The Past Eight Days

We have been busy lately, and therefore I have a lot of pictures to post.  Last week, Jack attended a Messy Art Camp at his preschool for 2 hours in the morning.  Patrick and I were able to spend some time together.  One morning, we met some friends at a playground.  Patrick enjoyed the swings (and I appreciated that the playground was shaded).

Lucy likes swinging, too.

Patrick's buddy William came out to play, also.

On Saturday, Jim and I went away for the night!  In February, my cousin Erin told me about a deal on a cabin at the Hidden Lake Winery in Illinois.  She volunteered to watch our kids for the night while we went!  I couldn't pass that up!  Our friends Jennifer and Shawn said they were interested in coming, too.  When Jennifer and I were picking a date, I told her it would have to be before September since I was due in September.  She couldn't believe that I had booked a stay at a winery knowing I was pregnant.  I told her I didn't care where we were going; I was going to enjoy a night out and a morning to sleep in!  Thanks to Erin, we were able to do just that!

Inside our cabin:

 Vineyards:

The lake wasn't very well hidden.  We found it without a problem.

Jennifer and Shawn:

We were excited to learn the winery was having "Winestock" that night.  From 6:00 until 11:00, two bands alternated playing each hour.  The weather was great and we sat outside, drank wine (water for me), and listened to music. 

On Sunday, we went to Jim's softball game and I took pictures of my friend's 1-year-old daughter, Anna.  She was very cute, but not too excited to stay still.  We still got some really good pictures, though.

On Monday, the boys and I went to meet their new second cousin, Ryan.  Colleen had her baby late on Friday night and was home from the hospital Sunday morning.  I was anxious to meet the little guy and to hold him.  You quickly forget just how little a newborn is until you hold one in your arms.

He's wrapped in a towel his Mommy made for him.

The family of FIVE:

Yesterday, I took an all-day photography class.  It was really good!  There were things I knew from previous photography classes, but I learned a lot of new things, too.  Here are some pictures from the class.  I am anxious to practice some of the new techniques I learned again soon!

I had to get fairly close to this bee, and the wasp in the next picture, but luckily I came out unharmed.

One of the instructors took this picture of me as he was demonstrating a lighting technique.