speaking of weddings

{These two handsome little doves are all fitted for their tuxedos and ready for their grand entrance.}

William especially loved his shiny black shoes. He can't wait to wear them for the whole day on July 2nd.

{And this handsome boy looks so grown in these pictures. I almost cried thinking about doing this again with him but the next time for prom.}

They love their Aunt Rachel and we can't wait for the big day! 

p.s. they have both had haircuts since these pictures. so no need to worry.

the happy couple

I spent last Friday night with this soon-to-be Mr and Mrs.

Their wedding is less than 3 short weeks away. 

{Rachel wanted to have a few pictures for some wedding projects she is working on.}

We found a spot downtown we loved. 

{And might I add that Joe was a very good sport. No grown man wants his picture taken, ever.}

Congratulations, you two!

{I'm so excited for your big day. Rachel, you will be a gorgeous bride!}

{We rounded out the weekend with Rachel's bachelorette party in Chicago on Saturday.}

We spent the afternoon at the spa.

And went to a late dinner at a delicious Italian restaurant where we ate tons of great food and gifted Rachel with personal gifts and cracked up together.  

Happy Wedding Rachel! I know your party was supposed to be your "last fling", but let me assure you we will have many more fun times to come!

4-steps

{This is my solution to living 30 minutes from the nearest Dunkin Donuts.}

You will probably find me brewing this up every afternoon in this sticky hot summer heat. Lemonade for the sweet children and iced coffee for the mama. Can't say I mind it one bit.

{By the way, I just picked up the new Coffee-mate all natural creamer. It's yummy and says it only contains 4 ingredients: milk & cream, sugar, natural vanilla flavor.}

meet the team

 

I got roped into being assistant t-ball coach when on night one of practice Patrick introduced me as "coach Christina". I'm in charge of dug out pep talks, handing out popsicles and wrangling the little players when it's their turn to bat {you know, all of the important stuff}.
It's okay though,
{it's actually a lot of fun!}

{The boys and my dad. They loved that he surprised them and came to their game on Saturday.}

{Oma with Henry and William.} 

There was a lot of grandparent love at the game last Saturday and we loved every minute. It was super hot but also really fun. And popsicles after the game always help, too.

the gateway city

On Thursday we went to St Louis. Patrick bought tickets to see the Cardinal's game and the boys were so excited. 

{They were excited, seriously. But they were sleepy too and it was a night game, so I'm thankful they napped in the car.}

{the Arch.}

We arrived a few hours before the game so we would have some time to explore downtown St Louis. The boys loved standing underneath this massive metal giant and being able to touch the steel with their hands.

Then we decided to go up into the Arch.  And the ride to the top is quite the experience. First there's lots of standing in lines and waiting, and then the teeny tiny elevator-ish pod that comfortably {or claustrophobically} raises you to the top. And since the Arch isn't just a straight structure, there is a lot of turning and jigging to get you there.

But once you are there it is worth it; oh, it is very worth every minute in line and suffocating second in the elevator pod.

{St Louis is a beautiful city. And this is an amazing way to view it.}

 For dinner we went to the stadium and ordered jumbo dogs and popcorn and giant sodas in souvenir cups donning the face and batting record of Albert Pujols.

The Cardinals played the Giants and after a 3-0 lead to start they ended up losing {pretty badly}. It was William's first major league game. He pretty much lost interest shortly before the game started. He was, however, impressed with walking around the stadium, watching the people behind us and ordering concessions.

{But this sweet boy; for him it was all magic.}

He was glued to every swing, pitch, run, catch, strike and out. I wish his favorite, number 5, had hit a home-run so he could have relished in the sound of the fireworks and the roar of the crowd. But it didn't stop him from cheering wildly every time he came up to bat anyway.

We spent the night with brother-in-law Greg and sister-in-law Cathy. The boys adore their older cousins. They played hide and seek in the morning together and some bball just before we left. Clayton defies his Vance genes breaking 6-feet and dunking the ball; he will be heading to Colorado this fall for his freshman year of college. He and Haydn were pretty much my boys' ages now when I first met them; they slept in racecar beds and bounced off their "uncle Pat". 

It goes by in a blink, baby, that's for sure. That's what makes these midweek getaways all the more worthwhile. Stockpiling experiences and adventures in our bank of memories is at the top of our agenda this summer.

a project

{I'm excited about a little something I get to work on for Holly's wedding. Here's a hint: it's for her reception and has to do with pictures and flowers and bible verses. My sweet friend is getting married next month. Can't wait! I'm so happy for her!}

when it's hot outside...

Dolly turns to a lazy lounger who can't be bothered.
And if I'm being honest, I feel like doing just the same!
Hello June and Welcome Summer!