Im the biggest idiot !! OMG

So Chris' work had a outing at Lincoln Park Zoo today.
I love going to Orbitz outings because they always have free food, free drinks, and prizes and everyone is always so friendly. Well, a while ago Chris sent me this Email about Orbitz Pride Picnic at Lincoln Park Zoo. I said, hey that sounds fun lets go. So he RSVP'd us. Well, we have Katey's friend Lexi up for the weekend and thought she would enjoy coming with us and hanging out at the zoo.
So we get there and fill out our name tags and this guy hands Chris and I stickers that say.
"Out at work, Equal Oppertunity".
I sit down and laugh cuz todays not a work day, why does it matter if you are Out at work on a nonwork day. THEN IT HIT ME!! OMG Chris, is this Gay Pride? He smiles and says yeah, didnt you get the Email? And I said, well yeah, but it said Pride at work, I thought it ment, Yeah, I work for Orbitz. He laughed at me. Now Chris and I are totally open to the whole Gay and Lesbian thing and even have friends who are Gay, but I was just surprised that we had now taken our daughters friend to this function and not explained to the kids, or her parents what it was about. I was waiting for Chris to get back from getting some food, so we could explain to the kids what was going on, and before he gets back they lady takes the mic and starts talking about Gay's, Lesbians, and Transgenders having Pride at the workplace.... both girls, who are coloring masks, stop and look up and me and in unison say WHAT?? I give them a stern look and said, just go with it. They with a confused look on their faces say ok. Chris comes back, I told him what happened, he laughed and took all 3 big kids over to the side to have a little talk. Lexi came back and whispered to me, its no big deal my Uncle is gay. I snuck in a call to her mother to make sure everything was ok and she laughed really hard at my mistake. I just didnt want to make any decisions for someone else's kids. Luckily Lexi's mom felt the same way I do, and we think that it does kids good to be exposed to many different life experiences.
Now with all that out of the way, we enjoyed our company, enjoyed our food and even won 2 raffles. Katey won a I Quest, and Chris won a Fly Pen. Both are really cool toys.
Then we got to pet a snake, bigger than Charlie, and a turtle. Of course our kids bragged about owning their own snake, a corn snake named Charlie. Then we walked around the zoo and then we walked across Lake Shore Drive to North Beach. We waded in the water for a bit, built a sand arch, and then scrambled to the car in the pouring rain.
Ahhhh what a day.

Shel

Vacation

Every year Chris family goes on a vacation together. The Wassell Family Fishing trip is looked forward to by all. Its such a fun time as we are so big that we rent the entire resort to ourselves and spend the week hanging out, fishing, swimming, playing games, and watching the cousins run and play.
Here is a link to past fishing trip photo's. (click the blue link) Years 2007, 2006, and 2004

We also have a family pool tourney every winter,
Here is the link to last years pool tourney pics. (click the blue link)

Enjoy everyone,
See all you Wassell's in 4 days !
Lots of love,
Shel

Big guns, and short hair

Brandon and his Daddy have been lifting weights.

Brandon wants to have "big guns", and 6 pack abs.

Its really sweet to see both my boys working out.

I decided I need a change, and I wanted to do something totally crazy and different.

So I chopped off my hair today.

I LOVE IT!

Well enjoy...

I'll be posting more pics and an update later this weekend.

Tomorrow is Ashlyn's 3rd birthday

Hope you enjoyed the pics,

Shel

School's Out For Summer !!!

Today was the kids last day of school, they had to go for 1hr to get report cards.
Kathryn, miss social butterfly, had a party after school. They played at the park for an hour, then they went to her friends house to go swimming and have taco's. Unfortunaly, they could only swim for 30mins because it started to thunder and lightning out.. but they still had fun. Kathryn was pretty sad today, because her favorite Assistant Principal will no longer be there as he is moving to Florida. She was happy to spend a little extra time with him after school and he gave her and her friends rides in his golf cart.
I am please to say that Katey once again had a fabulous report card, All A's and 1 B+. Good Job sweetheart you are now a 6th grader.

Brandon had a great day at school too, he brought home the rest of his school supplies, he got a pencil from his bus driver, and walked in the door singing Schools Out For Summer! He's my little rock star. I think he needs an electric guitar real soon. He got a wonderful report card, and if you know Brandon, he's had to work hard for his grades. School doesnt come as easy for Brandon as it does for Kathryn, but he gives it his all. I am so proud of your report card Brandon, and I cant believe my little man is now a 3rd grader.

Ashlyn is ready for summer too. She hates when Bro Bro and Sissy are gone. She can deal with Mom and Dad being gone, NOT her brother and sister. Right now she is laying in between them, and is in heaven. She is really excited to "get the party started" as she is counting down to her Birthday. She will be 3 on Friday June 6th. Where did all the time go? To celebrate we are having our friend Trina and her 2 kids come up for the weekend. We are going to have pizza, cake, and a tiny pinata. Then on Sat we are going to the beach. Ashlyn's favorite place is the beach.

Check back on friday for Ashlyn's birthday video and pics.
Lots of Love,
Shel