fun fridays

we took an adventure {or that just might be our life}. we rode 14 miles along chicago's greatest attractions. and it was fun. we were hot. but still, lots of fun.
we went to Buckingham Fountain.

took a picnic. played hide-and-seek in the bushes. relaxed.

when you aren't actually riding the bike and are a passenger in the trailer, you have lots of energy, when your parents have none!

some of us attempted to walk....

l.o.v.e.

took a venture over to the famous BEAN

you can see how we roll. about 20 feet in length. two and a half peddlers.two riders and a sweet 4-year-old who does gymnastic poses on her tag-a-long {no, not joking.at.all}.

then we went to the fountains. you can see pierce in the corner of the tower. and behind you can see the images of faces that flash up on the fountain walls.
it was super fun. i was just thankful no one broke a bone while we were there. it was slippery and there were a few falls.
/
there were LOTS of people splashing. this is what you do in the city, when there are no swimming pools around.
and super daddy was the one to venture out with the big kids, while little T and i stayed back to climb in and out of the bike trailer.
i let my kids spin bike tires around, go ahead and judge its great entertainment.

laundry.city.one.year.later

There are a lot of random things to this post. Mostly because I find myself reflecting on things I would have not thought would be the current place i find myself and also getting laundry done and of course, life in the city. So I digress.

Almost one year ago today we moved to B-Town for Justin to begin Law School.

In some ways it has been a lot of what I expected and then in others not.

I think I have more questions than answers, but isin't that just life?

I find myself lonely here. much like last summer. both experiences by choice. so, is that what makes it sting more? Places that the Lord has taken our family, you know, those places you would not have chosen for yourself, have always been the most rich. places we've chosen for ourselves {even when the Lord has made it clear, it is where we are to go} always leave me wrestling, wondering, asking. am i abiding?

and then in the midst of all this, there are children. husband. laundry. life.

so i will continue to ask, question, and ponder.
but now for the laundry.


this is the laundry. that must be carried down two flights of stairs. to the car. with 3 little people in tow.

then there is the actual laundromat i might have left my children in the car and its a whole system, with protocol and such. laundromat etiquette.

this kid was super helpful, pushing around the rolling carts, i was just thankful no one put him in a dryer {if you followed the news, some random stranger did this to some kid at the laundromat}.

and then this cute girl, who tried to hold the little kids hands to make sure no one ran away, and of course, posed for the picture.

and then it began to rain. so we went to the car to watch a movie.
I am so THANKFUL for our laundry in our house. I recognize that most people in the world {lets say the 99%} have to do their laundry in a laundromat, or along a river. so be mindful, if you aren't carting your laundry around. you are the 1%. and I am abundantly blessed. its.the.little.things.

chicago visit from the heimer's

our cousins came with grandma and papa to visit! it was so much fun! we visited museums, american girl doll, the beach and more!

we loved our visit to the beach! lake michigan is great during the summer, a little cold, but no salt to get in your mouth, and you still have the little waves that come in to offer a splash as you dig in the sand!


we did cartwheels, and ate lunch


we visited Navy Pier


went to Chicago Children's Museum


went to american girl doll


had a tea party


tenley enjoyed a cookie this never would have happened with the older two


we picked out lots of tags and magazines its the free stuff!


rode the train


watched the dolphin show at the aquarium


and wore papa's hat around!


we also had a dance party, but we'll save that for later, enjoy!

Adventures in the City

so here is an overview of where we are living, I know all you avid readers really want to see what our place looks like, so here you go!
{side note: i did not clean before taking these... don't judge}

here is our living room, notice the bikes in the lower corner, so it also serves as our garage.


now a view from the kitchen, into the living/dining room. we were blessed to have the bathrooms redone this past week. lets just say, i've lived in several less than desirable situations {trail head lodge at NLR}, and i would chalk these bathrooms up to be the worst, mold and stuff like that growing up the wall, so I am thankful for the new!


we have a very steep stairwell {we're in a 2nd-story walk-up}, i'm always a little concerned someone is going to mis-step at the top curve and tumble all the way down, they would then only run into the strollers at the bottom because the stairwell serves as the trunk of our car!


now for the local park. we have one about 2-blocks away, its a small structure nestled in between buildings with little to no shade, so when its hot, its really HOT!


we are not helicopter parents, for two reasons, one we have to many kids to follow each one around and make sure they are safe, and two, a little bit of independence is good, so at parks like these, I clearly stand out. I allow my two-year-old to climb things like this clearly if he fell it would hurt, but that is how you learn not to let go and most other nannies {or a few moms} gasp a little as I observe from a distance.


and this super cool climbing thing Blythe LOVES! she has perfected her ability to balance and move across without falling! Oh, and another random fact, most people here have twins. hold on, I mean majority. most assume that B and P are twins, and ask if they are, but I guess the would only be normal to assume that. in one afternoon there were over 9-sets of twins at the park, and only a few "single" kids.


and lastly we have our sweet T at the park, I let her crawl around, sometimes i think observers judge me for letting her get dirty but she loves to participate, instead of observe {like the little guy in the corner of the pic}.

thats all for now!

A Chicago Summer

It has been a while, and in that little while many things have happened, including a move to Chicago for the summer. I know some think we're crazy, and maybe we are, but its our little adventure, and we love it!

Here are some pics of where we find ourselves! For those that are familiar with the Chicago area, we are living on Southport in Lakeview, just a few blocks from Wrigley Field... that's for all you baseball fans.. be jealous!
Here is a view of our local Starbucks {less than a block from our condo}!



This is the view from our El stop, we have a Noodles & Co, our grocery, along with Anthropology all along this block!
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Walking to breakfast, because we wouldn't want to hassel with loosing our parking spot, and besides its only .5 miles... then we will enjoy breakfast because the kids sat so well after their long walk.

We made it to breakfast! We rarely dine-out, because its a little chaotic......


and the dining continues...


and then we enjoyed a walk home!


it is all quite picturesque!


and then there is the random rock in front of our entrance.

and i'll leave you with our first beach pics!


nothing quite like a city skyline and the beach!


lake michigan is COLD, but the kids loved it!

more to come!

Tenley {10 months and a few days}

our sweet T is 10 months {and a week}.





she is our most petite kiddo so far!





weighing in at a whopping 16.5 lbs {the other kids were well over 25lbs by now}.





she is so expressive!





so sweet!





easy going!




she is loved and adored!