Swimming SISTERS

Chicago for a DAY

I love Chicago!  I always get so excited just seeing the skyline.  It is such an amazing city and I feel very fortunate to be a 2 hour drive away.

The kids had last Monday off of school, so we headed to Chicago just for the day.  I feel very confident in getting around that city.  I have a great place that I love to park at and then just taxi and/or walk...  It was a great day.  Blake wanted a friend to come so he had a BUDDY!  We left our house after breakfast and made it home by 7pm :)

 Shark pup sack...  The Wild Reef - shark area - is a huge hit for my kids.  This is the first time that we saw these BABY sharks in the sacs...

 Jellyfish exhibit was my favorite...  Usually it is so crowded that we have a hard time seeing some things.  We were the only ones in this exhibit today...  

 Dolphin Show

 4-D Movie

 Shedd's Aquarium is always amazing.  We have a membership there!

 Rainforest Cafe is a tradition for us in Chicago

 The RIVER - the kids are even getting to be quite the Chicago tour guides.  

 The BEAN

We got a taxi from the BEAN to take us back to our truck...  I love these day trips!

Halloween FUN

The girls were very excited about this...

A SURPRISE Visit

The month of October just flew by.  We had such a busy month that I hardly had a chance to post...  I'll try to highlight our happenings.  

My parents came down for a visit and brought Drake and Ava with them.  We kept it a surprise for the kids.   The cousins haven't seen a lot of each other because all of our schedules have been so busy.  My parents have also not been to my house since last Christmas...  It was a fun weekend for everyone.

Drake loved learning how to shoot...  Madison was a wonderful teacher!

 Blake brought out the guns

 These two hunted for hours...  They had some GREAT stories

 Fun with OMA...  Blake is catching up to her.

 These two little girls were inseparable

 ELECTRONICS>>>

 Drake was so impressed with Madison's skills.  He thought she looked like the HUNGER GAMES girl

My BOY

I have been so amazed at my sweet boy lately!!!!  He is so grown up and just the most appreciative and thoughtful 10 year old that I know.  I sometimes feel a little guilty that he gets cheated with my attention because the girls require A LOT of my time.  He just goes with the flow and puts up with too much teasing from his sister.  I have been trying real hard to tell and show him how much I appreciate him.  He constantly still gives me the best  hugs and kisses...  I hope that never ends.  I have been trying to let him have more playdates with friends.

He loves staying home by himself for a few hours when the girls have their activities.  He also just won first place in the back stroke at our swim meet.  He shattered his old time.  He never stops amazing me. I just LOVE this little boy!

Blake and I at his school Halloween party...

Romeo

Madison is in love with her rabbit Romeo...  He is actually stealing all of our hearts.  He is a great pet.  I love it that he is litter trained.

Denver with My SISTAS!!!

I love DENVER!!!!  It was absolutely gorgeous and I still can't believe all the great shopping and eating out there.  Charlene and I flew out to Denver withOUT kids.  This is the first "sister only" vacation.  I was so needing a little get away...  It was so amazing to just hang out, laugh, eat, drink, shop, take a nap, visit the spa, stay in a hotel, piano bar, watch a movie, and talk without any of my kids NEEDING me...

We got to spend some time with just Emily as well.  She has really grown up :)

 Four Seasons in Downtown Denver

 I loved hiking at Christy's house...