Well, I guess that picture above is the sunset over Peoria, but we were still in the area. :)
We journeyed to Pekin for Evan's friend Brian's wedding. Evan was a groomsman and Elisabeth was the flower girl. In the middle of the night, Elisabeth came to us telling us she'd fallen off the bed. She laid with us for a few minutes but kept saying "ow". Now, for those of you who don't know me well, I'm not much of a morning person. Elisabeth goes to Evan when she wakes up because he doesn't grump at her or roll over (not saying I do...but I do). Anyway, I might have told Evan to make her go back to her bed because her "ow"-ing was keeping me awake. *cough*mom-of-the-year*cough* Anyway, when he went to see her bump, he discovered a rather nice gash in her forehead that was bleeding. (We truly are good parents, I promise). He slapped a band aid on it, gave her tylenol and an ice pack and sent her on her way. When she woke up, it still looked pretty bad, and after a phone call to our Nina for direction, we decided to take her to the ER to make sure she didn't need stitches. Thankfully, she did not, but running to the emergency room with two girls at 7:30AM and staying for 2 hours was a great way to start our trip.
We left Thursday afternoon, after Evan enjoyed a day of running a 5K and playing golf at work for basically an Air Force "field day". (He was quite sad he missed the dodgeball game) We got to Pekin on Friday just in time to throw Julia at my parents, change into our dress rehearsal clothes, miss the dress rehearsal completely, but make it to the meal.
This is Elisabeth's dress for the rehearsal dinner. She picked it out herself. (She's super into clothes right now)
The next day was wedding day. I got Elisabeth for the day and took her to all the flower girl activities she needed to attend. Evan got Julia and I laughed and laughed, because I was totally getting the better end of the deal!
We started the day getting Ebeth's hair done. She (of course) asked for it to be straightened.
He even gave her jewels for her hair!
Then it was off to the hotel to eat lunch and get make-up and dressed. Elisabeth loved loved loved being with the bridesmaids and brides. Elisabeth has always loved Brian (she used to call him Rorie when she was a baby) and took an instant liking to Stephani. She loves their dog and their rats, their motorcycle and their jobs (policeman and nurse, respectively).
Here she is sticking like glue to Stephanie.
Waiting in the hallway for the limo to go get pictures taken. My dad got her (another) robot dog, which she ADORED and named Kacey and took with her everywhere (including the professional pictures, which I wasn't around for and that dog ended up in some of the photos because no one can say no to my child!).
Elisabeth in her first limo ride!
The wedding was HOOOOT! Ugh, Illinois weather sucks and it made me long for Colorado. The wedding party walked down the grass aisle straight from the limo, which was super neat.
Evan and his respective bridesmaid Khoa.
Elisabeth.
Stephani and Brian!!!
Elisabeth entertaining the bridesmaids with her mad bug catching skills.
Dancing with Brian during the dollar dance.
Omg, let me tell you how my kid is a dancing fiend! She was the center of the dance floor, I kid you not. She danced to EVERY song, was showing off moves I have never even seen!!, and making friends with complete strangers who danced with her all night.
Stephani and the boys--Andy, Brian, Evan and Bryan.
Evan successfully embarrassed Elisabeth off and on all night by trying to fast dance with her, but he finally got to slow dance with her for a while.
Sunday was Father's Day, which meant my Mother's Day, since Evan wasn't here for my Mother's Day and I got no chance to sleep in, skip diaper changing and whatnot. I slept in till 11:00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was MARVELOUS! And, I got to go for a walk (in the rain, but whatever). I kid you not, I am married to the best guy ever!!!!
We also celebrated Julia's birthday with everyone since we'd be back in Colorado for her actual birthday.
The kids hanging out waiting for the presents to be opened.
Ethan and Elisabeth opened all of Julia's presents. Maybe they'll let her open her Christmas ones. ;)
Julia was super rude and talked on the phone the entire time. We're working on manners.
I love this picture. It's so sweet. He's helping her open presents.
Waiting (impatiently) for her cake. Being in her high chair=food immediately.
She insisted on finger feeding Jana before trying any of it herself. I think she didn't know what to do with so much food since we usually give it to her in small doses due to her messiness.
Trying a bit.
The crowd. Do you love Ethan's new grin?
The party folk.
That girl loves her some water.
She successfully ate her chocolate cake.
Fighting Evan while he tries to clean her off. Total action shot!
So angry at the people who love her and try to clean her off.
Sink bath time!
Evan used the sprayer on her and she (of course) flinched. She's such a flincher.
All done! They tried to make her hair curly. It was straight again as soon as it dried.
We had a very fast weekend in Pekin. We won't be back until around Christmas time, which is sad. So, all you Pekinites, keep checking up on us here! I'll try to stay up to date more often on all our doings! We love you all and miss you!!!!!!!!
The girls were most excited to have their Nina and Papa with us.
Melissa had booked an architectural boat tour of Chicago as part of her wedding weekend. It was so interesting and we got to see a part of Chicago we'd never seen before. They also served lemonade and cookies, so the girls were content.
After the boat tour, we walked over to Navy Pier for some lunch and rides. Julia saw the ferris wheel and fell in love instantly. She could not wait to ride it.
After the ferris wheel, Jana and Ebeth rode on the swings...
and Julia took a ride on the carousel.
The view from our hotel rooms was gorgeous. I just love Chicago. I need to make sure I don't go so long without visiting.
Why is she so big?
After Chicago, we headed to DeKalb to visit some of our favorite places and friends. Julia was so excited to get to play on a playground. The poor thing hasn't been able to play at a park because of the super hot Texas weather. 
Elisabeth went to visit her dearest friend, Avery. It's so fun to see them reunite.
And then, we finally made it to Pekin where this little red head was waiting for us. (Look at those curls!!!!)
Owen is 15 months old now, and though he is protesting the walking (he is a night time walker only), he made sure to be involved in all the big kid playing.
And then there was my Ethan, who is sooooo tall and still moves too fast to get a ton of pictures (although, he does stop and smile for pictures now if you can catch him fast enough!).
Owen loved Evan. He would seek him out for nap time snuggles or reach for Evan if he saw him. It was super cute.
Julia got to take Ethan to preschool one day. Ethan showed her off to everyone. :)
We got to see my grandparents, which I always am excited about.
We went to the Marigold Festival for the first time in years and Julia got to watch her first parade.
We had a great trip. It's hard to only see family once a year (as Elisabeth declared on the car ride back to Texas), but it does make the time you do see them more special.
