Graduation/18th Birthday party

Sunday we had TJ's combined Graduation-18th Birthday party. It really turned out fantastic and was a perfect way to close out the summer.

My family all came, Tim's Mom and brother, a bunch of friends, neighbors and of course at least 30 or so of TJ's friends.

I had such anxiety early on in the summer because we kind of let the yard and deck go when TJ got injured 3 years ago. I wasn't sure there was enough time to pull it off. After the premiere of Family Values and dance Nationals we got to work

Again, not a ton of different pictures besides my deck. I really wanted group shots of TJ and friends but that never happened.

The deck looked absolutely amazing...almost impossible to capture the jest of it all.

After family and friends left it was just Tj and his friends. They had 2 bonfires going and stayed out til the wee hours of the morning. I woke up to a basement full of sleeping teens.

Tj said after spending this last night with all his friends (they were inseparable all summer going from graduation party to graduation party June-August) he said he is now ready to go to college and begin his studies!!!!

Friday we take him to NIU!! TJ is living on the newly renovated...amazing!!! STEM floor. He will be with all the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math students. They have their own IT lab and tech support. The rooms are incredible as is the entire tower.

 Just Love and adore my baby Winter...just a sweet cutie!!!

 Katie and Juliette...exchange student from France that was here for 6 weeks. Spent only 3 of those with Katie's family

 lots of volleyball

 We literally have the best deck and yard for parties but never have them...weird

 My candy buffet

 I ran out of stain (a 5 gallon drum) and time...still need to do both sets of stairs and the majority of spindles. I really cant believe people pay to have this done. Thos deck would be thousands to stain professionally.

My joke: "What does a professional strainer and Mary McGinty have in common?"

'Neither of us has a Harvard Degree!"

 Karrick does this crazy fast finger clap, it's really fast and the camera picked it up

 The deck really looked cute, without the flash it was pitch dark. We dont have alley's so no street lighting in back...just bump up to neighbors which is much safer because there is no way for anyone to get in

Callahan turns 15

Cal age 2

Callahan Patrick McGinty turned 15 years old om March 16, 2014.

This sturdy little boy is now a 6 foot tall 135 lb Freshman. Cal was such a cute devilish and clever little boy.

He is more sweet than devilish these days with a cute and spunky red haired Irish girlfriend  of almost 2 years named Katie. Their birthday's are just 2 days apart. 

Callahan is still a creepy genius...I say creepy because he knows everything about everything. It's just not right.

My sweet Callahan made the Freshman volleyball team at GEHS. He has his 1st game next week. they practice M-F 3-6pm and Sat mornings 8-12

Happy Birthday my little man...words can't convey how much I love you.

Always stay sweet little man

Birthday Bike Ride

Karrick is such a fun kid to hang out with, never really know what will come out of his mouth next.

I took some shots on the Great Western Trail from my birthday bike ride present. We are fortunate enough to live jusr a few block from the trail.

Karrick is between bikes, his new big bike is just a little big and his small bike just a little small

 Have no idea what happened here. 5 or so pictures came out like this, must have been in between settings? 

Here I was just playing with PSE

1 before 50

A draft since September 23 

My 49th birthday weekend was supurb. I can't believe that I am almost half way to my death. (I'm living to at least 100!) We started sunday, Tim took me to Oak Brook mall for a shopping spree. All I wanted/needed was new clothes. The weather was perfect for an outdoor mall.
 I bought creamy, flowy, lacy, silky Fall clothing. I just love them but, I still haven't worn them yet because Im afraid I'll spill on them. Hence the reason I need new clothes. I take that back I have worn the pants, the pink top and the giraffe top.

My favorite store is Anthropologie, but they don't carry XL so I'm limited due to my linebacker size shoulders. I was able to find 4 things..Woo Hoo. Then a  trip to the Irish shop netted me an Irish shall.

Shopping was followed by a nice lunch at Antico Posto.
Monday my actual Birthday, Tim forced  took the boys shopping while I went to bootcamp. When I came home the house was decorated and I was greeted with treats and gifts.
Karrick did greet me at the car with the card up above, it expired that night so we had to get to work! Lord knows I cant pass up a date with Karrick especially when it's FREE!
We went for a nice bike ride to the park and hung out after dinner ; )

Happy Birthday TJ

17 and lookin good

Above is a super cool shot of TJ, my boy is growing up. He turned 17 a week ago.

My boy is back and ready to tackle his final year of high school. It's hard to believe that a year from now he'll be away at college

Happy Birthday!