splashin it up and a word about incredible pizza



I will say this about the pool at the Embassy in Schaumburg:
not the biggest I've ever seen
but that did not stop my boys from having
TONS of fun
Justin was in ultimate dad mode:
catching Matthias on the deep end when he jumped in
(our NO FEAR boy had to be reminded...more than once.... to wait til Daddy was ready!)
and then catching Caleb on the shallow end when he (mostly, kinda) jumped in
(our cautious guy. every fam with 4 little kids needs one)

Jon was all about busting new jump-in moves each time
--he's gotten to be quite the fish--
do I get Mom Points for capturing that wild jump-in shot or what?!
I should--because a camera was not all I was holding....




the first picture represents approx 2 1/2 moments in time
just long enough for Justin to capture a pic
(props to him for the good angle)
the middle picture is how we spent most of the pool time
and I just had to get a picture of her in her adorable swimsuit
but that pose didn't last long either...
she was not a fan of all the unruly splashing going on around her



since today is all about embracing the camera
here's some pics at the end of our vacay
we started out tropical
and ended with a taste of the west coast
I love the California Pizza Kitchen
it made me feel closer to my brother and his fam
who are currently on vacation in Cali for 10 days
I'm not jealous.  Not anymore.
After all, I was practically there.  In their very pizza kitchen.
Enjoying the sun shining with the beautiful 52 degree Schaumburg, IL weather

my fav moment in the Pizza Kitchen
was when Jon asked me if this was fast food
....we had only been waiting for 3 minutes
I want to be 8 again and think McDonalds is the ultimate dining experience
on equal par with CPK
because, don't you know, I get plenty of McD's in my life...

but I'll  say this:
I'd give my last jar of Nutella
for another piece of the incredible BBQ Chicken Pizza
I enjoyed
now that's sayin something.
I love weekend getaways

Honey, if you're reading this....
can we do that again?!
tomorrow?
please?
(insert look I give you to try to get what I want...)
I love you.

--to all the rest of you checkin the blog today--
I'm linking to emily's embrace the camera
and I'd like to wish you all a SUPER thursday!

love, laurie for the fam