christmas part 1

we've been playing catchup on the blog. we took at 20 day trip, chicago, kansas city, and new life ranch. it was great fun to spend time with family and friends.







we went to chicago's lincoln park zoo light display. it was amazing!





there were so many fun cool lights, the kids loved it!





the weather was just perfect. a little bit of snow in the late evening made it feel very chirstmasy!





each of the kids picked out their favorite light display to take a picture in front of!





there as also music that went to many of the different displays!





3-D glasses were also available to enhance the light viewing experience.

the Second City {our 2nd visit}

We returned to Chicago again {a last minute visit}.

Uncle Joel and Aunt Brigitta came to Illinois for a bitter-sweet celebration: the life of Captain Thomas Heitmann. He was Joel's best friend. a Marine. a helicopter pilot. a brother. a son. an uncle. some one who will be dearly missed. {we did not go to the funeral; but we did see pictures.} it brought tears to my eyes. many tears. all flags flew at half-mast in the state. school children lined the streets waving flags. to honor him. to honor his sacrifice. so i can have freedom.

then we met in the big city.

the zoo is free. enough stuff to do for a whole day.

we went to the farm area.... we're kinda country like that!

she was equal to the weight of two chickens!

rode the train.

rode some hippos.

looked at giraffes.

smiled for the camera {this is rare}

all right in the heart of the city!

then we went to Navy Pier.

being in-laws is always the most fun.

we walked the streets of chicago {grandad and nana came too}.

took a boat tour.

some of us took a nap.

and had fun... but don't be confused.
if you think these kids look more like
my brother and his wife,
you're not the first to think that!

The 2nd City {Chicago}

It has been a while since I blogged, there have been many tears shed between my last blog and this one. The reason why? Well, we decided to update our operating systems and changed to Windows 7, so that meant a complete hard drive reformat, etc, and in the midst of everything, my dear sweet, so helpful, so going out of his way husband, didn't down load all our pictures, just some.... So after the help of {brother-in-law, EE, Garmin employed} Ted, we discovered that they were indeed LOST. FOREVER. S.A.D..... sadder for my husband {mainly, because I was sad}. So all that to say, BOO HOO. But I am thankful for Facebook and all the other techie stuff out there, we've been able to get a lot of the lost ones... just a few key ones are missing...

But in during Justin's break between summer school and fall start, we went to Chicago! So fun to be close to such a GREAT city! And our favorite Rara was there with us too! We had a blast!!

At Navy Pier

Pretending he is a turtle in the pond!

All the fabulous faces of a 3-yr-old

the shooting water at the garden is a 2-yr-olds delight!

Sweet Girl~ looks just like her brother at this age!

At Navy Pier

This is date night!

We ate at Graham Elliot... the food was amazing!
{he is one of the judges on Master Chef}



 

 The smart thing we did was bring Rachel with us to Chicago! Then one night, she and Justin went to Second City Comedy club and one night Justin and I went on a date... lots of fun for Justin... Its kinda his thing... he's the fun guy!



Justin's dream chair... we will never, ever own it... because we have kids,
and because you could buy an orphanage in
 Africa for the price of the chair~ instead he can visit it at the store!











First ride on the El



it was quite fun... kids ride free!



American Girl



giant woody, outside LEGO land!