Homecoming dance-still the cutest couple ever

Tim and I got back from Milwaukee (birthday surprise) in time to see Cal and Katie off to homecoming...just in time. Cal was still not 100% but he showed up and suited up.

They met a bunch of friends at the dance and had a great time

 Katie is timeless...grace kelly comes to mind

asking katie to homecoming

Asking Katie to Homecoming 2014

Callahan missed the entire week of school due to a horrible virus. By Thursday he decided it was time to ask Katie to homecoming-2 days away. He planned it out a while ago but just wasn't bouncing back. So my sweet sick boy, 100+ tea candles, roses and candy went to Katies house and set it all up.

It went off perfectly, Katie was super surprised. They have been dating almost 2 1/2 years so she knew they were going to HC together, but with Cal sick she wasn't expecting a special asking! Cal is a true romantic and still makes things special.

Jerry, Katie's dad was drying to use his blow torch...men and gadgets.

We all hid in the backyard waiting for Katie to get home from 

choir.

again...Cutest couple ever!!!!

Million dollar Smile

 Today Karrick got his braces off!!

At his orthodontists office they throw a little party for each kid when the braces cone off.

A bag of all the forbidden chewy sticky candy is all the rage. Since Karrick is such a rule Nazi it's an extra treat for him. He does not break the rules, so he hasn't had anything forbidden in 13 months

Luck would have it that Karrick has his 5th grade pictures next week

MaryMcgintyPhotography

I had a super fun photo shoot this past weekend. An old friend from high school that I haven't seen in 32 years contacted me from Wisconsin asking if I would shoot her daughter.

Why sure!

They drove in to Lombard and away we went. 

She was a cute as they come!!

Family Values Cast party, SAG foundation fundraiser

Saturday morning i picked TJ up from NIU to come home for the long weekend. He had a cast function he needed to attend. "Whisk Chicago" with "Living good coffee" sponsored a party for the cast and crew of Family Values. In addition there was a SAG foundation silent auction.

Whisk just opened 2 months ago on Damen/Chicago. Oh as it good!!

Yes, TJ had to sign autographs. So weird that he is at the point of making appearances. I wont lie, I love it!

  

TJ with Merverth from Emurge Magaizine that did a story on Family Values. I still need to order the magazine. Jayson the creator/Star was on the cover.
FV was also featured in the Glenview newspaper

 Just a fun shot of tj coming from the garden party

 The boy was under the weather when I picked him up, but handled everything like a pro. He always gets sick the first weeks of school it seems

 I was happy he jumped out of the car for a picture in front of cool wall. He did not feel good by the end of the party

Move in day at NIU

my boy's new home

Yesterday we dropped Tj off at Northern Illinois University. We were all excited and nervous. I still cant wrap my arms around the fact that TJ is away at college.

I went 1 year at NIU , 32 years ago and my God it's a 100% different school.

TJ knows 5 or so kids from high school that are here. His good friend Jake lives in the tower next door. TJ was nervous, but excited and couldn't wait for us to get on our way home. So we left him and were home by 2 pm.....which is priceless.

I text him this morning and he assured me he was still alive...good to know. It will be an adjustment period for mom and dad. One doesn't stop being a parent just because the law recognizes our first born baby as an adult.

MY KID IS AWAY AT SCHOOL....CRAZY

TJ is living on the STEM floor of the newly renovated GN tower. The rooms are spacious and bright. Flat screen TV's are in the lounges.

 A blank slate, we did buy Tj a rug but he'll have to figure out the rest

 The view from TJ's window

The orange brick dorms are suites, 12 kids to a suite. 6 bedrooms and a large common living/dinning kitchen area. Another new dorm

e

 The brand new Convocation Center house the basketball stadium and double as an entertainment venue

 TJ's Hallway and elevator bank above and below are all website photos NIU

floor lounges

 Not a bad laundry room on tjs floor

A website photo of the newly renovated building and cafeteria below complete with salad bars, ice cream bars, sandwich bar , pasta bar, grill and special of the day. TJ can eat in any dorm cafeteria on campus

 Now that NIU has a stellar football team they have a new stadium where tj can go and WATCH the games. Those are his dorms in the bacjground

These 2 helper girls were standing there talking to TJ, so my Tim grabs the rug and a box and hands it to the girls saying "You aren't doing anything, help my boy out" 

I busted out laughing as they got all giggly... so willing to help the new adorable student