Midwest Reunion 2012

We just returned from another whirlwind trip to Indiana and Illinois to visit family and friends. It was so much fun, incredibly busy, and generally good for the soul :) The kids reunited with their grandparents and aunts and uncles whom they miss so much, and even got to play with old friends they haven't seen in years. Mike and I got together with lots of grown-up friends and even got to spend two nights in Chicago sans kids, thanks to the generous care of their Nina and Poppy.

Thank you to everyone who made our trip so special. Please come visit us soon!

Hugh and Frances, at the piano with Poppy

A trip to Butler to show the kids a real-life choir rehearsal

Frances and Hugh love playing at Nina and Poppy's house

Frances found my childhood Little Red Riding Hood cape

Frances & Nina

Visiting (soon-to-be) Nina & Poppy's beautiful new house!

Frances & Uncle Scott played in the backyard

...and so did Mike and Hugh

They both LOVED the music, of course

We visited our friends the Bernardonis at their gorgeous new home in Lake Bluff, IL. Here's Frances with her beloved buddy, Charlie.

The three amigos - Charlie, Frances & Beckett

Hitting the city with Gram!

Frances got to choose an American Girl doll to take home

She chose "Kit"

Happiest girl in Chicago, with her Gram and Aunt Maggie

Girls lunch at the American Girl Cafe

  

Meanwhile, Mike & Hugh had lunch with another good friend, Michael, whose Bang Bang Pie Shop in Logan Square is a beautiful and inspiring success: http://www.bangbangpie.com/

Frances and her friend Miles had a really fun playdate

...and Marlowe & Hugh were able to communicate together for the first time... too cute

More fun with Aunt Maggie...

...and Uncle Tom

Above: The bumpy slide at the park in Naperville: a perennial favorite :)

Our dynamic duo, tearing up the Children's Museum in Naperville

Happy Hugh, at Gram and Grandpa's house

 

Maggie and Frances... Stripey twins :)