Chicago 2011

The middle of March, Evan and I were able to visit Chicago with our good friends Brandon and Ashley.  While we were gone the kids stayed with my sister and brother in-law and their cousins!  Bless her heart for taking that job on!  The kids had a blast and I'm so grateful for the extra time they had with their aunt and uncle and cousins.  It was a much needed trip for Evan and I to have some time for ourselves along with our good friends, prior to Brandon's departure to Oklahoma for several months this summer for more mmilitary training.  We left on St. Patrick's day and came home that following Sunday.  We took the train from Omaha, NE to Chicago and back to Omaha.  It was quite an experience, but we had lots of fun!

Ashley & Brandon on the train on our way to Chicago

We spent the majority of the time on the train to Chicago playing cards (and the entire trip back!)

Ashley and Mindy waiting to get our luggage after getting of the train at the Chicago train station (which is MUCH bigger than the Omaha train station!) :)

One day the boys spent going to March Madness Basketball games while us girls shopping and had goodies, like these "Sprinkles" cupcakes!

They were delicious!

We tried some new food, and I suppose I'll put this wrong, but I think it was clams...I wouldn't try them, but Evan loved them.

Some of our sight seeing included Shedd's Aquarium which we all enjoyed.

We saw a dolphin show at the aquarium.

Yummy Chicago style pizza!

We also visited the Navy Pierre

A night out to a fancy steak house for aged steak.

Ashley's aunt and uncle joined us one evening as they live right out of Chicago.

We did lots of walking and took some taxi's, but this night we came upon a limo ride for the cost of a taxi!

Playing cards on our way home!



Christmas Cookie Making Time with Friends!

December 16th, we had some friends over to make cookies.  (On a side note: As I'm typing this I'm recalling that Makenna came down with a runny nose the week prior to this and she's STILL sick.  This makes me realize how long she's really been sick!  So please also add her to your prayers.  She's already been on antibiotics and done a round of rocephin shots.)  It was great to be able to spend time with friends and make yummy cookies and treats to enjoy during this Christmas holiday. 

My dear friend Kirstie was brave and helped the kids do the cut outs for the sugar cookies.

Denver took the most interest in this.  He loves helping in the kitchen.

Kirstie's adorable daughter, Grace.  She mostly watched, but did manage to get flour in her hair!

Berkley a good friend of the kids.

Berk and her mommy Ashley (a good friend of mine) came to make cookies too.

After naps we frosted the cookies, just the kids & I.

This was a bit of a daunting task to me.

Kenna still waking up, but happy to have a cookie with FROSTING!

Denver trying to help frost the cookies.



Zoo, zoo, and more zoo

I got a zoo pass again this year and I know we will have no problem getting our money out of it!  Denver LOVES going to the zoo and is always asking to go.  The week we got it we went twice and now he saw me going through pictures for this post and he said "Can we go to the zoo right now?".  We just may have to be making a trip there or he might make me go crazy!  Denver loves the bears and tigers.  He also enjoys the fish, monkeys, giraffe, and zebras.  His fascination with zebras has kind of died to what it was like last summer.  They also have a sand "box" to play in so I'll have to remember to take the sand toys along next time as last time he wanted to play in it, but wasn't sure what to do and ended up throwing sand at a little girl...who really didn't care, but her grandma sure did and was quite rude to me about it.  Not that I approve of him throwing sand because I don't, we had a little talk about it, and I made him appologize and then wouldn't let him go near anyone in the sandbox following.  The following pictures are from when we went to the zoo with our friends Ashley & Berkley.


Makenna has little fear...Denver on the other hand is a little more cautious. as you can see in this picture.

Excitement...

...looking at the bears.

Feeding the goats...

...what fun!

hmmmm....can I touch him?

Oh I touched him!

Now what?

Milking the cow...being just like Papa Rodney!

Too busy watching the giraffes and zebras to take a picture!

She's happiest when she's toddling around!  Too busy to be held...and getting to busy to have any time to sit in the stroller.

"I can't WAIT until you can run with me Berkley!"