Chicago - Day 1

So I realize that this next series of posts, describing in excruciating detail, our amazing, beautiful, off-the-charts trip to Chicago, will probably not be all that interesting to anyone but us. But I am self-indulgently going to recount all the details for my own sake so that I will never be tempted to forget this wonderful week. So feel free to tune out if you find this oh so boring!

Justin had yet another blessed conference last month. This time in Chicago. So, for the second time this year, we left all our kiddos in the care of beloved grandma (this time the Wilkinson one) and we headed out to the Midwest. Words cannot describe the fun I had on this trip. I think Justin had a really good time too and learned a lot of useful things in his meetings. I just think it might have been a different kind of fun than I had :) Before we left I bought the GoChicago card and this ended up being the best decision ever. It included pretty much every thing you could see or do in Chicago. And I did every single thing I could physically cram into each day. It saved a ton of money, not only on admission and ticket prices, but also because I didn't spend a lot of free time shopping on the Magnificent Mile. Just a little . . . I had to go into the 5 story Crate and Barrel and the 8 story Nordstorms, that would be a tragedy to miss. Our hotel was right on the Magnificent Mile, which was perfect because I could walk almost every place I went. I put in a lot of miles that week but then I could enjoy the deep dish pizza even more at the end of the day. And we had sunny beautiful weather EVERY DAY. It was a miracle. Okay, so . . . Day 1.

We started out the trip with this view of Mt. Hood. Oh, how I love my Oregon!

First thing I did on our first day was go to the top of the John Hancock building, directly across the street from our hotel. It is really tall! This is the view from the top.

Chicago's Gold Coast

Since I was sightseeing by myself, I had to ask a lot of strangers to take my picture!

The beautiful Wrigley Building, on of my favorites! Did you know that Wrigley started out selling baking soda and would give a pack of gum to anyone that bought some. He realized that everyone was buying it for the gum and decided that he should just start selling gum. Good move, eh?

My picture reflected in "the Bean" sculpture in Millenium Park.

I spent most of the first day at the Art Institute of Chicago. Amazing art museum! One of the highlights for sure. Lots of famous art (like this sculpture by some dude named Picasso:) and amazing views of the city.

These "Thorne Rooms" were one of my favorite exhibits. This is an actual miniature room behind the glass and all those paintings and chandeliers are real, but tiny. There were 68 rooms like this. The girls would have loved this part!

Lake Michigan

Starting out on a Shoreline Cruise out on Lake Michigan.

Navy Pier (obviously)

That night Justin and I stopped by the American Girl store. That place is crazy! It's huge, complete with a doll salon, restaurant, doll hospital and 2 floors with every doll and accessory you could want. We had to get a picture by the Lanie doll. Looked more like me when I had blonde hair.

That night we ate at Gino's East Pizzeria for some Chicago style deep dish. It was great. There was a lot of cheese. I don't know that either of us felt that great after, but the "during" was yummy.

Happy Halloween from Hogwarts!

Oh, Halloween was so fun this year! As the girls are obsessed with all things Harry Potter, they have known for months what they wanted to be. Davis didn't have much say in the matter but as soon as he learned that all he had to do was put on his glasses and tie and yell Trick or Treat at the top of his lungs at the door and people would give him candy, he was all over it. He even went so far and to start rifling through the bowls and informing the person handing out the candy that he "needed something chocolate". Seriously, at every door! But at least he always followed it up with a big "THANK YOU" as he ran from the door. We had a blast! Hope all your Halloweens wonderful!

Davis as Harry Potter, Abby as Hermoine, and Emma as Ginny Weasley.

The Cake

Davis turned 2 last week! I can't believe it, my baby boy! He had a great birthday, lots of trucks, cars and trains. Just what makes a little boy happy. He also loved his Lightning McQueen cake (or "Lyda King" as Davis says it).

Happy Birthday "Big Funny Guy"

Reflections

I laid, or lied, or lay (which is it dad?) awake in bed last night for hours listening to my baby boy itching his chicken-poxy back against the crib, trying to find some relief. Not crying, just itching. It gave me a lot of time to think. I have mentioned it a lot on this blog and numerous times daily to Justin, just how much joy this baby (almost 2 on Monday) boy has brought into my life. I feel, of course, the same about the girls. They are a little older now, and while they still need me, it's not the same. Davis still slips his warm, chubby hand in mine every few minutes. He still likes me to cradle him every night and sing him his favorite songs (Teach Me to Walk in the Light and "The Truck Song" - made up by me and maybe the worst song ever, but he loves it). He still sucks his two middle fingers when he's tired or sad. He still starts shaking with excitement every time he sees daddy pull in the driveway from work. He still melts my heart every time he takes my face in his hands and kisses me on the lips. These are things the girls don't do any more and I know that these moments are fleeting with Davis. I want to hold them tight and not let them go. I want to bottle it all and not forget a moment. I want my Heavenly Father to know how grateful I am for these little spirits that light up my home and my life and make me who I want to be. I want them to know that I may not be a perfect mom, but I love them with a love that I never knew was possible!

That Explains A Lot . . .

For months I've been wondering why in the world Davis was always running out of socks when I knew he had plenty. It all came to light the other day when Emma went to grab something for me under the crib. When she pulled it out away from the wall, she found this . . .

Evergreen Aviation Museum

These pictures are from Memorial Day. A little outdated, I know. But I wanted to post about it because we had such a fabulous time here. We met our dear friends the McFarlanes (we love you guys) and it was a GREAT museum! So, the Spruce Goose is here - yep, it's beyond huge. They also had the first ever commercial airplane and tons of other aviation and space "stuff" (for lack of a better word).

Emma posing by the war planes.

Checking out the interior of the war helicopter.

That orange and yellow plane was my favorite, how cute is that!

The kids rode this ride seriously about 25 times in a row.

My cute family! Notice Davis' smile (see previous post)

This is the best picture of the Spruce Goose that I have. It's so big that you can't get it all in the picture - at least with our camera. This is just the one wing, the body of the plane and the other wing are behind me. Davis kept saying, "Huge a-mean (airplane)" over and over for about a month. He was really impressed!

All in all, it was a great day. I really recommend it for anyone in the area. It also has a great playground that the kids enjoyed almost as much as the planes.

Say Cheese!

This is Davis. He will be 2 in a few weeks. He loves cars and trucks and trains and Little Einsteins. He also has a perfectly normal, adorable smile. Until the camera comes out. When it does, this is what happens . . . . every time!

A Real Live Date!

A few weeks ago Justin and I went on a fantastic date. Perfect actually. Our wonderful brother and sister-in-law took our 3 kiddos overnight and we went out. We stayed out late, didn't worry about getting home to relieve the babysitter, we ate at an amazing restaurant (if you are ever in the Portland area, you must go), but we did not sleep in the next morning. Reason being that my genius husband had the genius idea to set the alarm for 5:30 a.m. so that on the one day that we weren't waking up to a 1 year old yelling, "Come mommy, I'm poopy!" from his crib, we could drive to Mt. Hood and go for an early morning hike. Actually, it was genius. It was beyond beautiful, we hiked 7 miles at adult speed, and we got to talk and talk and it was perfect. Here's the proof.

Just a few tidbits

First, I would like to say that my husband, that's right people, my husband met this guy last night. Okay, well, they didn't exactly meet. But Justin did go to a talk he was giving at OHSU (the hospital where Justin works). Justin walked in late with a few other residents and Dwight, I mean Rainn Wilson, heckled them a bit, made fun of their white coats or something like that. Doesn't really matter, Justin got heckled by Dwight Shrute. And Dwight is pretty funny!

Next item is: Um, has anyone tried the green chile bagels from Costco? The Kirkland/Noah's Bagels brand. Yeah, they are really good. Toasted with a little butter. Made my morning.

Next up: my girls started school yesterday and I cried a bit walking home. I know it's schmaltzy but I miss them and their little brother misses them more. Here's an example of our whole day-long conversation. (Aside from the 4 hour nap he took - bless this child!)

Davis: Hey Mom, where AbbyEmma go?

Me: They're at school.

Davis: Oh, I go to Abby class right now, K?

Me: We can't Davis.

Davis: Oh, but where AbbyEmma, mom?

Me: School.

Davis: Oh (pause 2 seconds) Why mom?

Me: They have to go to school.

Davis: Oh, I go to school now K?

(Repeat 756 times)

Last item of business for the day:

I just got done reading this book 25 times to my little man. Did I mention I miss the girls?

Ft. Lauderdale

So, apparently I still have a lot of catching up to do with my blogging. These pictures are from May. Better late than never!

Justin had a conference in Ft. Lauderdale in May and I tagged along . . . just me . . . no kids . . . did you hear that people! Justin, me, no kids, Florida, sun, beach, pool . . . wow, it was amazing. It was the first time in a LOOOONG time we have taken a vacation together. Okay, so Justin did have to go to conference every day but it still was a major vacation for me and we still found plenty of time for fun. Thank you again and again infinity to Grandma and Grandpa T for taking care of the littles while we were gone. Our kids had so much fun with you that I don't think they even wanted us back!

This is the beach right outside the door from our hotel. Um . . . I spent a lot of time here while Justin sat in his conference.

Out to dinner with some of Justin's co-residents and his program director.

We rented a scooter one night and cruised up the shore for a few hours. It was really really beautiful. The guy we rented it from was so surprised when we asked for helmets. I don't know if anyone had ever asked for them before. Justin's treated way too many head injuries in the hospital . . . wear your helmets people! Especially when you're on a scooter that maxes out at 30 mph.

On our last day we rented a car with one of Justin's co-residents and her husband and drove down "the keys". We stopped at Key Largo and went snorkeling. So much fun and the drive down there was stunning.

Post snorkeling feast - such a good meal!

I am so glad that Justin and I can still have such a great time together. We just laughed and laughed. We missed the little ones but it was so nice to be together alone for a whole week! Thanks for the great time babe!

Are you kiddin' Me?

Where, oh where have these been all my life! Must be eaten directly out of the freezer. And yes, they will ruin your dinner. Maybe for 3 days in a row . . .