Sunday, June 3, 2012

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!
Untitled

we did cartwheels, and ate lunch
Untitled

we visited Navy Pier
Untitled

went to Chicago Children's Museum
Untitled

went to american girl doll
Untitled

had a tea party
Untitled

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

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

rode the train
Untitled

watched the dolphin show at the aquarium
Untitled

and wore papa's hat around!
Untitled

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

Friday, June 1, 2012

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.
Untitled

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!
Untitled

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!
Untitled

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!
Untitled

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.
Untitled

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.
Untitled

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}. Untitled

thats all for now!

Saturday, May 19, 2012

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}!

IMG_6957

This is the view from our El stop, we have a Noodles & Co, our grocery, along with Anthropology all along this block!
< IMG_1451

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. IMG_6938

We made it to breakfast! We rarely dine-out, because its a little chaotic......
IMG_6953

and the dining continues...
IMG_6955

and then we enjoyed a walk home!
IMG_6948

it is all quite picturesque!
IMG_6937

and then there is the random rock in front of our entrance. IMG_6935

and i'll leave you with our first beach pics!
IMG_1452

nothing quite like a city skyline and the beach!
IMG_1460

lake michigan is COLD, but the kids loved it!
IMG_1458
more to come!

Monday, March 5, 2012

Tenley {10 months and a few days}

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


IMG_6520


she is our most petite kiddo so far!


IMG_6589


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


IMG_6581


she is so expressive!


IMG_6533


so sweet!


IMG_6527


easy going!


IMG_6530

she is loved and adored!

IMG_6564

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

the big 30

so i turned 30.

my husband is pretty great, and my friends here are pretty great too, and so they decided to throw me a surprise party.
{and if you are thinking to yourself, they just moved there 9-months ago, i can't believe there are people throwing her a surprise party, then you too, like me would be surprised.}

30th

i can't believe they all came together to celebrate me. what generosity on each of their parts, i felt so loved by them. and i was surprised and speechless!

30th

the old 30-somethings looking on!

30th

now there were two cakes, the first one i cut into was supposed to burst forth with water everywhere, however, due to my calm, collected, non-take-charge, relaxed persona, when i went to cut the cake, i slit the waterballon, thus leaving me questioning everyone if there was supposed to be a puddle of water in the cake. to which they all said, oh, it didn't work. and boy, do i wish it would have. next time i will be more aggressive with my cake cutting!
30th
admiring the construction!
30th

this is the real cake. YUMMY!
Hilarie did an incredible job making this... yes, she made it!

30th
it tastes as good as it looks!

30th
since we didn't get a pic of the adults, here is one of all the kids! just 5 families represented... a lot of kids!

30th
we did a piƱata.
30th
it was fun!
30th
nothing like 30-and swinging a bat!
30th
thanks,
Grant's, Morozov's, Erwin's, Dixon's and Geiser's
for helping me roll into the next decade!

Monday, February 6, 2012

Heimer Christmas {part 2}

playing tea party!


IMG_6309


poor pierce, the only boy, couldn't handle the tea cups!


IMG_6319


then we had fun designing barbie clothes!


IMG_6324


pierce jumped in on this activity.


IMG_6326


it took lots of time!


IMG_6328


the finished product {cousin Brenna}!


IMG_6331


another great design {cousin Kaitlyn}.


IMG_6332