July 11

Off to 9:30 Mass this morning at St. Patrick's and then Grandpa took the "D's" for a dinghy ride, followed by hyrdro bike rides.

Drew and Davis - not so easy to pedal this thing!

After lunch we all "rested", with Brady taking a 3-hour nap.    Pool time in between showers (actually downpours) and then supper at Crawdad's.

  Silly little Cub Boy....

After some fun at the pool...

Tonight we are getting a torrential rain storm!    Whew - water, water everywhere (and I don't mean the IL River or the "ocean", as Connor thinks we're on)!!!!   Played a game of dominoes with Davis, the BIG winner!   The boys are looking forward to tomorrow and seeing their cousins!!!

July 10

Hot, sunny, humid day.......Mark washed Catrina and I tidied up inside in preparation for the arrival of our little guests.    We left for O'Hare at 10:15 and picked up the little darlin's at security.   Michael and Brooke took a later flight to DC for a few days of fun and business.    We loaded 'em up and headed to their great grandparents and had a nice visit, including some homemade cookies to take with us!

Sweet Brady snoozin' along the way... 

Gr Grandma and Grandpa C
 

Then to see Gr Grandpa Pete.........Mark took the boys to the vending machine room for snacks/drinks.    Drew has a temp (101.8) and has a headache.   Hmmmm

The boys and Gr Grandpa Pete

Got back to the boat, settled in and Mark left for WalMart to get a thermometer and some Advil/Tylenol.   Drew laid down with a cool cloth, an Advil and slept!    He feels better tonight and ate all of his grilled cheese (Grandpa went to Crawdads for carryout) and now the guys are all out for a walk and I cleaned up.    Hope the Drewby just has a quick bug and after a good night's sleep, he'll be good to go....

After supper, the guys all took a walk down by the river and here are some of their treasures

Drew is cool, ate a good supper and seems ok!   Early to bed tonight!

Boys will be Boys....

July 9

Friday morning and off to therapy with Diane.    Home to pack up and head to Catrina for a weekend of fun - tomorrow Drew, Davis and Brady arrive (we'll be picking them up at O'Hare)!   We each drove as not sure how long the boys will want to stay on the boat and I have to be back for 10:30 therapy Monday morning.    Stopped at Kroger for some groceries (with 3 growing boys coming aboard - stocked up on all kinds of stuff!)

Mark and I took a leisurely cruise to Starved Rock for late lunch - pretty day and lo and behold, right at the marina, there's "Weeta's" a very nice ladies boutique!   Cute clothes and jewelry....definitely a place to return to!

Went for a walk at night and then enjoyed the last of the blueberry cobbler Candy had sent home with us - yummy!!!   Even added the ice cream!    Wishing you all a fun, safe weekend!

July 8

Started the day off with laundry, running errands and then a manicure/pedicure.    Had 3:00 therapy with Diane and got a bit more info on the shoulder.  Because of the surgery to remove screw, it's all taking longer for the healing and manipulation to work (at this point, we're not sure how much scar tissue still remains, but definitely still have some).   So....we'll just keep plodding along for at least another 2-3 months.   I've not had Diane for several weeks and she's so nice and down-to-earth, so this "heart-to-heart"  was good, even though it wasn't exactly what I wanted to hear!    Once I get the final range of motion (or as much as I'm going to get,) then we start strengthening exercises!

Candy, our backyard neighbor invited us for ribs tonight and what a delight to be in her beautiful garden setting on a lovely summer evening.    Neighbors Sue and Saul joined us for a bountiful feast starting with frosty margaritas and quesadillas, followed by ribs, potato salad, cole slaw, baked beans and Mexican corn bread.................................all ending with warm blueberry cobbler and ice cream!    We are about to burst, but what good food and chatter throughout the evening!    THANK YOU, Candy!!!

Candy

Sue and Saul

Some of Candy's bountiful blossoms

Gorgeous deep blue hydrangeas

July 7

Lots of memories and sadness today....thinking back to one year ago and getting that call in Alaska that Mom had died and then the long trip home.    Mark, Anne and I went to 8:15 Mass which was for Mom.

Mark spent the day on Catrina doing odd jobs.    I had doctor appointment, did some birthday shopping for Connor and had 12:30 therapy - got my stitches out and raising that left arm really hurt like the dickens!!!

Rained a bit late afternoon, and then sunny - I went to Connor's 1st soccer practice (so cute) and then Mark had grilled pork chops when I got home.    Very sticky and humid out - more rain is a'comin.