Lincoln Park Zoo and Millennium Park

On Monday, we all headed into the city to the Lincoln Park Zoo.  We caught the train from the train station not too far from Justin and Laura's and we were in the city around 11.  Instead of walking to the zoo, which was a long way from the train station, we caught a bus.  The kids thought it was cool to ride a city bus.  Once we got to the zoo we took a few tourist pictures by the big sign and found our way inside to a good picnic area.  We had packed sandwiches for lunch to save a little time.  After lunch we were off to see the zoo.  It took us a few hours to get through the zoo.  They have a lot of animals and surprisingly they all seemed to be out on the hot July day.  After the zoo we caught the bus back to downtown and stopped in a Giordano's Pizza for supper.  The pizza is to die for at Giordano's.....at least I think so!  Once we finished eating we walked over the bean and the water area at Millennium Park.  We walked around the bean and took some fun pictures and ventured over to the water area to let the kids splash around before heading back to Justin and Laura's.  It was a fun day in the city but we were beat!

Jacob, Lane and MaKena on the bus to the zoo.

Jacob and MaKena

A little family photo outside the zoo.

Justin, Laura and Dylan outside the zoo.

Having a picnic lunch inside the zoo.

The kids checking out the lions.  There's one lying on the cement in the back behind MaKena's head.

MaKena and Jacob looking at the animals in the water.

Riding the carousal.

MaKena had a major meltdown after riding the carousal.  The only person she wanted to be by was Jacob and Jacob didn't want to be by her because she was crying so loud.  It was stressful at the time but now looking at this picture its funny!

Me and the kids.

The fam.

Lane and the kids.

The bean.

The fam at the bean.

Lane was taking some pictures of us standing by the bean.  Can you see us?

Another family picture at the bean.

Justin, Laura and Dylan at the bean.

A family picture with the city in the back.

The water area at Millennium Park.

Jacob and MaKena splashing in the water.  It felt good to get your feet wet.

Hanging out with Justin, Laura and Dylan

On Saturday, July 28th we left the cities and arrived at Justin and Laura's house mid afternoon.  The kids were beyond excited when we pulled in to the driveway. I think Justin was a little excited for us to get there too as he called at least 5 times between the Wisconsin/Illinois boarder and when we pulled into their driveway.  He reminds me of dad!  Once we got settled we  had some dinner and then headed to a nearby park.  It was a nice Saturday evening to get out and walk after being stuck in the car all day.  The kids ran around and burned off some energy and had a blast.  On our way back home from the park we decided to walk over to an ice cream shop just down the road from Justin and Laura's.  The ice cream was to die for!  I'm glad we walked there!!  Once we finished our ice cream we headed back to Justin and Laura's to unwind.  It had been a long day so we turned in a little early.  Jacob, Laura and Justin had to get a game of Mexican dominos in before calling it a night. 

 

On Sunday, Justin took us to a nearby mall to do a little shopping.  The weather was cloudy and rainy so it was a good day to spend inside.  Sunday night Justin cooked some hamburgers and brats on the grill.  Laura's dad, Ron, joined us for dinner.  Justin dug out the bean bag toss game and Lane and Justin threw some bags before it got too dark.  MaKena was outside helping daddy throw bags.  We headed to bed early as we were planning on heading into the city on Monday.

 

 

Laura, Jacob and Justin on the teeter tauter.

Laura, Jacob, MaKena and Justin on the teeter tauter.

Laura, MaKena, Jacob and Me

Dylan and Justin

Mr. Dylan

Love, love, love this picture.  Laura was having some fun at the park!!  This picture makes me giggle!

MaKena loved getting up in the morning and playing with Dylan.

I think Dylan liked MaKena too.  Look at his cute smile!

I love this picture.  So cute.  MaKena would sit and talk to Dylan and play with him.  It was adorable.

One happy little boy!

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Minneapolis

The end of July Lane, the kids and I headed to Chicago for a family vacation.  We left on Friday, July 27th and drove as far as Minneapolis and stayed with Brec, Tina and Isabel. When we got to Brec's house we hung out and visited for awhile while the kids played.  Brec cooked some delicious hamburgers and brats on the grill for supper.  They were soooo good!!  After dinner Brec started a fire and the kids roasted marshmellows and had smores.  It was a short visit but we sure had fun.  We'll have to plan on staying a little longer next time. 

 

 

 

MaKena making a funny face at the camera getting ready to ride Isabel's scooter.

Jacob on his roller blades.  He's getting really good at them.

Isabel on her roller blades.  It was a lot of fun watching the 3 kids play together.

Daddy giving MaKena a push on the swing in the front yard.

The three kids eating their smores.  Isabel, MaKena and Jacob.

Hanging out in the back yard

After baking cookies with my favorite 4 year old girl, Sunday we relaxed in our pool in the back yard.  It was a hot, hot, hot day.  It had to have been hot for me to be in the pool!  I think Lane even joined us later!  It felt good to cool off on a hot summer day.  MaKena had fun splashing around with mommy and daddy.  Thankfully we have a large enough pool so we can sit in it too!!

 

 

MaKena and mommy hanging out in the pool!

Baking cookies!

All summer long I had promised MaKena we'd bake chocolate chip cookies.  So on Saturday, July 21st, that's what we did.  MaKena was so excited!  She helped me pour the ingredients in the bowl and mix them all together.  When it came time to making the balls and putting them in the oven I had to do that part.  If I would have let MaKena be in charge of making the balls we would have probably only had a dozen cookies!!  In between each batch that went in the oven MaKena and I had a little bite of the dough.  I know, I know, your not suppose to eat the cookie dough but we used to do it as kids.  That's the best part.  I remember walking to Grandma Ivy's after school and if she made chocolate chip cookies that day she would save a small ball of cookie dough in the fridge for us to eat when we got to her house.  If grandma thought it was OK then it must be OK!!  I do have to say that my cookies didn't turn out nearly as good as grandmas!!  But we sure had fun making them!  

 

 

MaKena watching me very close!  I'm pretty sure we were about 15 question into the 100 questions she asked that day while baking!!  So interested about everything at this age.

MaKena helping me dump the brown sugar into the bowl.

The worst part is done, now we just need to bake them!

Slip n Sliding with the neighbors

Back in June I purchased a cheap slip n slide at Walmart.  It came in handy when we were out at my mom's visiting when Justin and Laura were in town.  The kids loved it!  And so did some of the adults!!  On a hot July day the kids were playing with the neighbor kids and the pools just weren't very fun so I pulled the slip n slide out of the garage and brought it over to the neighbors for a little variety.  The kids had a blast.  It was cute to watch them wait in line for their turn.  One by one they slid down the slip n slide for most of the afternoon.  Some of the adults even got in on the fun! We'll have to dig it out again next summer for some more fun in the sun.

 

 

 

Tyler, one of the neighbor boys sliding on the slip n slide.

Rosemary going on the slip n slide.

Brynn walking down the slip n slide while MaKena watched.  The little girls had a hard time figure out how the slip n slide worked!

Rosemary sliding!

MaKena slipping n sliding!

Happy Birthday Jerene!

Happy birthday Jerene!  We hope you have a great day.  We love you!!

 

 

 

Gunnar's birthday party

On Wednesday, July 11th we headed up to Grand Forks after work to help Gunnar celebrate his 2nd birthday.  Its hard to believe that little guy is 2 already.  Once we got there the kids ran to the back yard to play on the swing set and tramp.  The kids had a blast playing with all their cousins.  After dinner Gunnar opened his huge pile of presents.  He got a lot of cool stuff.  He is one loved little boy!  After present opening we all gathered around the table and sang happy birthday.  I think he enjoyed all the attention!  It was a fun party!   

 

 

Karisa, Emma, Josie, MaKena and Mallorie playing on the swing set.

Jacob, William, McKayla and Karlee playing on the tramp.

Miss MaKena!



Jacob and MaKena playing in Emma's room.

Karisa playing on Emma's bed.

Mr. Gunnar, the birthday boy!

Some of the adults visiting while the kids play.

Jen helping Gunnar open his gifts while all the kids watch.

Daddy and MaKena.  MaKena was being goofy!

Grandma Ivy and Grandma Kathy watching Gunnar tear into his presents.

Karen and Josie Kate.

Gunnar waiting for everyone to sing happy birthday.

Gunnar blowing the candles out.