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!

Outside Fun!

A couple weeks ago Jacob was invited to a birthday party at Skateland. He was so excited to finally go to Skateland. He’d never been there before. Well after that experience he decided he wanted a pair of roller blades. So I took him out the next day to Target and picked up a pair of roller blades. He put them on as soon as we got home and off he went. Well, I guess I shouldn’t say off he went; it was more like slowly he went. But he didn’t fall and he had a blast. There are several other little boys in the neighborhood that have roller blades too so hopefully Jacob can get the hang of them and be able to go off with them. I’ve posted some pictures of him below and also some pictures of MaKena in her little car. Hope you enjoy!

Lane helping Jacob so it wouldn't fall over.
Back and forth he went. It was more of a walk than a roll!
Good thing Lane was standing there otherwise he would have ended up on his butt!
On his way back!

Jacob and MaKena eating a snack. It was a little chilly outside that's why MaKena has her winter hat on!

Big brother wanted a hug and little sister didn't want any part of it! She wanted the water bottle.

MaKena smiling in her car.

She loves this car!

Jacob and MaKena

Kisses!

Color Time

A few weeks ago, I was trying to get ready to go somewhere. I was in the bathroom and before I knew it MaKena came walking into our room with some crayons. She managed to find Jacob’s crayon box and pulled some out and was looking to color. So I pulled out a coloring book and let her go to town. Later on that day I remember that Uncle Brec and Tina had given MaKena a giant coloring book and some kid crayons and stamps for her birthday. Well, I decided it was time to pull that stuff out and see how she does with it. She loved it. Except she thinks she can eat the crayons or suck on them I guess. Jacob thought the coloring book, crayons and stamps were cool too so he got in on the fun. You’ll notice in a couple of the pictures Little Miss MaKena has some black stuff on her face. Well she decided to put the black crayon in her mouth. I’m sure they don’t taste good but she keeps doing it!

The kids having fun coloring.
Jacob coloring and MaKena scribbling!

Can you see the black stuff on her face. Yep, that's from the black crayon that she put in her mouth.

Another picture of the black crayon on her face.

She loves to color. Lets just hope it stays on the paper!