The Big Cookout

  EL had her 3 year checkup. Healthy girl. I missed how much she weighed and how tall she was. We got lucky and our friends we met in Brisbane (they are from the USA originally and have already moved back to the USA) were in town so we got to meet them for lunch.

  Then I had to run some errands and get stuff together for our cookout. Thank goodness my parents love a crowd. I didn't count how many friends and family stopped by but it was wonderful to see so many. Kids everywhere. Catching up with friends. Just another night we realized how fortunate we are. Dad manned the grill and everyone raved about the pork chops. And MA helped Wendy make a giant cookie that was also a hit. People played badminton. Kat had her wisdom teeth pulled that morning. Ohma made sure she wasn't over doing it. But she was up and about, chatting the night away.

 

 

 

 

  Tuesday Matt had to study for a test he was taking that night. I took off by myself for a day of shopping... alone! Grandma, K, & K enjoyed the day with the grandkids. And spoiled them as usual. They went to the movies to see Monsters University and then DQ for ice cream, before dinner! I was shopped out, the Jeep kind of looked like Black Friday shopping. Matt passed his test and the kids had smiles on their faces. We met up with Smick family for dinner and a beverage or two.
  Wednesday I got to have EL's twin for the day while Nicole was busy at appointments for the twins. My mom and I took the kids to the Peoria Zoo for the afternoon. It was interesting to see the Australia portion of it.  A little slice of our current homeland in our original hometown. That night we met the Hoffer crew for birthday dinner at Cyd's Burgers on the Boardwalk. Seriously, nothing like an American burger. So good! Then we finished the night catching the fireworks from Glen Oak Park.