Ellie loves Pat the Bunny {Summer 2015}

Ellie still loves Pat the Bunny. It was one of my favorite books as a child and I knew pretty much right away that we would incorporate that into her 1st birthday party theme. Here are some pictures of Ellie with her Pat the Bunny stuffed bunny and some  a ton of pictures that we took for her birthday invitation (we only used one picture but took 100 pictures).

She has crazy faces and moves :) 

This was such a special day because it was when she took her first steps! 

A collection of broken arm pictures {Summer 2015}

July 2nd was the day Gabe broke his arm. He fell off his bike and it just landed on his arm the wrong way. I was like 24 inches away from him and I still wasn't able to catch him in time. He handled being in a cast all summer like a champ and we have many pictures of him in his different colored casts.

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Hot Tubbin' It {Summer 2015}

Silly String {Summer 2015}

Popsicles {Summer 2015}

Butterflies {Summer 2015}

Since Lily was 3 or 4 years old we would get caterpillars and watch them change into butterflies. It's always been on our summer bucket list and 2015 was no exception. Though this year it's not on our list, I needed a break from butterflies and we just had ladybugs! Also, Maisy ate one butterfly last year and I'm not ready for a repeat of that! 

Kite Flying, Neighborhood Fest and Summer in Chicago {Summer 2015}

I was a slacker last year and hardly posted anything. I'm going to try to use the next month or so to post memories from last summer. We like to print out this blog and I don't want to forget any memories!

{Memories from Summer 2015}

{Kite Flying}

Lily flying our puppy kite

Love that we have a big field in our neighborhood to just run around 

Grace's turn

Ellie checking out our kite

We brought Maisy along too 

Peek-a-boo Ellie!

Gabe's turn

This was a few days before he broke his arm 

Lily is always a little mommy to Ellie

I love this picture- sweet sisters

snack time

Run, Maisy, Run!

Our favorite kite from The Outer banks, NC

Blue skies- summer perfection!

Give a girl a twirly dress and she will twirl... even if her underwear is showing! 

So much fun watching her big siblings fly their kites!

{Neighborhood Summer Fest} 
I love our neighborhood! The t-ball parade kicks off the summer neighborhood festival. We each get a hot dog, chips, pop and ice cream. It's nice chatting with neighbors and having the kids play on all the inflatables.

Our neighborhood has a t-ball parade and then a festival each summer. Here Lily is riding her scooter and passing out candy. 

Gabe collecting candy 

Grace passing out candy on the little train 

playing some basketball

aww I miss having a baby!

Grace looking in the silly mirror 

Grace on the zip line/ 

Lily going down the huge slide. 

{Summer in Chicago} 
We love spending summer days in Chicago. There is always so much going on and we usually end the visit with a trip to the "face fountains" in Millennium Park. This visit we stopped at the Willis Tower and checked out the Skydeck first!

Up at the top of the Willis Tower 

Standing on the skydeck! So cool and scary at the same time! 

Looking out on the city. 

and now onto the face fountains! They get soaked every time! We usually just pack an extra pair of underwear and sun dress. Though one time we did go to the City Target to get a new dress for them ;) 

Gabe was sleeping the whole time. 

Ellie loves the city too!
Seriously, her first smiles as a newborn appeared as we were walking around the city.