Man-Made Beach in Naperville, IL

We started off our day prepping for today's adventure. Uncle Al and Auntie Bridget were going to take us out to a man made beach in downtown Naperville, IL. We packed some sandwiches, water, powerades, and a strawberry-banana smoothie for the Chango. We got to the park around noon and the adventure began. 

:-) 

Uncle Al and Daddy broke the ice between the water and Caspian as they walked slowly into the water. 

 Auntie Bridget took over and eased Caspian into the pool/beach

 

Caspian's squinty eyes

She's such a proud Auntie, Caspian wasn't too happy about pictures but as a Mommy I knew that even this expression would be one I'll look back at in ten years and say "AWWW he's so cute"

I love this Guy! He finally got me to wear my bathing suit in public. 

My handsome husband came to get me into the water and got me to wear my TWO PIECE!! oh gosh! We shared a turkey and cheese on potato bread sandwich. Then everyone took a break and we had a nice lunch on the grass.

He was so focused on the people he didn't even look at his sandwich while he ate.

Maxing, Relaxing, acting all cool! 

Drinking his Smoothie

Caspian insisted on dumping the sand into the water, we thought it was cute :P

Building our first Sandcastle

Finally we took him over to the sand to play. 

A moat for our castle

Almost done with our moat

Our Castle is beautiful! Lol

 Grandma Mary and Ampa did not make it to the beach because they were taking way too long. But they made it to the BBQ afterwards. We had spicy brats, corn on the cob and hot dogs, yum! Grandma Mary took Caspian out on a nice stroll before dinner..

Grandma Mary taking Caspian out for a walk 

Ampa <3

Playing Hide and Seek with Gus

Gus says "meow"

Watching TV

Our family

Auntie Bridget or "Nani"

We all had such a great day at the Beach in Naperville today!! The BBQ was delicious too.. Then the universe shifted..

Lunch with Nana MaryLou Markert

The best part about visiting family is the honest and unconditional love. No matter how long or how short the time you've spent together you are Family and Family means Love. 

Friday we spent the day with Grandma Mary and Grandpa at the pool in their Willowbrook Condo :D

 We started out Saturday by calling up Nana MaryLou and inviting her to Lunch. Auntie Bridget, Kevin, Caspian and I all went together to pick her up and had a nice lunch at IHOP in Harlem, IL. 

 

He loves his "Nana"

I love spending time with this lovely lady.
She told us about things she had lived through, historic
moments, life experiences, 91 years old and she's still
a Sharp Woman <3 <3 <3

Nana and I :D

She helped him pick his Potato Soup

Caspian warmed up to her right away, he called her "Nana" and gave her his loves XOXO

Nana really wanted to share some Ice Cream for her Great Grandson 

Caspian was such a good helper!

Caspian helping Great Grandma Mary Lou push her walker out of IHOP. 

Going to Nana's home. Caspian was a hit, he waved "hi" to all of Nana's friends as she showed him off to all her friends. Apparently they all agreed he will be a "heartbreaker" when he grows up :D Lol Mommy is not too happy about that  hehe 

That's all her GRANDCHILDREN~20Plus!~ And GreatGrandchildren, all 10 of them! The collage was a gift from Auntie Bridget for Nana's 91st Birthday surprise party! Which we sadly couldn't come to because we were in Virginia. But we love her so so much from far way. 

Caspian found Mommy and Daddy in the collage right away! yay

What a proud son he is of his mama. Grandma Mary's (St.Paul High School and JFK Highschool) Senior year portrait Class of 1970. Grandma Mary is so beautiful!!! And checkout her perfect bob :D So cool!!! 

 Bittersweet goodbyes. Or "See you laters" Caspian gave Nana a big Smooch and Nana held him tight in her arms.

Such a lovely time spend with our lovely Nana. We love her so so much and can't wait to see her again soon later this week while we are in Chicago. 

On our way home we drove by the Chicago Fire Soccer team stadium :D

 We also drove by Grandpa or "Ampa"'s job and Daddy's and Auntie Bridget's old High School, St.Joseph Catholic High School in Westchester, IL.

And last but not least, Daddy showed us where he spend a year studying at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellens, IL. Auntie Bridget is currently attending Junior College there. Daddy then went on to attend a year at Benedictan University in Lyle, IL. 

For dinner we went to the White Castle in Aurora, IL. Caspian ate his entire cheeseburger and got some M&Ms for being such a good boy :D

Lazy Night at uncle Al's

Lazy night.
Here's Something we found in Auntie Bridget's camera :D Thought I'd share, take at look at Caspian Dancing in a Diaper Xmas 2010 .

Just hanging out at Uncle Al's house

Family movie time was fun. We watched Tom Cats and all went to bed at the same exact time.