The Bar is History

BRITTON IS DONE WITH LAW SCHOOL!

Ok, now that's out of my system. Once Britton finished with the Bar we took a mini 2 day 1 night history oriented vacation (the only one we get this summer). It was a surprise for my Mom's birthday (which is actually the 29th). All in all it was a total blast and I feel like I reconnected with my Midwest roots!

Chloe was pretty excited about the trip --- and her last ride in her baby car seat!

First we hit Hannibal, MO - the home of Mark Twain.
The highlight was the Hannibal Caves --- the same ones that Injun Joe hid in!

Then we stayed at a beautiful Inn at Fort Madison, IA on the Mississippi River. I have actually been to a lot of forts in my day and this was by far the most impressive.

Nonny trading her birthday presents at the Trading Post

Chloe was the lookout for any Indian Attacks

To the right is the view of our Inn from the Old Fort.


Our Grand Finale Destination was Nauvoo, IL - home of the Mormons before they hit the West with their addition of multiple wives. There was a great Museum explaining the roots of the Mormons, a movie and a horse drawn wagon tour of the town... and the reconstructed town as it was back in the day - a very beautiful place!

A view of the Mighty Mississippi from Nauvoo

Chloester and the horses & the burial sight of Joseph Smith, founder of Mormonism

A long time gone

Since our last update we've been very busy with visits and visitors...we took a trip to Grant's Farm, had a great family reunion in Peoria (where Chloe polka'd the night away with a real polka band!), a visit from cousin Anita and brothers Paul and Blake. We celebrated Britton's 27th birthday with a little trip to Six Flags... or as Britton might see it, "a little slice of Heaven."

Grant's Farm - Chloe really thought the display of old carriages was exciting

Tuckered out after the Farm

Family Reunion - First Skinny Dip

Happy Birthday Daddio!

Playin' - First Ponytail

Drumming

Britton is currently studying away for the bar.
I've been painting furniture, starting sewing lessons and searching for houses.
Chloe has been refusing to eat food that she can't pick up with her own hands, exploring new territory in the house all by herself and sleeping through the night...my personal "little slice of Heaven."
She has become completely obsessed with reading books.
Here she is reading with her uncles!

She's even in charge of turning the pages...cracks me up every time!

Mad Hatter

We recently realized that Chloe will let us put anything on her head and she just leaves it there.

We enjoyed a great Father's Day with a visit from my brother Bill and family!

In other Chloe news, this little cheeky girl thinks that she should turn 6 months old, grow a tooth, learn to crawl, stand and pull herself up in one week..... she tries to walk but still falls on her face. Needless to say my life is shockingly more hectic. Britton and I are pretty tired.

Bienvenido a Miami

Theirs nothing like entering the land of the Golden Girls. The flora and fauna are to die for. Chloe and I have been enjoying our "baby wrangling" adventure with Christine, Chuck and baby Matthew. We've been busy with a baptism, eating mangos from the yard, learning to crawl, packing up for Christine's move, cooking some delicious meals and taking many evening walks. Chloe is sad to say goodbye, especially to her new best friend Caleb the dog. But she is excited to soon be living only 3 1/2 hours from her cousin Matthew. I'm sad to say goodbye too, but not to the mosquitos...I've acquired about 50 bites...grrrrr.

Someone has learned to ham it up in front of the camera....

Welcome Matthew!

We are proud to welcome our newest godson/nephew Matthew into the world! He was born May 18th and he is perhaps the longest baby I've ever seen. I will be going down to Miami with little Chlo-ster in the next few weeks and I look forward to getting some rockin' snapshots of the cousins holding mangoes under the palmtrees.