Memorial Day...

During the race the girls continuously complained about being hot (and bored). So, to keep them quite daddy agreed to get out the water slide and invite friends over for an impromptu party on Monday. The girls happily accepted the bribe, and were very pleased with the turn out. They had a blast on the slide.

Logan and Meghan getting ready to slide down...

Carsyn climbing up...

Resting in the "hot tub" (minus Lakyn and Lucey)...

Race Weekend...

Our favorite weekend of the year! Right after we picked Logan up from school, we left for Indy. We arrived at Kathy's house a little after 5PM, missing all the Carb Day events--oh well. After we got settled in and freshened up, we headed downtown for dinner at Buca di Beppo. The girls were in heaven...getting spend time with John, Kathy, Lauryn, Lyla, and Carol--not to mention one of their favorite restaurants.

Party of 11 (TK's #)...

Logan and Lauryn...

John, Lyla, and Kathy...

Maren with mommy and daddy...

Saturday morning we got the girls up and ready early so we could get over to the Speedway for the drivers meet and greet. We got to see Tony (again). He was so sweet, posing for a picture with the girls. He always is! We also got to see Marco Andretti, Ryan Hunter-Reay, and Dan Wheldon. We heard Michael Andretti doing practice laps with Mark Whalberg in the two-seater, but we didn't get to see them.

The girls and TK...

Ryan and Marco with the girls (oops, Carsyn blinked)...

With Dan--he's still such a cutie...

The Pagoda...

Having fun at the track...

After the track, we went back to Kathy's and did some grocery shopping. We had a nice lunch cooked out on the grill, before cleaning up for church and stop by Daddy's Aunt and Uncles to meet two new little babies. The girls had fun playing with their cousins. Then it was time for our annual night-before-the-race mass at St. Chris. We were so glad that Fr. Mike had mass and we got to chit-chat with him afterward. It's always so nice to be "back home again in Indiana". After dinner we got all the girls to bed so mommy, daddy, and Kathy could take the traditional walk down to 16th and Georgetown. Good times...

Justin, Luci, Jennifer, Tommy, and Maren...

Alex, Macy, Carsyn, Maren, and Logan...

Sunday morning--race morning--the girls ate a good breakfast and got slathered with sunscreen before packing the coolers and snack into the car and driving over to our old street in Speedway. Surprisingly we got over there super-quick. We hung out at Fred's for while, trying to stay cool and making sure the girls went to the bathroom before we walked to the track. It was so super-hot (the hottest race EVER recorded--in fact), so we had a little picnic in the shade behind turn one. We went up to our seats for all the pre-race traditions that we love so much. It was a very exciting race, especially seeing Tony move up eight positions in the first two turns, and eventually climbing all the way to second. I really thought he was going to be the first driver to win from a last row starting position. Unfortunately he ended up 11th, but that's still pretty amazing considering he started dead last. The girls did really well despite the heat. We had a great race weekend. Thanks to Kathy and Carol for putting us up and making us feel at home!

The girls and their race buddy, "Uncle" John...

And a new race buddy, "Aunt" Kathy...

Carsyn and Mommy ready for the most famous words in motor sports...

Logan...

Maren and Daddy watching the parade lap...

Trying to stay cool behind E Stand...

Fun Day...

That's right...mommy and daddy missed "Carb Day" so the girls could enjoy "Fun Day" at their school. Logan and Carsyn were so excited for school today. They had a blast playing games, doing relays, getting their faces painted, and eating up all the snow cones and popcorn. Now the car is loaded up, and we're off to Indy immediately after school. It's going to be a great weekend!

Carsyn and Logan ready for their fun-filled "Fun Day"...

Carsyn and her BFF's...

And, she's on it...

Re-fueling with pizza...

Face-painting...

In line for snow cones...

Yum...

Maren's Last Day of Preschool...

There is just no way that our "baby" can be finished with preschool, and headed to pre-k. But, it's true. Maren had her last day of preschool today. While I was ready for the year to over--too much running around, always dropping off or picking up someone, Maren was a little sad. She loved school from day one, but surely she'll get over it. Meanwhile, Carsyn has been "Super Saint" this week. Mommy and daddy were able to go into the classroom and help the kids with a craft. We also got to accompany the class to the lunchroom so they could practice for first grade. It was a fun, but very busy day.

The girls before school...

Big girl, Maren...

In the car going to school...

Carsyn and Lucey having lunch...

Fun in the Fountain...

After school today, the girls and I met up with one of Logan's friends and her mom. The girls had a blast playing in the fountain and "getting tan". After they dried off, they enjoyed ice cream at Cold Stone. I had forgotten how much the girls like going to The Greene on hot, sunny days.

Maren and Carsyn...

Sun bathing...

Bittersweet Sunday...

We had a very eventful day yesterday. After going to mass and picking up Panera for lunch, we came home to find out the TK had crashed his backup in practice (again) and might not make the race after all. So, we were glued to the T.V. and/or radio pretty much all day--even while mowing the lawn and playing outside. Thank goodness we were able to get a WIBC signal (albeit weak) in the car driving daddy to the airport. We got back home just in time to see Tony finally qualify for the Indy 500! Immediately after that we turned on the end of the Blackhawks game to see them sweep the Sharks and make it to the Stanley Cup finals! Then it was time to put the girls to bed (super-early) so I could give my full attention to the series finale of LOST. Wow! It's hard to believe it's all over. After six years. We've been super-loyal fans of the show since it's premier on September 22, 2004. No matter where we were (Indy, Virginia Beach, California, D.C.), we were tuned in. Personally, I loved the ending (Yea! Jack and Kate!), but will miss it dearly.

The girls playing with their GIANT inflatable ball

(thanks to Carsyn's Godparents)...

Pole Day...

It was definitely just like old times today when we drove over to Indianapolis to go to time trials for the Indy 500. We arrived in Speedway before noon, so we missed the first few drivers to qualify. We were so excited when our favorite driver, Tony Kanaan came out on the track to make his qualifying attempt, only to wreck in turn one (right in front of us) on the first lap. It was awful to see. Fortunately he walked away from it. But, he did not get to qualify today. Hopefully he'll put his car in the show tomorrow. Apart from that, we had a lot of fun. The girls were excited to see John who came and sat with us for a while. We are so glad to be living close enough to make back to Indy for Pole Day again! It just makes us all the more anxious for race day!

Carsyn...

Maren and Daddy...

Logan (and TK out on the course)...

Listening to John's scanner...

Aww...they love "Uncle" John...

Maren was worn out after a long day at the track...

Recess Duty...

It's a tough job, but someone has got to do it. It's actually not hard. At all. Carsyn usually stays with me and gets to eat lunch with Logan and her friends.

Today the kids got to go out...

Wednesday was indoor recess (and a dress-down day)...

Girl Scout Picnic...

Logan's Brownie troop had their year-end picnic this evening. Carsyn was happy to tag along and play with the other little sisters. Every had a great time, and the rain held off. They've had such a good time with all the scouting activities this year.

Logan and friends...

Carsyn...

Logan and Lakyn...

Carsyn and Lucey...

Sisters and sisters...