The 'Apolises...

You know when you get so behind that procrastinating just becomes easier and easier and next thing you know a whole month has passed? Yeah, that just happened. Here's some catch up.

At the beginning of this month Jason and I left the girls with my parents and flew to Minneapolis for the weekend to visit our friends Ross and Emilie. We loved their new condo in the heart of downtown Minneapolis and had a great time eating at great restaurants, laughing, and even accepting a couple dares. We spent all day Saturday at a wine festival at Target Field and even snuck in a dinner with Bob, Gretchen, and the most adorable two year old twins on the planet.

We ended Saturday night at a bar in the oldest building in Minneapolis which was super cool, and rounded out a great weekend and a scrumptious breakfast place on the University of Minnesota campus.

My parents enjoyed the weekend with the girls very much, the highlight of which was a Grandma and Marin day on Saturday where they went to a children's play, and for lunch. Grandpa and Emilie had their own day too- where Emilie showed off all of her new tricks, most of which means not wanting to ever sit still. Ever. They played games and dolls, and took both girls to church with them on Sunday. When Jason and I got home Sunday night Marin was full of stories for us.

A few weekends later, the four of us hit the road to Indianapolis to visit friends Mike, Becky and Joel in their new home. Marin had an absolute blast playing with Joel all weekend long, and Emilie hung in there trying desperately to keep up with them. Emilie especially enjoyed some snuggle time with her Godfather. The very best part about Mike and Becky's new sprawling estate is the absolutely amazing backyard- complete with a built in outdoor grill, a 20 foot stone fireplace, an incredible patio and screened in porch, a hot tub, and an acre of grass to run in- at the back of which is a creek. Of course they have an amazing playset, that Marin went to bed talking about and woke up doing the same. They played house in there and by the end of the weekend made it their school, too. Becky made delicious dinners both nights, and Mike made awesome breakfasts on Saturday and Sunday morning.

We spent Saturday afternoon at the Indianapolis Zoo, where Marin had a chance to pet a shark, but got shy. I can't say I blame her. The kids rode the Merry-Go-Round, saw all the animals including unusually active hippos, and a baby elephant who won everyone's hearts. Uncle Mike treated all of the kids to anything in the gift shop that they chose- Marin chose a stuffed elephant that she named "Ellie" and a stuffed monkey for her sister that she named "Finn" (after her neighbor friend).

Each night when the kids were all tuckered out, we gave them a group bath and then tucked them in. And then we listened to Marin and Joel talking to each other from their rooms for about an hour until the dads put the smack down. Then the adults enjoyed fabulous wine and roaring fires on the patio, and took a few dips in the hot tub as well.

The kids played so well together and we all had such a great time, that I tried to will Sunday morning not to come. But of course it did, and we're already planning our next trip back.

We've been busy this month, but there is nothing better than catching up with great friends! Thank you Ross and Emilie and Mike and Becky!

Emilie's Baptismal Day!

Last Sunday was Emilie's first celebratory day dedicated only to her! It was her baptismal day; and it was gorgeous from start to finish.

Emilie was baptized at 4pm at Old St. Patrick's Church in Chicago, where Marin was baptized, wearing the same gown. Old St. Pat's is a very special church to our family, and I was overjoyed that Emilie was able to be welcomed into our faith at this beautiful church, the oldest public building in Chicago. It was a lovely ceremony, where four other children (all boys) were also baptized. Emilie did very well, and didn't cry a peep when the water was poured over her head. And, when the priest anointed her with the oils, she beamed up at him with wide eyes.

Since the ceremony was later in the day, and downtown, we celebrated with an 11am brunch at our house preceding the ceremony. We put a large canopy in the backyard and decorated tables to sit underneath it in the shade. But, at over 90 degrees in the shade, many people chose to be indoors as well. I made cheddar-dill scones, carrot muffins with an orange zest frosting, banana crunch muffins and zucchini bread, as well as ham and asparagus strata, yogurt and granola parfaits, asparagus spears, and a fruit platter. I also made a watermelon, lime and mint drink to beat the heat, and no brunch would be complete without mimosas. Along with cake, we had my moms famous lemon squares for dessert, and, just as she did for Marin's baptism, my sweet, sweet grandmother, at 93, brought an array of her famous sugar cookie cutouts, frosted and decorated to perfection.

It was a special day, attended by so many special people in our lives; a wonderful way for Emilie to begin her faith journey. We asked our dear friend Mike, to be Emilie's godfather, and Jason's sister, Lindsay to be her godmother. We know that they will be wonderful examples to Emilie, in both faith and character. She is a very lucky little girl to be loved so much by so many people!

It was a special day I know I'll never forget!