Chicago: Parking and Mini Coopers

So Chicago is full of fun times... Bright lights, Great places to eat, and great opportunities to learn how to parallel park!

Here is Uncle Chad parking Grandma and Grandpa's "boat"!

P.L.E.N.T.Y. of room!

Also, we did not get photos of the ridiculous amounts of MINI COOPERS that we saw...the kids counted at least 19...I do believe in signs from God!

Impromtu Who Said That ? ~Answer~

In just the quietest nasally voice, from the middle of the van, curiosity just could not be contained.
She just had to know...


"Was his first name Aquarium?"

It was Gabi, good ole' Gabi, she always has a quick, UNIQUE answer! This girl can really roll with the big dogs!

Chicago: People we like and Otel

We had a great time in Chicago, this post will focus on the people that we got to visit with, as well as our Otel...I will explain!

We spent lots of time with Uncle Chad and Aunt Julie, they know where are ALL the cool places are in the "city", they know how to entertain 4 kids with ease, and they know how to get our exercise in for the day!

Here we have Uncle Chad making faces with Will...it is quite a fun game!

And here, we have the WORLD'S Happiest baby...she NEVER stops smiling...or she didn't in the 2 hours we spent with her!

She loves to swing! This is our friend Carrie's little girl. We didn't get a picture of our dear friend Carrie, the birthday girl....but we have a feeling that we will get plenty of pictures next weekend at the High School reunion...we will see if we can post any of those! :)

AND THIS...is the view from our Otel....a typo you wonder....NO, we stayed at the swissotel...it is just amazing. Our friend Carrie hooked us up with a 41st floor sweet suite! This is looking down on the Chicago River!

The view from one of our windows, there were workers working on the buildings to the right. Cranes were moving every which way...the kids loved watching the process!

More pictures from our otel! Will loved the building with the spire on top!

The cranes, hard at work.

I am shocked by how amazing the view is!

Night life in Chicago.

Our comfy beds! All pleasantly decorated with our special blankets!

Our sitting area. There was also a nice kitchenette, and 1.5 baths!

We will never be able to sleep in Motel 6 agian! :)

We're Back!

We are back from our weekend getaway, in an amazing "otel", with a beautiful view!
A fast paced, constant noise, sights, and flavorful smells kind of city.
An intimate and delightful baby shower.
We found a huge bean in the middle of a park.

I have 300+ pictures to download/crop...so I will get to work!

So if you just can't wait for some awesome family fun ....
how about an Impromptu Who Said That?

After I explained to the children that we were going to Shedd Aquarium, someone said "Why is it called Shedd Aquarium?"
And then I told them: "Well, it was named after the man who founded/created the Aquarium, his name was Shedd."
So then WHO SAID? "Was his first name Aquarium?"
* And just a side note: When traveling to Shedd, it is worth your time to make sure that it is NOT half price admission day!*

Chi-town!

And we are OFF! This family is heading out East, to visit Chicago! We are going to attend a baby shower, for my upcoming nephew...we will be visiting with some friends, and touring!
Shedd Aquarium here we come!
We are staying 2 blocks from Navy Pier! (Thanks Carrie!)

AND we will be heading to IKEA for an ENTIRE day of shopping...
I just need to break this news to daddy and the kids!

We will be back sometime on Sunday!

Please pray that our van does not break down this time! :)

Floodwaters ~ Muscatine

Here are some pictures from the "River front" in Muscatine. The waters were higher than this in 93, but the river had not crested when we visited last week...

Just after we arrived, we watched a train go by, on the Rail Road tracks...not quite sure how that was going to work for him, but he made it.

The kids are excited to play in the street.

A fun little game...

...and Will wants to make sure he gets his turn too!

But remember...
just don't drink flood water...

you could end up like this:

This girl o' mine...

This girl ... has become a young lady!

As I dropped her off for her last day in 2nd grade, I tried to persuade her that she didn't have to go in, therefore not completing 2nd grade, and then she wouldn't grow older. It worked for me.

SO this girl right here ... see photo above ... said, "I sure am growing up, aren't I, Mom?"

Okay, pass the tissue. I could not get her out of the van fast enough before the tears fell, and fell!

I have been proud of my own accomplishments in life ... but nothing prepares you for the great accomplishments that come with being a parent! I feel this with all my children and just need to share how mature she is becoming, quite a young lady!

There will be more "happy" tears, but they are sure to follow all the amazing accomplishments that she will be gathering in the future!

Who Said that? (Answer #1)

Okay, here is the answer to the 1st Who Said that?

It was Brandon!

All the kids were deciding what color they would paint their room, and Brandon, not to be out done, decided that he would paint it ALL the colors!

*M*E*M*O*R*I*E*S*

This post really is only for myself ... but that is okay, right? Well, it will have to be.

In my pre-mother, pre-wedded life, I was a nanny. I lived in Iowa City and had two young boys to care for, with one more soon to arrive. One parent was a doctor; the other was finishing up residency in neurosurgery.

This family brought MANY amazing experiences in my life! I got a feel for the Jewish religion, got very comfortable navigating NYC, learned of Princess Diana's death while at the "weekend" home in Connecticut and missed an elevator ride with Julia Roberts at the Ritz in Chicago. As well as jumpstarting my own parenting skills in the beginning stages. Plus, developing a close relationship with the mom. I have nothing negative that I can even recall with this family. They ARE family.

One Saturday, I was going about my "weekend chores."
(read: on the computer, avoiding housework)

What joy came over me when the familiar voice on the other end was of my former boss, telling me he was venturing out to visit the past and wanting to visit me and meet my family!

SO ... what happens when you leave the family when the children are 2, 4, and 6? They don't stay those ages! I was shocked.

These "boys" are now 16, 14, and 12! I was there when the baby was still in the belly ... this just floors me! The boys were so great. Very kind to our kids, giving piggyback rides and listening to endless pointless stories. Hey, I used to do this for them. :)

I am truly on Cloud 9!

WHO said that? (#1)

I frequently find myself saying, "I NEED to write that down" after the children have said something funny...or creative...or sincere! There are so many things that I don't want to forget, but to put them down somewhere, and then to remember WHERE I put them...well, it is just a little much! :)
SO here is the beginning of what I think could easily become a series!

SO...Who said it?: " I want my room painted rainbow color!"

DAM! I wish I was your levee!

With much talk of flooding, levees and dams, the boys took it upon themselves to become beavers (makes their dad proud!) and to build a dam in our living room.
DISCLAIMER:
~no animals were in injured during this process~

First the beavers had to gnaw at some wood, to prepare for their dam.

Then with much tail power, they would pat down the sticks, and mud to make the dam solid!

Here are some hardworking, proud beavers!

Tucker is able to remain safely in his home due to the quality craftmanship of this dam!

Quite an involved process!

*And the clean up of the dam was your typical couple of weeks-long-process!*

Mom and Dad enjoyed time afterwards directing with phrases such as:
"Did you pick up your dam toys yet?"
"There are still some dam pieces all over the place."
"If you guys don't get this dam stuff picked up...."

You must make it fun for the parents as well!

Father's Day (Other Great Dads)

Hey, we have a dad, but word is, there are some other dads that need a little recognition as well!

First Up:
OPA, (dad's dad)

This guy here...he is an AWESOME OPA! He is constantly giving us candy, taking us for boat rides on the mighty Mississippi--when it is not flooding--letting us drive motorized vehicles all over his driveway. He ALSO surprises us with ice cream trips...AND he OFTEN fixes our van!
OPA, we love you, and a have a great time with you!!!

NEXT:
UNCLE A (Dad's brother)

This Uncle A, is a pretty sweet deal! He has these tats so we thought he was tough...but he giggles like a girl, so we know he has a soft side! He loves to catch us off guard and wrestle us before we know what has hit us! The best thing Uncle A has done for us:
Mr.T, our cuz...he is even cooler! He likes to chase us around as well, and thinks we are all funny! Uncle A, you are a great uncle, but an AWESOME dad! We think you rock!

NNNEEEXXXTTTT:
Grandpa (Mom's Dad)
This guy...you GOTTA watch! He is quick...quick to take our things and hide them, quick to hide, then scare the *&$@! (read:stuff) out of us,
and quick to defend us if mom is too tough!
Grandpa, we love going for truck rides with you, and on special asparagus hunts! We do also like you teasing us, and love to play card games with you! You are an AWESOME grandpa, and we love spending time with you! He can also rip out our sink, and toilet...mom told him it was okay!
Just so you know: he can sleep anywhere, at any time!



Next up:
Uncle C a.k.a Uncle Donut
(mom's older brother)

SO really we aren't 100% sure how this one will turn out, since Uncle C and Aunt J are expecting their first, at the end of July...BUT we do know that this guy supplies us with endless amounts of donuts! What kid wouldn't love that?! We love to play games with you Uncle C, and he is always creating new and fun ways to get our brains going! He supplies us us with awesome and thoughtful gifts, and we cherish our time together! We KNOW that our little cousin has got it made! You are a compassionate, thoughtful, and creative uncle! Thanks for the donuts, and all the great memories! We love you, and your donuts...but mostly...you....

And then:
Uncle B: (mom's younger brother)

Okay, for those of you who know Uncle B, NO he is not a dad...YET! We have a little gut feeling that within a year and a half or so...that there will be a mini Uncle B in the works--GOD help us! :)
Uncle B has come a long way from his oil smearing on the floor (for skating, of course), kicking random people with cowboy boots, and lighting small fires in our backyard...really I am sure any child that he brings into this world...will...be .... fine...really...nothing....to .... worry .... about!
We LOVE kicking the soccer ball around with Uncle B; he doesn't take it easy on us though! We love wrestling with him as well; he is good at bodyslamming us! Truly, we do know that when the time comes, Uncle B is going to be an awesome dad! He is fun, and loving, and smart! We are trying to get him to teach us to play poker; I guess he thinks he's good!
Uncle B, thanks for keeping us on our toes when you're around and playing with us!
We love you, Uncle B!
Uncle B also gives great huge bars of chocolate!
He knows already, that you CAN buy love!

LAST, but not least!

Do we really need to say more?


HAPPY FATHER'S Day!!!
We appreciate all the love that you have given us and the wonderful impact you have made in our lives! You are all such great, strong role models...something our parents are proud to have in our family!
Happy Father's day,
We LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!


~yes, you too Sen. Obama!~
okay, mom added that part.

Father's Day (Daddy Style)

Here is a list with accompanying pictures of all the great things our dad does! It really is extensive and quite impressive...just so you are prepared!

OUR DAD:

Loves to talk on the phone to mom...

...when he is in L.A. on a non-fun-vacation.

Likes to be near the mountains...

...but not too close to the signs...we think he has watched to much 24!


Would rather take the stairs...

we don't really understand why he wouldn't just take the elevator, especially here, there are sooo many stairs!

Likes to have his picture taken...

...but not when he is looking!

Likes to watch movies...

...over, and over, and over...

He is there to help, when we need him...

...especially when a certain little girl, no names please, had been told to go potty, refused...THEN decided at the last minute that she better go!


He teaches us the importance of TEAM WORK...

...him, against us!


Our dad LOVES STAR WARS...

...but we try to tell him that he has outgrown it...he just doesn't listen.


He teaches us the value of hard work...

he values watching us work.


He loves to play with us...

...dangling us over the flooded Mississippi is one of our all time favorite games...
we just don't play it as often as we would like!

He is a good listener...

...especially when it is about movies!

And...he is a sucker, for a cute face!

...or two!

And last but NOT least...
He has super powers......and SUPER qualities!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY DAD!

Thank you for taking us all on with such determination! We LOVE our time spent with you! You make us all have fun, and if we don't then you put us in time out! You have taught all of us to ride our bikes, conquer our individual fears, lead by example of how to treat others, and given us so much love. You are the BEST! You are understanding, fun, and good at the Wii...what more could we want?...maybe a trampoline...

Have a great day!