Summer Vacation 2012

When we finally made it home we had LOTS to do! 

 Andi and I had decided that for once in the girls lives, we would both be 100% present ALL the time.  So, despite amazing debt and Andi's anxiety about not having a job...which meant no income, we threw caution to the wind and 
 took the summer off!! 
 This was the best idea we ever had!! 

One of the hardships we had in Seattle was that we were not really able to hang as a family very much. Andi and I worked opposite shifts and only had one or two days off a month together. 

 That is why our pals were so very crucial to our survival.  

THANK YOU!!

you know who you are

When we settled into our temporary housing so generously provided by our d.l.C. 'rents, we got to do some great "hanging out".  

We joined the local pool, we went to museums and petting zoos, had loud lunches/dinners, we painted, had water balloon fights, met our chicago cousins, hung with mommys' friends (our new Aunties) who now have kids too,

 met our new Rabbis, joined a Temple, 

and woke up every morning loving not having to be

 ANYWHERE!! 

We will probably never have the chance to do this again while the kids are this little, and we really had a lot of ground to make up on the quality family together time. 

It felt like taking a maternity leave when it mattered the most...

a maternity leave that the Girls would remember!

 So we did, and this is what happened:
  

 After we unpacked 

all the important boxes

we got adventurous!

We really bonded as sisters!

Fell more in love with Auntie Val!!

discovered glow bracelets

Made a few new friends that will be around a lifetime!

Got really brave and daring while mommy was not looking!

Discovered that soccer is maybe not 
"our game"

continued fostering our love of books

Rode Thomas with our besties! 

got in a couple rounds of golf

held hands with boys!

Got to know some really amazing kids!
These two will be your friends for life, no question about it! 
and your moms are pretty smitten with them too!! 

Learned to fly with Nora and her daddy

Welcomed sweet baby Tatum to the Andino crew  
xoxo

went to birthday parties with our buds

mastered how to manage the two-cart shopping trip!

Made Shabbat a part of our week and love how it has grounded our family! 

Got our very own park from Yaya and Pops and Val

Decided to potty train!

Did it, got it and mastered it!
We are even dry at night!!
most nights

Rode our first ponies at our first Chicago street festival.

Went to explore the big City! 

Got tired and had to take a nap in a posh downtown hotel.

Then learned how to order room service

Realized just how much Mimi looks like Dora!
Weird!

Met and played with another bestie! 
Rookie we love you!!

Pool time = Ice cream!

Built a bear 

Learned to wink!

Played with cousins Annie and Jack!

And laughed and laughed and laughed!