The Baranko Family

Monday, May 11, 2015

Kelsey Jones Nolden - My Goddaughter:)

I am honored to be Kelsey Nolden's godmother! Shelley has been one of my closest friends since childhood, and her, Rob and her older daughter Alyssa are all very special to me. Baby Kelsey is sweet and adorable and everything wonderful, in addition to being her family's miracle baby. Shelley courageously fought leukemia and is thankfully now in remission, but her illness during her second pregnancy sadly caused her to lose her daughter Lily. They weren't sure she would even be able to have more children after her treatment, but thank goodness little Kelsey came along! Fitting her baptism was on Mother's Day. So much to be grateful for and celebrate on this day: my new role as Kelsey's godmother, my role as mother to my munchkins & godmother to PJ, and appreciating my wonderful Mom, mother in law and Grandma.

The weekend was pretty busy, actually. We went to Wisconsin for the weekend, even though Mom & Dad were still in FL. Saturday we had a playdate with Shelley and other friends before cousin Katie's baby shower. Melissa, Katie's sister and my cousin, went all out with the Dr. Seuss themed shower. It was super amazing, creative and fun! Then Sunday we had the baptism and a celebratory brunch afterwards. We stopped by to visit with Grandma for a bit on our way home.

Playdate on Saturday at Jeff & Jen's house - Big Sis Alyssa with her cousin Elise

Alyssa & Kelsey's cousin Chase

Claire and Josie

Friends!

Katie's cute little bump! She's due in July and is so tiny.

Diaper cake and game set up

just a sampling of the cute Dr. Seuss themed shower elements

Aunt Sue and Kelly

Lorax mustache party favors

Gifts from Mom and I

The Nolden's

Playing with Elise & Chase's toys at the brunch

Mother's Day hugs

Love my Grandma:)

Out to dinner at Real Urban Barbecue, yum!

Then Gelato dessert at Frost - the same place we always go to in Tucson!! I didn't know there was one in Highland Park, so excited for it!

Time for sleep!

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Spring at the Botanic Garden

First of all, before I report on anything else, I must give major kudos and congratulations to Ben for his graduation from graduate school! He has been working so hard going to school and working full-time, it is so wonderful he is done and can enjoy a little free time finally! Nuclear engineering is not easy, I can't even imagine. Great job Ben!

The week was pretty good for the Baranko fam, some pictures below.

We had a family event at Walgreens to celebrate Red Nose Day, the kids had so much fun.

Playdate with my former MindShare coworker and friend Susan. It was SOOO great to see her and her three kids! We had an awesome time. There are people in your life who are just so easy to pick up with where you left off and Susan is definitely one of those for me, she is the best. Her baby Nora is an absolute doll.

Her sons Ned and Will played really well with L&C, too. They live in downtown Chicago, so the big yard and private playground was quite the novelty.

Claire liked petting baby Nora and going over to look at her.

It was a pretty warm day, so with the pool still closed we got out the little baby pool and the sprinkler.

We had to carry in pails of warm water because the hose water was way too cold for Luker's delicate sensibilities.

Luke watering his tree he received from Earth Day

Luke was quiet for a while in the yard. I went to find him and he presented this wheelbarrow of flowers he had picked for me, what a sweetheart!

Luke wanted me to put some of my dandelions in vases in my room for me to admire. One vase he made for me out of an old bubble container, and then I put a few more into my new vase from Christmas.