WWII Re-enactment

So I haven't been blogging for quite some time now.  I finally have a moment to sit and type.  Wasn't sure what to write about....so here has been the boys' life lately....WWII (unless it is raining out, then it turns into Vietnam - thanks Forrest Gump)!!!  I believe that I am one of very few mom's that actually have a load of laundry that she has labeled "camo".  They have soooo much of it!!!

On Sunday, they went with Daddy and Grandpa to the nation's largest WWII Re-enactment and had a BLAST!!!  Here are some pics of their fun day....

Yes, they had to wear some of their "gear".  They were not too happy that they couldn't bring everything!!

I heard that Cale acutally "cocked" this when he got up there.  Those are blanks, but the guy freaked a little!

Look out!!!

They told me what kind of gun this was....sadly, I wasn't listening.

Hey...Auntie Lauren...I WANT JUICE!!!

They want this built in our back yard!!

Why am I thinking of MASH right now???  I know, wrong war!!

I don't think they really wanted to leave.

Coming Soon to a Blog Near You!!!

A new post!!!  I promise!!!

I'm here!!

Yes...I am here!!  Summer is in full swing and my computer is not!!!  It has to be sent away for repairs for 2-4 weeks (WHAT!?!?).  So for now, I am using my neighbor's extra laptop, which means no pictures can be posted because they are all on my laptop!!

So here is what is new...Cale went the the ADA Camp in June and LOVED IT!!!  Thankfully, it was not the hottest week of the year again like it was last year.  AND thankfully, the pool was open this year, unlike last year!! AND thankfully, the weather cooperated for all but one morning the entire week!  He had a blast!  He got to see his friends from last year and he made several new ones - including a very cute girl that lives right by the in-laws!!!  He got to see her again when we went to the 4th of July parade in Wonder Lake.  So adorable, when they first saw eachother there, they were so shy and then SNAP they were having a ball!!  Actually pretty funny to see two children with diabetes scrambling for all of the candy that was being thrown!  Also turns out that Pat's parents know her grandparents.  Small world!!!  It was great to find someone from camp that lives so close.  Everyone else from last year lived closer to Chicago.

Next week, we are going to attend the open house for the overnight camp that Cale will, hopefully, be attending next year (gotta get the application in right away. There is a huge waiting list for this year!)  His new friend will also be going to check it out.  He heard a lot about overnight camp from the counselors at day camp and is really starting to get excited about it.  I am too...no hotel for the week, sleep through the night (sounds ideal, probably won't happen...chances are that I will be up most nights worrying) and no math!!!!  I will post camp pics as soon as my computer is back...maybe.  By then it will be old news. 

The week before camp, we and by we I mean, my mom, the boys and I, braved it and went to Chicago for the Blackhawks parade.  We woke up SUPER early to take the train there and am I glad we took the first train out.  IT WAS PACKED!!!!  The train actually had to skip some stops.  It was standing room only and packed with people in red and black.  Thankfully, we got on at the very first stop. We actually got a pretty good spot on the parade route.  Cale was right on the street thanks to a VERY nice man who was there with his younger daughter.  Everyone around us was so nice and excited!  Only drawbacks, Ryan was being a pain in the butt (almost like how he acts when there is a full moon...those who know him know exactly what I am talking about!), it was kinda hot and the parade started late so they seemed to drive past us pretty quickly in order to get to the rally on time.  And the biggest drawback of all, Pat had to work.  He has waited his entire life for the Hawks to win the Stanley Cup and then he couldn't get off of work!  However, he insisted I take the boys so that they could say they were there.  We had ticker tape fall all over us, we saw the players AND WE SAW THE CUP!!!!!  It was great!!!  We made the very smart decision to skip the rally (hello....we were a mere 4 people out of an estimated 2 million!!) and went to lunch at a pizza place and watched most of it on the tv there.  We couldn't watch all of it, had to haul butt back to the train station in order to get a seat on the train back.  Luckily, we made it and we got seats!!!  It was memorable!  Again, I will post pics later, but by then....old news!!

This Saturday we will travel down to Coal City for Danny and Chris' wedding reception party/picnic.  Weather looks very promising.  Can't wait!  It should be a great time!

In two weeks, Cale is attending a Diabetes Basketball Camp near here for a few days.  He has been playing ball at the YMCA and now is excited to be going to this camp.  Added bonus....it's free!!!!

Other plans for this summer include going to Six Flags, Magic Waters, Silver Lake Beach and lots of swimming at the neighbor's house!!!  Pat and I are also hoping to take Cale up to Wolf River in Wisconsin for white water rafting.  We just need to find a place where the minimum age isn't 12.  He would have so much fun rafting!!  That is the perfect river to him to go his first time!!  And let's not forget...August 14th, Lauren and I are going to see Bret Michaels in concert with Firehouse and Warrant!!  Woo Hoo!!!!  8th row baby!!!  ROCK ON!!! 

So, that's what is happening here.  Busy, busy, busy!!

Here come the Hawks...

The 2010 Stanley Cup Champions...The Chicago Blackhawks!!!!!

 

It is a very happy time in our household.  My husband has waited his entire life to see the Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup.  Can I just say, he was physically ill when he got home from work last night in anticipation of the game.  He sat in his recliner so tense and sweating up a storm!!  And when overtime started...I thought he was going to have a stroke or something.   THEN...Patrick Kane fires it in and the lamp didn't light...but that didn't stop Kane from celebrating.  Once everyone realized what had happened....OH MY GOSH!!!!!  Craziness!!!!!  To quote Patrick Kane  "Holy Crap!" (he's so cute)

 

We are really wanting to go to the parade and rally downtown tomorrow....however, Pat doesn't think he can miss work.  How much does that bite for him??  I am contemplating taking the boys, but I have to say, it will be VERY overwhelming down there.  I will have to ponder that for the day.

He's 9!!!!

Nine years ago today, after a pretty easy pregnancy and then after a mere 6 hours of labor, Cale entered the world with gusto!!!!  I can't believe how fast the time has gone!! 

Here he is at just under 3 years old on "vacation" in Galena with Grandma and Grandpa....

  ...to today as the WWII Army guy with 2 of his biggest fans (the little ladies love him)!!!!

He went from loving ceiling fans and trailer hitches to being infatuated with the Army and WWII!!!  Drive through our subdivision and you will most likely see him in full combat gear along with his friend Ryan. 

This year, we had the family over for a BBQ on Sunday to celebrate.  We feasted on brats, hot dogs, burgers and of course cake and ice cream (Diabetes Schmiabetes...no such thing on your birthday!!)   He got LOTS of great presents.  Most of which pertained in some way to the Army...a make your own fort kit, several military books, 2 military guys, new binoculars, a super soaker, camo clothes, money and the promise to be taken to the Army Surplus store and his very own basketball hoop!  He is getting pretty good at basketball and now we can practice more at home!  FUN!! 

I think his favorite thing was having his best friend spend the night and all of today at the house.  Surprisingly, they passed out in the army fort by midnight....another big surprise, they were awake at 5:00 am!!!  Really???  They spent the whole day playing and we are all a bit tuckered out now.  Time to relax and get ready for the last couple days of school!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUDDY!!  I LOVE YOU!!!!