Quite the Coincidink

This is Kelly.  We met in 6th grade.  We were both on Battle of the Books together and became friends.  For various times during junior and high school we pretty much lived together.  Of course, we had those very girl like spats, but we always got it over after some time.  When Kelly was in 8th grade, she met a guy in a chat room.  It was way back when AOL and chat rooms were really popular.  His name was Casey and he lived in Chicago.  

2006

Today, Kelly is married to Casey.  They live in Downer's Grove, just outside Chicago.  

2008

She's probably going to complain about her facial expression in this one.  

 2008

Today, Kelly and I have been friends for most of our life, the best of friends.  Except when we're mad at each other. ; )

2008

2009

2009

2010

2011

I wish I had some more photo's on this laptop, I've got some good one's from 8th and 9th grade.  

So what are the odd's that someone I grew up with in Fayetteville now lives in another state, the same city and state that David and I have relocated to?  I don't know but I'm thinking they're slim odds.  

And, I'm pretty happy that someone I love so much is so close now!  She's pregnant, due in May.  I'm excited for Hannah and Jay, her little girl, to grow up together; and Riley and Layla (the baby in her belly).  I have big plans for us Kel!!

Chicago Christmas in Pictures

Jayden and Hannah playing on Christmas Eve

Kelly and me, with Jay's finger

Jayden, Riley, Me, Kelly & Hannah

Great Grandma Cernock with all her great's: Will, Brett, Harrison, Emma, Grandma, Riley, Rachel and Hannah

Celebrating Grandma's 90th while everyone was around

Santa came!

Playing with Santa's gift

Talking away

Christmas Morning

Playing with her new nerf guns

All the grandkids with spouses

Christmas evening

The day after Christmas

Hannah and Harrison

Riley Anne Baby Shower

Our big day!  I wanted to include Hannah in this as much as possible, so that's why I call it "our" big day.  She had her party dress, that came with a matching doll dress.  I curled my hair, and hers.  And we both had makeup on!  I even wore a skirt and heels!  

My sister made her goal to plan the best baby shower ever, and I have to say she did it!  It felt so good to sit back and watch her, I felt so special and so loved.  Seeing Casey as so excited made me even more excited about it all.  

Cernock girls before leaving the house.

Here you can see Hannah and sock monkey, in their matching outfits.  

Just after arriving.

Casey's diaper cake!  

The best sister ever!

Me, with Michelle and Casey

Natalie, me and Kelly

Why do people at social gathering always hang out around the food?  

No matter how much room you have in other places of the house, everyone is always standing around the food!

A handmade quilt from Michelle.  Some of you may remember

that she made one for Hannah's baby shower too.

Hannah was so excited about it all.

Hannah, helping me open gifts.

Amy picked up a little something for Casey and Michelle, as a thank you.  

It was a gift certificate to Renaissance Day Spa.  They both REALLY

liked it!  

The best cake ever!

26.2 - Marathon distance

A girl running with a stroller

Here you can see Hannah's button.  It says "I'm the Big Sister"

The image on the side of the cake is a girl running while pushing a stroller.  The image

on top is a thought bubble with "26.2" inside.  That's marathon distance.  And that's what I'll do next year!

Inside the cake, between the two chocolate layers, are strawberries!  It was AWESOME

cake.  

These are just some photo's of us all hanging out.  

Jen and Maddie

I think this is such a good picture of Casey and Michelle.

Casey and Matt.  Not a very good picture of Matt, now that I look at it!

Amy, my other mother.  All this could not have happened without her.

Maddie!

Kelly and me.  We've been friends since 6th grade.  We meet in Battle of the Books.  We were instantly close and have remained so since, with the exception of a 

few short spats.  Now she lives in Chicago.  She flew in, as a surprise, for the shower.  It was her wedding that took me to Vegas last year: Vegas  

Leah, who also made the drive down from DC to celebrate with me.  

Almost everyone: Alaina, Leah, Kelly, Natalie, Amy

Michelle, Casey, Me and Brynn

The kids: Hannah, Vivian, Ethan, 

Maddie and Logan

Towards the end of the shower we got the news of the tornados that had hit north Fayetteville.  David called to tell us and to make sure no one was leaving traveling 

in that direction.  Then our baby shower turned into a tornado party as we all sat, waiting to see what would happen next.  

Michelle lost power, so she broke out a little emergency radio, which Casey stayed on top off.  

All in all, a great day for us.  We were south of all the damage Fayetteville took on.  And it took on quite a bit of damage.  We just saw heavy winds and rain.