Yeah...

I'm having trouble remembering all of the things we've done since the last update, so I apologize as this may be a little bit of a strange post... So lets see. We'll start off with the Milwaukee Zoo. We were there with the kids and Nana on Mother's day, as we did last year. I think it'll be fun to make that into a yearly tradition. Declan loved the animals, as always. We made certain to do the pony rides again. He really enjoyed those this year. He kept waving to every one he went past. Molli had a little bit of a meltdown when she got hungry, and the star parents that we are forgot to pack water to mix her formula. So we had to scramble to find some. The first attempt was from a machine, and the water was cold which Molli did not find amusing. We finally found our way to a cafe thing where we were able to get hot water. The animals were pretty active, and Declan would spend a few minutes looking at each before he decided it was time to move on. It was a nice Mothers day, and nice to spend the day with the kids, daddy, and Nana.


Daddy and Molli

Mommy and Molli

Mommy and Declan

D looking to cause some trouble

Hugging the moose!

Riding the ponies!



We couldn't ever get him to look at the camera!

Mooolllliiii

Declan and Nana looking at the Elephants

Next up was our visit with Grandma Branch. She came for the weekend to see the kids and to help me out with our garage sale. Devin was actually the one who ended up manning the sale most of the time (Thank you, Devin!!) as my mom and I spent some time together and with the kids. She had a lot of fun walking around with Declan. He was very interested in kicking the dandelions in peoples' yards. I actually went looking for them at one point because they hadn't returned. Turns out they were just on the other side of the block doing none other than, picking and kicking dandelions. :-). Her trip was too short, as are all the trips when family comes to visit.

Hangin out by the lake!

Pointing at the boats


Watching Phineas and Ferb on the phone

Checking stuff out at the lake!

Devin graduated from Moraine Park Technical College this spring, which we are all very proud of him for. I threw him a 'not so surprise-surprise party' at the fairgrounds. We only had family there since most every one else had something going on that weekend, but it was really nice. We ended up with WAY too much food, and we'll be eating brats and hotdogs for another couple of weeks (thanks Dad for suggesting we feed an army ;-)) Uncle Brendan was here from Boston, so it was nice to catch up with him, and give him a chance to meet little Miss Molli for the first time. On Sunday, we were able to catch up with our friends Chris and Phil who were not able to be at the party. We met them at a park in Oshkosh. It was SOOO hot that day, but thankfully it was windy and we were right next to the lake. We were able to find a nice table in the shade and enjoy the afternoon with them. It was so nice to see them, as we hadn't seen them in quite a while. They are expecting a little one of thier own in just a matter of days! So I can't wait to hear when that happens!!

Brendan, Grandpa Keenan and Declan

Grandma and Grandpa Keenan and the kids.

The boys bonding over the grill

Devin and his cake :-)

Phil and Declan (who has some serious see-food going on!)

Phil and Declan on the playground

Chris and Molli!

Memorial weekend was a blast. Goopa Brady, Devin, Myself and the kids all traveled down to Waukegan to meet up with my college friend Megan and her fiance Brandon. We went down there Saturday morning so we could all go to the Shedd Aquarium. I think Megan ended up spending more time with Declan than I did all weekend!! They seemed to have a great time together! She took him all over the aquarium, showing him all of the little critters and fish. The aquaium was really fun except we missed the dolphin/whale show. I was really bummed out about that! We had no idea that there was a designated time on the ticket, and they didn't accept late entries. It all worked out though. By that time, both kids were getting pretty crabby. We had some really awesome pizza at a restaurant they recommended. Needless to say, the kids slept REALLY well that night. On Sunday, they made us waffles for breakfast and took us to this really great park! Declan and Megan, again, had a blast together! They had 2 HUGE slides, a spinny merry-go-round thing, disc like swings, water fountains and more! The nice thing was that it was really hot that day, so Declan was able to play a little bit in the water! So overall it was a really fun weekend!!

Molli

All of us in the tent in the middle of the aquarium

Devin got a picture of Declan pouting becuase he wouldn't come in the picture

Megan and Declan on the slide

Bradoni Balogna

The kids playing

The net disc swing things

Riding the giant sea turtle

Goopa, Molli and I observing playtime

Megan showing Declan how to pump iron

Megan and Molli

Megan got sprayed!!!

Declan playing in the water fountain

Dressing up like a penguin

The statue in front of the aquarium

Water play

She looks so contemplative!

a GINORMOUS snapping turtle. That thing could take off a hand, easy!

D

The Family in front of the aquarium.. Like how we all match?!?

This past weekend we were able to rest!!! FINALLY!! It seems we are always soooo busy on the weekends going from one place to another. Coming up this weekend is Irish Fest in Oshkosh! WOO HOO! So the insanity that is our lives continues! I wouldn't trade it for the world though!!!!