Chicago Post 3 of 3

Before we headed back to Justin’s on Tuesday, we decided to check out the view from the Sears Tower (actually it’s called the Willis Tower now). It was really neat. It was a clear day so the view was amazing. Like I mentioned before, I’m not a big fan of heights so when we got to the glass ledges I wasn’t going to do it. But mom made me! I had to back in and close my eyes. Talk about creepy standing on glass and being able to see 100+ stories below you. And the thing that made it the scariest was all the people standing on the ledge at the same time. My hands are sweating just thinking about it now! It was an experience I’m glad I did and I honestly don’t know if I’ll do it again!

Wednesday was probably our busiest day in Chicago. We headed into the city from Justin’s apartment and got on the Trolley and went to Shed Aquarium. Wednesday must have been the day to go to the Shed because we ended up waiting in line for awhile. Once we got inside we managed to see everything except the dolphin show. When we finished at the Shed we hopped on the Trolley and headed to an Italian Restaurant across the street from the Bank of America Theatre. We had tickets to The Jersey Boys at the Theatre. Talk about an excellent show. The acting was amazing and the story was very interesting. It was about Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. By the time the show was over we headed back to Justin’s. It was a late night but a fun night.

On Thursday we headed to the Field Museum with Justin and Laura. They had the Real Pirates exhibit on display. I found it very interesting but it was a lot of reading. The Museum is home to the world’s largest and most complete T. Rex named Sue. It was cool to see all her bones and what they looked like. I enjoyed the museum but it was a lot of history and reading. You could spend days in there and still have stuff to do. Thursday night Just and Laura took us to The Cheesecake Factory for dinner. The food was delicious and the cheesecake was even better. I wish we had one of those here. Actually it’s probably a good thing we don’t have one!

On Friday we got up early and headed into Wrigley Field for the Cub’s game. Justin was able to get us some tickets in the bleacher section. It was a blast. The weather was perfect, the beer was cold and Cub’s won the game. It was a great way to end the busy week in Chicago. I had so much fun at the game I’m already thinking about going to another one next year with Lane and Jacob. If it works into our schedules! Saturday we got up and drove back home. It was sad to leave but nice to get home to the kids and Lane. I needed another vacation from my vacation. We were constantly on the go but we did lots and saw lots so it was well worth it.

A view from the Sears Tower. Those small white things in the water are all the boats along the shore of the lake.
Another view from the Sears Tower.

On the ledge with my mom. Freaky!!

Shari, mom and Carol on the ledge. Carol wasn't a big fan of going out there either!

One of our nice Trolley divers offered to take a picture of us before he dropped us off at one of our stops. We were the only ones on the Trolley.

Bank of America Theatre where Jersey Boys was playing. They wouldn't let you take pictures inside.

One of many of our train rides. We were sitting up top.

Justin and Laura on the train.

This was taken outside The Field Museum. That's Soldier Field where the Bears play.

At the Cubs game sitting in left field. We had GREAT seats!

Me, Justin and mom taking a picture to send to Jason wishing he was with us! (Or just rubbing it in with our beer!! We love you Jason!)

Carol, Shari, mom, me, Justin and Laura enjoying the Cubs game.

These are the roof top bleachers. Business around Wrigley Field put bleachers on top of their buildings and you can rent the space for one of the games.

The four gals after the Cubs game. We had a blast!

Outside Wrigley Field. Carol, Shari, mom, me and Justin.

Chicago Post 2 of 3

Sunday night we headed back to Navy Pier and rode the Ferris Wheel. I wasn’t going to ride it but I didn’t want to be the only one. I’m not a big fan of heights. But it wasn’t that bad. The cars didn’t swing and I tried not to look down when we were at the top. It was a beautiful view so I’m glad I went.

On Monday, we (Carol, Mom, Shari and I) headed into the city alone. We ate lunch at Millennium Park and took a Trolley tour which brought us to Lincoln Park Zoo. The Zoo was really neat. It was a hot day so some of the animals weren’t out, which was a bummer but the Apes made up for it! That’s all I’m going to say about the Apes!

On Tuesday we took a Trolley ride to the Oprah Studios and Store. On the way there we stopped in Little Italy and ate at a really good Italian restaurant. Once we made it to the Oprah Store we took some pictures of her studio, which was right across the street. We weren’t able to go to a show because she doesn't tape in the summer. But we shopped and shopped in her store. It was really neat to see her store. And of course we took pictures! Once the Trolley brought us back we hopped on another tour that took us by President Barack Obama’s house in Chicago. They have police outside his house and street 24 hours a day. The only people that can drive down that street are the ones who live there. If you are going to visit someone on that street they have to notify the cops 24 hours before your visit so they can let you in. It was interesting to see. I was able to get a picture of his street and his house.

Mom, Carol and Shari on the Ferris Wheel
The view from the Ferris Wheel
Justin wanted to take a picture of me with the city in the back. I believe this was at the top of the Ferris Wheel.

Waiting in line for the river boat tour.

A view from the river boat tour.

Mom and Carol on one of our many Trolley rides.

Shari and I on the Trolley.

A view as we were riding on the Trolley.

Harpo Studio's where the Oprah Show is taped.

The Oprah Store.

This is what the street looks like that Barack's house in Chicago is on.

This is a picture of Barack's Chicago house. Its the small house in between the trees. (The red brick house).

Chicago Post 1 of 3

Sorry for the lack of updating, it’s been really nice lately so it makes it extremely hard to sit in front of the computer when I could be outside enjoying the weather. But I have some post ready come back soon to check them out.

Back in July (the 17th – 24th to be exact) I went to Chicago with my mom and two of her friends (Shari and Carol). We drove there and back. It was a blast and I was so glad they invited me to join them. I had so much fun and I’m looking forward to my next trip to Chicago. There was so much to do and so much we didn’t get to do. It was a busy week. We did so much and took so many pictures that I had to break the update into 3 posts!

Every day we took the train in from Justin’s place which took about 45 minutes. Saturday’s train ride was an experience to say the least! We didn’t take the normal train in we took the L and to make a long story short, that was the only day we took it. It was that bad!! Ask Justin!! Once we got into the city we walked down to Navy Pier and ate supper and watched the fireworks. It was really neat to see the fireworks over the lake. They have a bunch of shops so we walked through a couple of those and just relaxed. It was a lot of walking! On Sunday we did more walking. We walked to Millennium Park, Buckingham Fountain, and back to Navy Pier. We ate at a really good pizza place but of course I can’t remember the name of it. It was the best pizza I’ve ever had. We also took a tour on the river which was really interesting. We learned a lot about Chicago’s history. Here are some pictures of the first few days of our trip.

We stopped at the Wisconsin boarder and took our picture by the Wisconsin sign. Such tourists!! This is me and my mom.
This is Carol, mom and Shari.
Walking towards Navy Pier
The Ferris Wheel lit up at night. It was huge!

This was taken at Millennium Park. Shari, Carol, me and my mom.

This is a picture of the inside of the bean at Millennium Park. You'll see the actual bean picture next. It was really cool.

The bean. I'm not really sure why its there but it was really cool.

This is Millennium Park.

Another picture of Millennium Park.

Buckingham Fountain

We were walking and Mom, Justin and Carol got stuck on the other side of the street so I decided to take a picture of them!

My little baseball stud!

Jacob played baseball again this summer and really enjoyed it. He has improved a lot since last summer. His games were every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 12 - 1. I'm hoping next year he'll play at night instead of during the day. The age group that he's in they don't keep score or play 3 outs. Each kid gets to bat and run the bases (if they don't get out). Jacob really enjoys playing baseball and has become a good little ball player!

Jacob about to hit the ball.
Getting ready, playing 3rd base.

Up to bat again.

He made it to first.

Running the bases.

MaKena's fat lip

About a month ago MaKena came home from daycare looking like she lost the fight. Well, she did.................with the driveway. MaKena was so excited to see Beth come and pick up Anna that she started running towards Beth and fell face first on the driveway. The end result was this nice big fat lip. But in a matter of days it was gone and her cute little face was back to normal. Thank goodness!

Doesn't seem like it bothers her!!

Our trip to the Cities

Back in June we went to the Cities for the Redepenning Reunion at Aunt Darlene's. Unfortunately I didn't get too many pictures because I left my camera in the car. But I did manage to get a few of the kids in the car on the way there and on the way back. We had a blast. We spent the afternoon at Darlene's and played games and visited with everyone. Afterwards we headed to our hotel and took the kids swimming. We tried to get some pictures in the pool but it was too dark so they didn't turn out. Grandma Kathy is probably pretty happy they didn't turn out! It was a fun weekend!!

Jacob and MaKena watching a movie on the way to the Cities.
Being goofy!
MaKena and Emma reading books in the hotel room.

It took the kids about 10 minutes to fall asleep on the way home. They were so tired from all the fun they had!

Splish Splash!!

Here are some pictures of MaKena showing off her bathing suit and splashing around in the pool. These pictures were taking in early July and unfortunately Jacob was with his dad so he’s not in any of these pictures. MaKena loves to go swimming regardless if it’s a hot day or not. One day she was in there swimming and she was shivering but she kept going back in. I think we have another little fish on our hands!

I'm not really sure what she is doing in this picture but it was cute!
Playing with the fish in her pool that got a hole in it the same day I set it up.

She's trying to get her sunglasses on. Normally she puts them on upside down.

Swimming with her friend Anna. They live next door to us. They had a blast!

Swimming with cousin Isabel in the new pool we bought after the first one got a hole in it!

They loved the slide!

I know, I'm behind!

Hi everyone! WOW, have I been bad at blogging lately or what. Sorry for the delay in updates. It’s been a crazy July. It’s hard to believe August is right around the corner. All is good here, just busy. I do have an update and pictures I need to post but I don’t have it ready yet. I promise to get my butt in gear this weekend and add lots of pictures and updates. But for now can you please hop on over to MckMama’s blog and send her some prayers. Stellan is back in the hospital with SVT and he might be there awhile. They could really use some extra prayers right now. Just click on the adorable picture of Stellan on my sidebar and it will take you right to her site. Thanks so much. I know they appreciate all the extra prayers. I’ll be back soon with some pictures and an update. But for now this one picture will have to do!!

I took this picture on Sunday with my phone. We were at my mom's and Jacob wanted to ride the truck and give MaKena a ride. She loved it!