We had an AMAZING vacation to Illinois from June 2-18.  We visited the Mulshines (Barry, Belinda, Aidan, Evan, & Keaton) and the Peechers (Mark, Tracie, Ben, Eli, & Zac) and then met up with the Eppersons (Dan, Colleen, Canaan, Annelise, Zade, & Asher) at the Peecher house.  Then we all ended up in Chicago the last few days.  It was SO fun hanging out with ALL my siblings and their wonderful families!  Thanks to Barry & Belinda and Mark & Tracie for their hospitality!

 The "Knight Show" - the kids had it all choreographed

Playing the game of "Things" at the Mulshines!  We had so much fun with the Mulshines - MANY games of ping-pong, swimming pool, smores in their nice firepit, games, shopping, and more!  We just love spending time with family!

Checking out a Lincoln statue in Champaign/Urbana

Chillin at the new Peecher house - they just moved in 10 days earlier!  We had so much fun hanging out with the Peechers.  They now live a block from the U of I and so we enjoyed walking around and visiting the campus.  Played pool in the basement and enjoyed spending time with everyone!

Then we all went to Chicago!  Had lunch at the hot dog stand before heading into the Field Museum

 Field Museum

Medieval Times, the kids LOVED this! 

 Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago.  This is only of some of the cousins.  All the cousins were there, except for Ben because he was at a camp.

Kian & Keaton 

Grace in Daddy's hat =)

Eating at Ed Debevic's, our waitress was hilarious!

Group hug at the Sears Tower

Skydeck, nice clear day we could see Michigan!

Giordano's .... yummy Chicago style pizza!!  It sure is fun hanging out with all my siblings.  We had a great time - lots of laughs!

Naperville Riverwalk - we spent the day with the Mulshines visiting all my old stomping grounds - our house, schools, church, downtown, etc.

Centennial Beach - looks so nice now!  

Wish we had time to play there... maybe next time

The Embassy Suites we stayed in while we were in Chicago area  It was very nice and the breakfasts were the best!  Made to order omelets, pancakes, etc.

Hotel pool

Our hotel on way home in Nebraska.  Had waterslides for little kids & big kids!

Kian's Greek Mythology project on Achilles that he did all by himself.  

Halloween:  Batman, Batgirl, & Robin

Ready to go trick-or-treating

Grace posing

1st snow of the year

The kids LOVE the snow!!

Snowball fight!

Snow Angel

1st snowman of the season

This morning, enjoying chill time.

Grace, not so happy with her hair for Crazy Hair Night at AWANA.  (She was happy later after all the "so cute" comments she got)

The boys and their crazy hair

At Lagoon's Frightmares taking pics with the witches

Goofy kids

The monster crew were awesome and really liked the kids' costumes, especially the Joker.

Have to do a little pose, of course

Painting pumpkins while Daddy carves pumpkins

Here are the painted pumpkins - I'll try to take a pic of the carved ones tomorrow, including Randy's Phineas & Ferb

Gracie reminds me of Tracie...

...due to her LOVE of Spaghetti!!!  See??!

Our weekend

Since Kian started school, I started preschool at home with the twins.  Grace just started writing letters and she is doing SO good!  Ryland loves to write his name too.  My smart 4 year-olds.  =)

Yep this is a normal day

Spies, ninjas, secret agents, who knows.

I went to the Beth Moore conference with my Mom (I love you Mom!) on Friday night and Saturday morning.  It was a very powerful time!

Saturday afternoon we were invited to the Haywards cabin.  We stayed through Sunday and had tons of fun!  Thanks Tony & Shea!

A fort of trees

The beautiful lake.  The kids enjoyed skipping rocks in all the beauty.  =D

Grace & I were having girl time

The kids

After the cabin, we were exhausted so we went to Lagoon.   What?  Ya, I know.  We are crazy.