Gant Road Trip

Text message from Bryon on Saturday afternoon .... Road trip to Peoria to have drinks for Liz's birthday?

And because we are now back in the QC, and I have a very nice husband.... Why not?

It was a great evening to hang out with my brothers and sisters, have a few drinks and sing and dance with the band! Bummed that Keegan couldn't just hop in the car and come too, but I think he enjoyed a nice quiet evening at home to himself.

A few pictures to remember the evening... All on the iPhone so a bit blurry, but you get the picture of what our night was like!

SIBLINGS!

Hottie Sisters.....LOL

 

 

we LOVE the park

And what great weather we have had to make several visits to the park. I get camera crazy (well iPhone camera crazy) at the park.... just a few captures of the fun times the boys have at a visit to the park!

Oh, on weekends, we run our errands first - If they make "good choices" then we treat them to the park.

 My boys having fun on the slide....

 My little walker, enjoying the nature walk, across the bridge.

 Checking out a very cool tree.

 And climbing our way UP the tree too of course.

 EVERYTHING in the mouth.... when does this stage end again?

 Brother teaching him how to climb up the slides - "this is how you do it Chasers!"

CHICAGO

Our weekend getaway to celebrate our 10 Year Anniversary - a little trip to Chicago. We had an AMAZING time (well, except the rainy football game for me) A few phone pics (Yes, I can't believe I forgot the camera, although it would have been a pain to lug around everywhere anyways.

After stopping at a pretty cool little bar for a few drinks after our arrival - we enjoyed a nice, romantic dinner on the top of John Hancock building - followed by very late night Comedy Show at Second City.

 The next morning we were going to attempt this after breakfast, but the line was just too long for our patience....

 After some shopping on Michigan avenue, we headed out to Navy Pier. Windy for sure, but decent temps. How nice to just be able to walk around without an agenda!

 Yummmm.... pizza for a late lunch.

 And the stop at The Bean was very cool.

 A little picture for Chase!

 And I really did want to get a picture of us both, but the rain was non-stop, and my arms stayed under my poncho almost the ENTIRE game. Keegan  looked MUCH better in the poncho than me anyway!

We made one last stop at IKEA on the way out of town - what a GREAT little getaway. Thanks to the Grandparents for helping out with the busy boys so we could spend some quality time together.

Grandma Time

There have been many moments since we have been back that I have stopped and realized just the things we were missing back in Kansas, like more time with Grandparents, and Great Grandparents.

 

Went to my Mom's with just Lance the other night for dinner. Nice to just be able to spend a couple of hours together - and Lance never turns down a book, especially Curious George that he insisted we borrow from Grandma MaryAnn.

 

And since I am still without a job right now, I had the luxury of stopping with Chase to visit my Grandma's, his Great Grandma's! Such special times. Something we surely wouldn't be able to do if we were in Kansas.

Look at the smiles on BOTH of their faces. Chase's visit made Grandma's week I'm pretty sure.

He got some cuddle time with Grammy too!

Trick or Treat

All of the excitement of carving pumpkins, costumes, and trick or treating came and went very quickly! We had the help of the Gant group with carving pumpkins the weekend before Halloween when they stayed over at our house - our first overnight guests in the new house!

They picked some pretty tough carving designs and got a little tired and discouraged, SO I ended up carving 3 pumpkins. LOL. Next year I think we will be painting. Because as you can see from the below picture, Lance wasn't all too interested in carving. Just riding circles around the pumpkins with his helmet on!

Lance wanted Chase and Daisy to both be Spiderman. Chase wasn't too interested in the eye mask.

 Spiderman Lance

Both Spideys getting ready to Trick or Treat

 My attempt at Catwoman/Batman.

 Grandma MaryAnn, the good witch, stopped over with treats and to see the boys all dressed up - and helped pass out candy while we went trick or treating. Thanks Grandma.

 Grandma Connie and Grandpa stopped by too. Chase was out of his costume and back into his skeleton outfit

 Pretty cute little skeleton I must say :-)

 Lance was almost more excited when the trick or treators came to the door. he loved passing out the candy. Chase wasn't too far behind and while we were in the kitchen Chase found the goodies!

 Lance's class picture in their Halloween costumes.

 The adventure of carving pumpkins!

10 years later...

October 26, 2002 - The day we said "I DO"

10 years ago, on a beautiful fall day, we had the most amazing and memorable day EVER! We both can remember so many little details of that special day when we tied the knot and professed our love of each other in front of friends and family.......

And my how our lives and love have changed in 10 years. For better, not for worse of course :-) As I was scanning and editing this photo, Lance asked me "Why you dressed like a pretty princess Mommy?" And my heart grew bigger again, just like that!

Amazing how much can happen in 10 years. We moved 4 times, lived in 4 different states, lost my Dad and Grandpa, and 2 dogs, and we're given 2 miracles, our beautiful little boys! Plus much much more...... All in 10 years. So excited to see what the next 10 years will bring!

Happy Anniversary to us! I can't imagine creating memories and living my with anyone else!

Fall Photo Shoot

Oh, we miss Jerry.... I am attempting to take my own photos, with the help of Keegan of course. It was a pretty successful first attempt, if I do say so myself. Still some things to learn about my camera and the settings, but I'll take it. The most difficult was the family shot with the tripod.... the first attempt didn't go so well, so we got dressed again a couple of days later and gave it another try. Not as nice of weather and beautiful sunshine, but a successful family picture!

 And the only one that turned out with the first attempt.

 My sweet boys, brothers!

 One of my favorites, that Keegan took.

 Love this one..... Lance being sweet to Chase and Chase with his little grin.

 Dad and the boys

 Sweet Smiling Lance

 Being Silly......

 Blue eyed boy.

 Just having fun.

 Lookin up.

 Playing with the leaves....