Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all the special men in our lives..Grandpa, Papa, Great-Papa, Great-Grandpa, Uncle Al, Uncle Joe, and Uncle Brian!  We are surrounded by great dads, grandpas, and Godfathers!  We hope everyone had a great day doing whatever it is they love the best!

 

 

And a very special Happy Father's Day to Rob!  He is the BEST Dad and his 3 girls sure think the world of him!!!

 

Our Father's Day was anything but relaxing...but it sure was fun!

 

We started the morning off with the annual Fishing Derby.  But this year had an exciting outcome....

 

 

Rob and the 2 girls fishing.  Libby was just watching and getting pointers for next year! 

 

And this year, the girls caught lots of fish.  Abigail caught 3 and Caitlin caught 2.  But look at this bad boy:

 

an 11 inch fish!  And this fish led to this:

Caitlin getting 2nd place in her age division.  Which lead to this:

Her 1st trophy!  She LOVES this trophy.  In fact, it's in her bed right now as she's napping!  It slept with her, ate with her...and woke me up at 5 in the morning!  :)  Congrats, Caitlin!!!!

 

After the fishing derby, it was off to the Kane County Cougar game.  It was crowded..and hot...but we saw some friends and had a great afternoon.  Really, anything the girls are doing with their daddy is a great day!  I caught this moment on the walk back to the car:

 

We are so blessed to have such an amazing Dad in our lives....Happy Father's Day, Rob!

Security

I've decided to make this blog private.  The girls are getting bigger and I want to keep them safe! 

I am thankful for all the loyal readers who have enjoyed watching our family grow!  So, please send me your email and I'll add you to the security list!  beth.wennerstrom@gmail.com

Thanks for understanding!!!!!

Swimming, Swinging, and all thing Summer

 

Wow have we been busy this summer.  I can't even begin to list how far behind I am at blogging...there was Gospel Brunch, Mother's Day, Rob's Birthday, trips to the zoo, concerts, galas...the list goes on.

 

We have stayed very busy this summer.  We have already been to 2 different zoos, many parks, a museum, and the pool numerous times..even on cold days!

 

Here are a few pictures from some fun days..and I'll start to go back and update pictures.

(Not sure why the pictures look so weird, I already deleted them off my phone so I'm not sure I can fix them)..

 

 

My crew cuddling at the pool.  This was the first really warm day and the pool was packed..and we loved every minute.  Abigail is quite the fish (or mermaid if you ask her) and loves swimming.  Caitlin has no fear...so thank goodness for her Puddle Jumper she wears!  Libby isn't loving the pool yet..she's my first baby to not love the water, so we may be adding swim lessons for her if this doesn't change!

 

My super happy girl hanging with me at the pool.  She continues to be the happiest baby! 

Our water table!  We enjoyed it one day...and then it got run over...so looks like I'll be purchasing a new one.  However, we did get a new little pool and we have enjoyed it.  How cute are their swim suits...makes you wanna eat watermelon, right???

 

One night after dinner we decided to go swinging at the park...and we NEEDED ice cream after all that swimming.  I love summer!!!!!  Any excuse for ice cream!

Libby's first real swing ride...she was a happy baby!

Her Michael Jordan tongue!

Big Girl Caitlin

Abigail flying away!

 

Libby also needs a huge update.  We are talking a 2 teeth, crawling, and sitting up update!!!!

6 Months and a Long Weekend Away

Libby turned 6 months this weekend!  And we celebrated with a LONG weekend at the cabin.  It was just what this family needed...5 days of down time and relaxation!

 

This weekend was a big weekend for Miss Libby.  She ate oatmeal for the first time and she learned how to roll over from her tummy to her back (she's been doing back to tummy for a while now) so now she's really on a roll...literally!

 

To say Libby likes oatmeal is an understatement.  She screams when it's over!  :)  We waited a lot longer with Libby than the other girls for oatmeal, and it made the transition much easier.  I'm still mainly feeding her, so oatmeal is a nice change of pace for her!

 

I love those "blue-ish" eyes...I know they are changing but I'm loving my blue-eyed, blond-haired (with red tints) baby!

More!!!!

Her "teething" smile.  We are hoping this 1st tooth pops through any day!!!!

 

And Libby may not have had a big old party like Abigail did (that's all I had to do with one baby and not working)...but she's not deprived.  We had gotten rid of all our baby toys, but we tooks Libs out and she come some cute new things..and are off to pick up her new exersaucer today!!!!!  (Thanks Craigslist)

Her gummy smile!

 

And here are a few fun pictures from our relaxing weekend at Nana and Papa's cabin.  We did a lot of resting....and eating...and drinking....it was great!  :)

Who doesn't love olive fingers????

Marshmallows on the campfire.  This day we actually cooked our whole lunch on the campfire (hot dogs).

And these marshmallows were followed by sticky baths!  :)

The girls each have their own beds at the cabin, but love to sleep together on the pullout couch...so cute!  Thanks Nana and Papa for having us for a super long weekend!!!!!

 

Libby hasn't had her 6 month doctor checkup...so I'll update more after that!

Our Little Graduate

Abigail had her preschool graduation.  I also had my 1st graduation as a teacher, so it was a busy morning!

 

I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE x100 our preschool.  It is such a wonderful place to learn and grow.  Today at the end of graduation, they gave each kid a DVD with pictures throughout the year, all set to music.  Well, that lead to 30 minutes of watching and crying(by me, not Abigail)...it was great!  Abigail will have this to look back at all her friends.

 

Her graduation was perfect.  Not too crazy with caps and gowns, but special with songs, mostly about Jesus!  It was just adorable.

 

Rob had to work so he couldn't be there...but then, right when it was starting, he surprised us and showed up!  Abigail told me "I didn't think Daddy was coming, but I hoped"...he drove 1 1/2 hrs from work to be there, then back 1 1/2 hrs back to work...what a Daddy!!!

 

The whole "graduating class" (3 classrooms).

Front and center, singing away!

 

Abigail with her teachers

Abigail and Luca....3 years together!

We are a proud mommy and daddy!

Abigail with her 1st teacher, Mrs. K.

Her special cake

All the girls celebrating!!!!

 

Congratulations Miss Abigail.  On to bigger and better things...the big KINDERGARTEN!

Caitlin's Last Day of 2's Pre-K

Caitlin had her last day of her 1st year of preschool.  What a year it was!  She grew leaps and bounds this year.  She is writing her name, counting to 30, and loving school.  She made adorable friends this year...her best friend is Nicky...he's her "boy"friend as opposed to her "girl"friend Mia. 

 

She is going to have the same teachers next year, she's just moving to the 3/4's program, which is for the older 3 year olds.  She loves her teachers more than anything, so we can't wait to see what next year brings!

 

What her teachers told me today:

 

*On Tuesday, they were talking about one of the teacher's graduation parties...and she mentioned Red Solo Cup...and Caitlin preceeded to sing the whole song "Red Solo Cup" for them!  Oh lord....

*The teacher went shopping for her theme for next year...and decided to stay away from any bug themes because of Caitlin's fear of bugs (see picture below).

 

 

Last Day of School

 

1st Day of School...my how she has grown!!!

My love bug.  Still in love with Elmo!

This is the best pictures after she saw a bug.  She has a FEAR (with all capital letters) of bugs.  I know all kids do, but she lets out a scream like no other.  And then, forget about it..she's done!

Saw a bug here too...she smiled but wouldn't stop looking at it.

Her cubby

 

Oh My...I love this picture.  All 3 of them putting their hands in the air!  What a trio!!!!

 

So, preschool is done...bring on summer!  We haven't decided what Caitlin is going to do this summer...she wants tee-ball, so we'll see.

The post where my "baby" becomes a little less of a "baby"...

And there she goes....

 

 

Into her last day of preschool!

 

After 3 years at this wonderful preschool, Abigail had her last day of preschool yesterday.  And I made it with only a quick few tears!  :)

 

It is absolutely amazing how much she has grown in the past 3 years...but especially the past year.  She has gained confidence and independence this year.  She has learned how to read and write.  She has formed real friendships.  She is a happy preschooler...at least for 1 more day until graduation tomorrow!

Her wonderful teachers who really helped her gain her confidence this year (and yes, the last day of school is backwards day so everyone's clothes are on backwards)

Last day of preschool

We're off!!!

Look at my adorable girls!!!!  They make me happy!

A comparision from the 1st day of preschool. (I keep going up to the similar picture above and back down..I can't believe how tall Abigail grew this year..no wonder we had to buy all new clothes this spring).

Abigal and Luca's last day

Abigail and Luca's 1st day this year!  Look at how many "bricks" they have grown.

 

Okay...and get ready for this!  We met Luca's family 5 1/2 years ago when Abigail and Luca's incubators were next to each other in the NICU.  Little did we know, the kids would go through 3 years of preschool together...they have literally grown up together.  Yesterday, Luca's mom send me this:

 

 

It is absolutely amazing that this 3lb and 2lb baby have grown into "kindergarteners" (Luca is the top baby, Abigail is the bottom baby).  We are very sad that the kids will be going to different kindergartens, but we are determined to keep them friends for life!

 

Today is Caitlin's last day of her 1st year of preschool..and tomorrow is Preschool graduation.  It's a bittersweet week...we are so excited for summer to be here, but can't believe this chapter if Abigail's life is closing...but an even better one is opening!