July Cont.

We have another new family member…our new great niece Sydney.  She was born on the 16th.



Congrats to Sarah, Justin and Caitlyn Krueger - we love you lots!

We are so lucky to have such a great family.  And whenever I need a baby fix, all I have to do is call one of my nieces or nephews. 

We had Keegan’s graduation party at the end of July so we  could take advantage of our swimming pool and it was a GREAT time.  Lots of family and friends came out to wish him well. 

Keegan has decided to stay home for a couple of years and attend the local Junior College and get his Associate’s Degree in Video Game Design.   After two years, he will transfer to DePaul University in Chicago.  We are very excited for him and secretly I am happy he is not going away just yet.   So are the kids.  They miss him now when he goes to work.  

My sister-in-law (Kenny’s sister) and her family came for a visit on their way back to the states from a three year stint in Germany.  My brother-in-law is in the military and they will now be stationed in California for the next year.  So we have been lucky to get to spend time with them since they have been here.  

Keegan and Grace

My sister-in-law set up an outing for my brother-in-law’s birthday to go to a Sox game.   There were 30 of us and a great time was had by all.  The home team won! 

Ian, Evan, Benjamin, Samuel (nephews), John & Kristina

US Cellular Field 07/23/2012

My sister in law Sue, my brother in law Don and nephews Benjamin, Samuel and niece Grace.

We took the kids to a local carnival and here they are riding in the McDonald’s car.

They had some other rides too..............

So that brings you up to date on what the Duda Family of Five has been up to.  Hopefully it won't take as long to put up the next update!

July Camping Trip

July 

We took the little ones camping for the Fourth of July weekend.  It was really hot but we had a great time.  The kids got to see Yogi Bear, Boo Bear, and Cindy Bear. 

We fished, went on a paddle boat, swam a lot and went on some water slides. 

. 

The big kid had to stay home with the doggies because he had to work.  It was very strange going camping without him, but I am told I need to get use to that happening more and more since he is now 18. I don't think I like that idea!

It was a great time…but next time we have to go when it is a little cooler outside.  The average temperature while we were there was 102.   Too hot!!!!

June

June brought us our newest family member……Our great nephew Blake.   I was honored to be asked by our nephew to be in the delivery room.  Since I had Keegan by C-section and John and Kristina are adopted this was the first time I have ever seen a baby born. It was beyond words! What a miracle that is. 

We started eye therapy for Kristina.  We knew when she came home that she had a lazy eye but after she got a new set of glasses (third eye exam since being home) with a new doctor ….he told us she was not seeing anything out of her left eye.  He suggested eye therapy.  So we are patching, doing drops, wearing a contact that makes her good eye blurry so she has to use the lazy eye.   She started out only seeing the big E on the top row of the chart….we are now seeing four rows down on the chart.   The new doctor is quite impressed.  We are pushing really hard over the summer so that when school starts she won’t have to wear the patch to school.  But for now…..it is working well and we will continue full speed ahead.

Keegan got a job at Cellular One Field (Old Comisky Park) – where the Chicago White Sox play baseball.   He seems to really like it a lot.

May

May has brought many things to light……

            We now have a second grader

            We now have a fourth grader and

            We also have a freshman in college.

   

Our niece Jenny got married on the 18^th………welcome to the family Brian!

Keegan turned 18 on the 27^th.  We had a surprise party for him but from the picture below….I think the little ones were more surprised than he was. 

Surprise!



Hello everyone!

The new adult in our house!

Yummy carrot cake!

Always the big brother!

A family trip to the zoo for the birthday buddies (Keegan - 18, Erika - 2).......

The birthday buddies #1!

The birthday buddies #2!

John, Erika, Caitlyn (great nieces) and Kristina

The Duda Family of Five!

Also in May.......

On the 31st, Keegan graduated from Providence Catholic High School.

What a proud day for all of us.  The graduation was held at the Rialto Square Theater in Joliet.  It is a beautiful old theater and I have been told it is a historical landmark.

 

 

We are proud parents……

His proud grandparents……..

 His proud godfather……..

Kenny's trip to Orlando.......alone!

April also brought........

Kenny’s trip to Orlando for his work (McDonald’s) worldwide convention.   He was gone 10 days and we missed him terribly but he got to meet some really cool people.  

King Julien

The Boss...Ronald himself!

Nascar Racing Driver Jamie McMurray

Woody Woodpecker

and stay in a really nice hotel 

with really great views

Hopefully next time…..we can go with him!!!!

P.S.   On this trip he also got to meet some really special people that our very close to our heart.........

A little catch up......

I know it has been a long time…….but sometimes life just takes over and runs away……

February came and went without much incident other than my birthday and as usual my husband and kids made it very special for me.  It is also my mother in laws's birthday too.  It is always great to celebrate together!

March brought St. Patrick’s Day and a get together with my sister Patti’s kids.   She passed away in 2001 but her birthday is St. Patrick’s Day and we celebrate it every year.  Can’t post any pictures because we are Irish and we know how to drink and eat corned beef and cabbage.  Actually, I know a couple of Russians that put a pretty good dent in the food too!  Enough said….

April brought Easter and again this year we went to my cousin’s Holiday Inn for the family festivities. The kids had a blast swimming and having an Easter egg hunt and doing projects. The Easter Bunny made an appearance again this year.