Grandpa and Oma

IMG_3080, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

Grandpa (looking so much smarter with these new glasses!) and Oma (looking smart AND beautiful) at the wedding.

+ ones

IMG_3078, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

Here we are with our "+ ones." Unfortunately, Nick's wife, Sunny, was sick that day! And Marco didn't bring anyone. What a good-looking crew nonetheless!

5 kids

IMG_3072, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

We recently went to Virginia to attend Chiara's cousin Tory's wedding to a beautiful girl named Tanya. It was a great time, but quite the whirlwind! The family band left Chicago EARLY on Friday morning, and went home on Sunday! Lots of driving, but the kids were superstars.

Anyway, all four of Chiara's siblings were also at the wedding! Photo op!!! We even did it without our mother yelling at us to do so!

Walk-a-thon

IMG_3060, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

Norah's school held a fundraising "walk-a-thon" where the kids had to walk around the track (the older ones do 5 miles!) and they have tons of fun activities, a picnic, etc. Here is Norah with some of her school friends.

Lots o'chins!

IMG_3048, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

Susannah's middle name should be "the scrumptious"--I just want to eat her up!

4 Months Old!

IMG_3021, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

Name: Susannah
Age: 4 months
Weight: 17 lbs!!!!
I like: sitting in the Bumbo seat, swatting at things, sucking on my hands, and watching Norah and Luca, and being tickled
I can: Stand up on Mommy and Daddy's laps, reach for toys and put them in my mouth, and sometimes replace my nuk!

Under the willow tree!

September 2012009, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

Mamma

September 2012006, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

Chiara and her Mamma at the garden!

Visitors

September 2012004, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

We had Nonna, Jeri, and Breeana visit for the weekend, and of course, we HAD to take them to the CBG! Here are the kids (and one cool dude Luca) taking a break from running and squealing all over the place near the English Garden.

Exploring the CBG

Late August Early Sept 2012015, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

Any side path was explored thoroughly by Norah and Luca. Here they are looking for fish (ishies, according to Luca) in the water!

No fear

Late August Early Sept 2012003, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

This male mallard duck came right up to Norah and Luca while they were climbing on the rocks at the CBG. He wasn't aggressive, but he wasn't afraid, either! James said he probably had rabies!  Yikes!

Another lily

Late August Early Sept 2012021, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

When we came back a couple days later, the flower that is budding on the left was open and it was HUGE! I like the seed pod or fruit these lilies produce.

Water Lilies

Late August Early Sept 2012020, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

The water lilies were blooming at the CBG. I just love these flowers!

Mini Me

Late August Early Sept 2012016, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

This bonsai plum tree at the Chicago Botanic Garden is producing tiny plums! Pretty cool! The CBG has one of the most renowned bonsai collections in the world. It's spectacular!

Police Car!

Late August Early Sept 2012027, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

Later in the evening, the Palatine Police showed up at the party to let the kids (and adults) see the police car! Once again, Luca was game, Norah made herself scarce, and James was silly!

Fairy Face Paint

Late August Early Sept 2012025, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

Norah waited for a LONG time to have her face painted at the block party. A little girl of about 10 or 11 was painting everyone's faces. She was doing very elaborate designs, so it took her forever! But, I think it was worth the wait. Norah loved it!

Fire Truck

Late August Early Sept 2012022, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

We had a block party and the firemen came by to let the kids see the firetruck. Luca actually was brave enough to get into the truck (Norah wanted nothing to do with it!).

House for Sale

Late August Early Sept 2012033, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

Well, it's time to be official about it: We put our house up for sale after only 15 months of living there! We have some big news coming (stay posted)! Anyway, here's the house...doesn't the garden that Maria helped Chiara with look great?

Breeana

Late August Early Sept 2012095, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

Bree still loves to hold Susannah, and Susannah still loves to be held!

Great Lakes

Late August Early Sept 2012092, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

The Meijer Gardens have a great children's area--I am sure I have blogged about it before. Anyway, they have a model of the 5 Great Lakes that the kids can splash and play in. They love it!

Jail Birds

Late August Early Sept 2012084, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

Don't Luca, Lucia, and Ivana look like prisoners loitering about their cell? They aren't in jail, they are in a corn storage house thingy (I can't remember the name for this!).

So Soft

Late August Early Sept 2012067, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

Lucia liked touching the soft grass! Luca loves to touch these, too. They feel like feathers.

Big Hill

Late August Early Sept 2012064, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

Next to Da VInci's Horse, there is a big hill. The kids love to climb it and then run down. Well, all but Luca. He scooted backwards down the hill--it took him about 10 minutes. I think he inherited my fear of heights!

What a group!

Late August Early Sept 2012054, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

I didn't realize how many people we had with us until I looked at this photo! We must have looked like a tour group!

What a ham!

Late August Early Sept 2012048, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

We went to the Meijer Gardens while we were in Michigan over Labor Day. Here's James being silly at Da Vinci's Horse...

Aunt Claire

Late August Early Sept 2012103, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

Chiara's Aunt Claire came all the way from Madrid (via New York) to Michigan to visit and to meet lots of new babies, including Luca and Susannah. We had lots of fun catching up!

3 months!

Late August Early Sept 2012149, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

Name: Susannah
Weight: probably 15 lbs or more!
Skills: I can sit up a while on the sofa, then I tip over. I can grab onto toys that are near me, and I love to put my hands in my mouth!
Things I like: Eating, sleeping, watching my big brother and big sister, being outside, watching the trees move, and taking walks.

Big Sister, Little Brother

Late August2012010, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

Luca had to get into the first day of school action, too! He really wanted to get on the bus with her--I had to hold him back!

First Day of Kindergarten

Late August2012001, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

I can't believe my baby is already in Kindergarten! She is so big!

Iowa Friends!

Late August2012018, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.

We recently took a trip to Dixon, IL to meet with some old Iowa friends. In all, we had 10 adults, and 9 children. It got a little hectic. Here's some of the kiddos taking a minute to tolerate their mommies taking a photo of them! L to R: Cade, Norah, Luca, Drew, Eli, Cyrus