!!