Spring Break Part 2 / Meet In The Middle / Easter

 Nate and I both had to work during the girls' spring break week, but on my days off the girls and I managed to squeeze in a little fun!

We drove down to Matthiessen State Park and did the Dells hiking trails. The weather was so beautiful!

On our other free day we went to see the Super Mario Galaxy movie and the girls got manicures!

We wrapped up our spring break week with our annual Meet in the Middle weekend with my parents and my sister's family! We stayed local (to us) this year and did so many fun things, including a photography contest at an antique store, diaper shopping for a local food pantry, making our own deep dish pizza's at Lou Malnati's, celebrating Cruz and Jade's birthday's and lots of good food family time and games!

We stopped home for the girls to open their Easter basket goodies, and then we headed to Nate's mom's house for Easter dinner!

Spring Break - Cocoa Beach, FL

 This year Nate and I got away on a couples spring break trip to Florida! The girls' spring break was the following week, so they had Grammy and Grampy around to hold down the fort while we were gone! Since my girl friends and I are all turning 40 this round of birthday's we thought it would be a perfect way to celebrate! We enjoyed lazy mornings, long days at the beach, fun dinners and early bed times! It was such a fun and relaxing week with my best friends!

Beginning 2026

Jade and I started out the new year with a soccer tournament in Atlanta! Sadly the weather was rainier and colder than we had hoped for, but still had a great time! Her team fought hard against some very tough competition.

 

We had Jade's 8th Grade Family Orientation night at her future high school, Naperville Central! This was basically an event to showcase all the different extra curricular clubs and activities as well as sports offered for students to get involved in their freshman year! We didn't escape without a visit to the merch shop!

  

The girls had their winter band concert at Wentz Hall, which is on North Central College's campus! 

The girls also performed at their school's solo and ensemble festival! Jemma did a solo, a duet with Jade and a duet with her friend Olivia! In addition to her duet with Jemma, Jade did a woodwind quartet and duet with her friend Kylie.

Jemma kept busy during the winter months with both basketball and volleyball leagues! So fun to watch her improve throughout the season!

Here is a little clip of her playing basketball!

Here's a little snippet of volleyball!

We celebrated Nate's 41st birthday with cookie cake! 

His mom had us over the following weekend for a corned beef and cabbage dinner! We got to sneak in another birthday celebration! :)

We also got a fun bonus visit with my sister and niece Cora when they were in Chicago for a dance convention! We enjoyed some mall time and Giordano's pizza for dinner!

Nate and I celebrated our 17th Anniversary with dinner at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse!

Jade's soccer team started off their spring season with a win in Wisconsin!