More Chicago/ Michigan Lake House

This will definitely be one of my longest blog posts:-) We have had such an amazing time in Chicago/Michigan...We are so grateful to the Putz family for the incredible visit we have had!!! We were in town for Kelsey's 30th birthday and had a great time celebrating at one of JJ's charity events and then a party with a great group of people afterward.

Kelsey, Me, and Emily at the Charity Event

Bobble, Craig, and JJ...notice Matt and JJ's vests...they were Celebrity Servers...

On Friday at the Sox game, we went into a suite and put ourselves in food/drink coma for Kelsey's birthday...the view for the game was awesome...the background actually looks fake!! The games were so exciting...a month ago, it looked like it wasn't gonna be their season...they actually took over 1st place while we were there and didn't lose a game :-) Great job JJ and thanks a ton!!!

Happy 30th Kelsey!!!

On Friday the four of us went downtown and did the Boat tour that Kelsey suggested...it was a gorgeous day and an amazing tour...there is so much history to each of the buildings...the river runs right through all of the buildings....

The girls on the boat :-)

Always make sure I get a family photo at the game...the guy in the background must be feeling left out!!!

On Sunday we drove to JJ's parents lake cottage for the All-Star break...it is a beautiful place with so many things for the kids and adults to do...including just kicking back relaxing!!!

Craig kayaked around the entire lake :-)...later that day he went out again and we saw him capsized :-(

Kaelyn, Codi, and Carli on the boat waiting their turn to tube

Carli in the Kayak~

JJ tried really hard to dump Carli and Codi on the double tube!

Waiting patiently on the boat for adults to take them out!

Madeline, Kaelyn, Craig, and Carli

Carli and Kelsey being dumped on the single tube :-)

Carli and Kelsey had a wrestling match on the trampoline :-)

I was surprised by how much Carli enjoyed the fishing...she was even taking her own of the hooks :0

Codi and Kaelyn were buddies :-)

Craig caught a couple really nice small mouth bass :-) I caught the most though :-)

Relaxing on the deck...Like JJ's dad said...if you can't relax at this place...you have issues!

I caught a pretty decent bass on my Disney Princess pole I was using :-)

Carli's emancipated mother (Kelsey) was so patient teaching her how to ski :-)

Gorgeous view from the back porch!

Tubing time again!!! Carli must be exhausted!!---she tubed several times (enduring JJ's efforts to dump her) and gave skiing a whirl for quite some time :-)

Me, Llonda, Kelsey

Craig on the tube~

All of the Putz and Bauers together :-) Thank you guys again sooooo much!! So many great memories with great friends!!!!

Chicago w/the girls :-)

The girls and I have been in Chicago since Saturday...we have gone non-stop...with shopping and baseball games :-) From where the house is...walking out of the house down the street to shop is so cool ;-)

The twins have these plasma cars that my big girls have taken over :-)


Kaelyn, Carli, and Codi at one of the games :-)





Both girls have the cutest dimples :-)


Codi and Ethan have been little buddies :-)


On Wednesday we headed down to Michigan Avenue :-) We split into groups so that my shopping queen Carli could hit all the stores :-)...Kelsey and I were in Nordstroms for 4 hours :-) Let's just say it was a great day!! Probably the shocker of all was how well Codi did..she hates to shop but finally opened up to trying things on and making the purchase!!!


The game Wednesday night was in a rain delay so we were able to get the girls picture with JJ...seems like just yesterday (4yrs ago)..I took a picture of them with him like this in Seattle!





Craig arrives today...:-) we are excited to see him...and glad we got all of our shopping out prior to his arrival :-)

End of Club Volleyball 2010

Over the past week...Both Carli and Codi have had their end of season tournaments. Carli's team qualified for Nationals in Reno...Craig and I were both able to go and had a great time. Their team didn't get as many W's as they probably should have but they gave it a good run. Carli had a great 4 days and had fun with her teammates.

Carli with her favorite teammates Abby and Kayla



Kinda dark but Carli in action :)

Carli with her teammates--been together since Nov. 1st!


Proud Daddy!


The day after we returned from Carli's tournament in Reno...we started Codi's tournament here in downtown Phoenix. It has been fun coaching her team this year...this group of 13 year olds has improved more than any team I have been around. We had a great tournament with a highlight of knocking of the #1 Peru team on the 2nd night. After 4 days of play, we finished 11th from 38 teams...


We get home from Codi's tournament today...it's 112 outside and the girls are begging Craig and I to play one of our traditional kids vs. parents vball games in the back yard...they just can't get enough...ps..Craig and I won 26-24 :=)

Time to take a much needed break from volleyball...packing for a much anticipated visit to Chicago :=)