Best Weekend Ever!

This weekend was arguable the best weekend in the history of weekends.

Friday we took Marin to her first Cubs game! Jason, Marin and I took the train downtown together that morning. I worked for a few hours and after a quick visit to my office, Marin and Jason met Aunt Lindsay and Uncle Jon (Jason's bestie) for breakfast and I met Jon, Jason and Marin at Wrigley just in time for the game to begin. Marin loved clapping for the teams (didn't matter which one) and sitting in her little seat, swinging her legs. I am a little concerned though- she tried to drink beer more than once. A true Cubs fan! :) Marin lasted the entire game without a single whimper- proof that she has the stamina to withstand the Cubs way-to-often losing streaks. Marin was awarded a certificate for attending her first game, and danced during the seventh inning stretch, before we headed back on the train to Geneva.

Saturday we woke up, sat on the deck, drank our coffee and read. Ahhhhhh. Weekend morning perfection! Then Marin and I played and went for a bike ride, while Jason got to work building the pergola. My parents just bought Marin this little water and sand table for the yard and Marin is in love with it! She plays with it for hours, and, the bonus is that while she plays I can relax close by on my bench in the yard. Double perfection.

Saturday evening we went to a party at our neighbors house for their daughter Laney's 3rd Birthday as well as a 4th of July party. Marin had a great time playing with all of the neighborhood children and Jason and I welcomed the chance for some adult conversations with our friends. Laney and her brother, Chase, have a motorized car that the kids were tooling around on in the backyard. When Finn, our neighbor got on he said to Marin, "Climb on da back, Mawin." I about died it was so adorable. Marin happily climbed on and they rode off into the sunset. :) It felt like it was her first date. I was sure to snap this picture and take a video, so we can embarrass them when they are 14. Marin fell asleep in her stroller at about 10:00pm and we went home shortly after.

The next day was the 4th of July, my favorite holiday after Christmas! I have great childhood memories of the 4th of July that conjure up all things summer. This year the 4th was extra special because Mika and Tom were in town and Tess was baptized. It was our first time seeing the little miracle in person and I just could not get enough. She is so tiny and absolutely gorgeous! Marin liked meeting her as well and gave her a kiss on her forehead. There were a lot of people there to celebrate Miss Tess and Marin loved seeing baby Logan as well and ran and squealed with Cooper and Benjamin.

After the baptism, we headed downtown to Jon's house for a backyard BBQ. Marin was in heaven when two more of her friends were there- Colin and Baby Estella! She had a great time playing in the yard when she got hot, she just dumped water right over her head. That's the way to do it! Jason and I had a great time relaxing and catching up with friends. Lindsay is so sweet and surprised me with a birthday balloon and a cookie cake. Delicious! Fireworks were going off all around us and the hundreds of booms per hour all night long made us feel like we were in Beirut. But it didn't keep Marin from once again falling asleep in her stroller until we headed home.

Since we were off the next day too, we decided to walk to Grahams for coffee and a sweet breakfast treat Monday morning. We all sat out on the patio and enjoyed the morning. Then Jason finished the pergola, which means that the deck is basically done. We just have to stain it and do some finishing trim pieces. After Marin's nap, we all headed to the pool where Marin acted more like a 10 year old than she did an almost 17 month old. She jumped in off the side, voluntarily put her face in, blew bubbles, kicked, splashed, and climbed on top of the little turtle in the water. Jason and I had a great time watching her be so happy. She clapped and laughed and loved when we tossed her in the air between the two of us. We ended Monday night with a delicious dinner with my parents on their front porch. It was so relaxing and the perfect end to a perfect weekend!!!

It is weekends like these that Jason and I feel so lucky to live the life we do. We took in a game, saw our loved ones, celebrated a miracle, partied with our friends, splashed in the water, finished projects and relaxed! Best Weekend EVER!