Springfield Baby!

We all miss my friend Mary Knox of Knoxville (who is really of Springfield) very much. She and I went to college together and have been great friends ever since. She is one of the sweetest, most genuine people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. She and her boyfriend Colin have a super cute house in Springfield and I have always wanted to go visit. So we did! All 5 of us! I am not sure that Mary and Colin knew exactly what they were getting into when they so graciously welcomed us into their home, but we sure had a great time!

We toured downtown Springfield and Colin enlightened us all about Abe Lincoln and Springfield's rich political history. We checked out the local park, which was awesome. We were fortunate enought to meet many of Colin and Mary's friends, including John Michael who I haven't seen for years. But the highlight of the trip for us all was going to the Illinois State Fair. Food, rides, games, lights, noise...it had everything. I cannot even explain how much fun we all had in Springfield. It was a great family trip and one that I will remember for a long, long time. Thank you so much, Colin and Mary. We love you guys! Here are some photos from the weekend...

Walking around downtown Springfield looking at
"really important buildings"

Matt and Ally in front of some gorgeous doors

Ally showcasing Frank Lloyd Wright's Dana-Thomas House

Walking to the State Fair...unfortunately for Matthew, Ally learned the word "married" while in Springfield and kept saying, "Nacky, we are being married" anytime he did something nice for her! To which he would respond, "Ally, let's never say that word again."

Ahh...the Fair.

I think we spent like $80 trying to win Ally a stuffed animal here. The man seriously made her pop her own balloons...she finally popped one and she picked a dirty pink pig with a missing eye. Money well spent...

Ally gladly gave up her seat in the stoller for her pink monkey, dirty piggy, and Matt's dog.

Last stop, funnel cakes for all! What a night!

August 2009

The Metzlers have had a fantastic August so far. We've had many adventures to parks, water parks, lakes, different cities and new sites. We are all having a very difficult time with the realization that summer is rapidly coming to an end...with the unusually cool temperatures we've had all season, it seems as though summer never really came! Most people are thankful for this, but I love those uncomfortably hot days. I don't need a ton of them, but at least one would have been nice!

Here are a couple of recent photos of the gang...

J.J. hanging in the playroom chewing on things

Ally hanging in the playroom twisting the chapstick dangerously too high...why do all kids insist on doing this?

Jay "supervising" in the playroom

Ally in a glorious hand-me-down

J.J. in a cool little beanie hand-me-down

J.J. not happy about the cool little beanie

Ally super excited to be in the pack-and-play

Ally paying real close attention to coach at soccer...that's my girl!

Ally and the girls at soccer

Indy Indians

We spent a whole week in Indianapolis during the first part of August. It was great. Matt and Ally went to camp at the Rivi and Jay and I were able to relax a bit and take some long, leisurely bike rides. The highlight of the trip for us all was going to the Indianapolis Indians game on Thursday night. It was an absolute blast. Jay and I were debating whether or not to take Ally as it had the potential to be a late night. We decided last minute to take her and vowed to leave early...yet there we were, at least 15 minutes after the game was over, practicing cartwheels in the outfield grass! Here are some great photos from the night...

The Fazolis Tomato Guy - Ally LOVES anything in costume and kept going behind this poor guy and licking him, seriously.

Both Matt and Ally got autographs from Rowdy, the Indians mascot. They are now his number 1 and 2 fans!

Ally with Rowdy, her slushie and the pink bear I think I spent $7 trying to win!

Goofing around in the outfield after the game

They were having so much fun...

And here's one of the little fella from the week...he had fun too, as always!

A big, huge Thank You to mom and dad for your hospitality, cooking, cleaning, babysitting, and hanging out. We love you guys so much and had a great time with you! Thanks also to Lo and Joe for all the time spent with us and this kiddos...can't wait to see you guys soon!

J.J.'s Baptism

Little J.J. Metzler was baptised on July 19th, 2009 at St. Clement's Church in Chicago. We are so grateful to have had most of our family in town and lots of friends help us celebrate this wonderful day. The ceremony was very nice and J.J. did pretty well. Matt and Ally were complete angels..they must have been inspired by their surroundings! Here are a couple photos from the day...

He shed not a tear!

Getting the super-smelly oil

Confused and very tired after all the activity

Jen, Mike and their Godson

Don't they look like perfect little children?!?!

The Metzler Clan in from Florida and Vermony - We missed you Aunt Cory!

The Toth Clan from Indianapolis

Thank you, Mike and Jen, for being a part of our family! We love you guys!

We would like to thank all of our friends and family who came to the service and the "after-party" at our place. The love and support you shared with our family means so much to all of us.

More Metzlers

Last week Jay's brother Peter, his mom and dad all came to visit. Peter came from Vermont and Tussy and Mimi from Florida. We all had such a great time and went on many fun adventures together. Here are a couple photos from some of our excursions...

Tussy and Ally at Matt's baseball game

Uncle Peter and J.J. at the game

Tussy on stoller duty

Mimi on stroller duty

Group shot at the Bean in Millennium Park

Matt, Ally and Uncle Peter at the Bean

Matt at the Bean

Little J.J. testing out the water at Millennium Park

Ally loving the water park

Tussy and Mimi hanging out at the Lemonade/brownie/Two Little Monkeys t-shirt stand

It was so great to have you all here and we're looking forward to your next visit to Chicago!

More Photos from the Fourth

Here are just a couple more shots that my sister took from our weekend at Birch Lake.

Trying to teach J.J. how to sit

The result of Ally's first crash on her bike...

Matt and I went tubbing! It was great!

Bells and Whistles

Besides diapers, wipes, soaps, lotions and baby food, I have not purchased many new things for baby J.J.. So while at Target the other night I decided to buy my little man a brand new stand-inside-and-play toy. He loves it, thus validating my late-night Target spending spree....that's probably not a good thing.