Sorry for the amount of time between blog posts. It has taken us quite a while to get back on a schedule. Below are photos capturing roughly five weeks worth of various activities and trips. We spent time in both Edgewood and Sheffield during May and were visited in Chicago by Aunt Erin and Alice and our niece, Ava, during June.

As many of you are aware, my dad, Al, passed away in May. He will be dearly missed. Liz and I would like to thank everyone for their love and support during this time. It was truly appreciated. The ability to be around so many family and friends is one of the few bright spots in times like this.  There will be a blog tribute to my dad (Captain Al) in the coming weeks. Fitting, as it will coincide with boating season, one of his favorite activities.

Maeve is really good at the card game, Spot It. She beat Aunt Jill and Aunt Annette a few times. 

Taking rides on Grandpa's Gator.

Lots of good cousin time lately.

What good friends we have. We're so grateful for all of the love and support we've received after the loss of Jeritt's dad.

Jack thinks mannequins are cool, and found this "friend" at Target:)

Girl loves her unicorns. 

Simon loves hanging out in Jack's room.

Kite flying during the Collins family reunion in Sheffield.

Maeve reading stories to my cousins during the reunion.

Selfies with Alice!

We were able to help Maya celebrate her 3rd birthday while we were in Iowa.

Kids loved the first swim of the season in Iowa.

Playing with Grandpa Rich.

Maeve's preschool graduation ceremony. She will be starting at a new preschool in the fall.

Ms. Sherry, the owner and main teacher of Chalkboard, the preschool all three kids attended, retired and we helped her celebrate. We'll miss her so much!

We'll miss you, Ms. Sherry!

Ava has been staying with us while Jill and Adam are on vacation, and we might not let her go home:)

Maeve's gymnastics show.

Maeve and her sweet teacher, Miss Anna.

Hanging out at the nursery while I picked out flowers. 

Literacy Festival at school.

Maeve has been getting lots of attention from Ava.

Hanging out at recess.

Playing games with Jack and his friends.

Jack's teacher is on maternity leave, but she came back to visit. She made Jack's kindergarten year so wonderful!

Maeve loves to snuggle, and has been sneaking into Ella's bed for snuggles at night. Her facial expression is because she caught the flash of my phone camera.

Martin, Alice, and Erin came to visit!

Sister night at the Cubs game.

Ava helped Jeritt make his special chocolate chip cookies.

Back in Iowa... remembering

You know she's tired when she falls asleep in the car.

Planting our annual sunflower seeds in honor of Grandma Donna.

What a get-up!

Ella made this impressive chalk picture of Maeve and herself driving a car.

Ella trying her hand at catching during softball.

Warming up.

First trip to Scooter's of the season.

Jack loves to check out all of the drain pipes on our roof.

Ava and Jeritt's turn at a Cubs game.

Pizza night on the deck. 

A picnic before a trip to Maggie Daley park.

Our sunflowers have sprouted!

Move night!

Bike rides