Chicago Weekend

Jeff and I joined two of my aunts, Susan and Patty, and two of my cousins, Krista and Zach, for a fun weekend in Chicago July 25, 26 and 27th.  We drove up Friday afternoon.  My cousin, Erin, and her husband, Jeff, joined us on Saturday.  It was our first weekend away from all three kiddos.  A huge thanks to my mom and dad for keeping the boys.  Jeff and I had a blast! 

We arrived in Chicago and went to the #1 rated Chicago pizza place, Lou Mainati's Pizzera.  It lived up to the hype and worth the 1-hour wait.  

Our attempt at a group selfie. 

Having the waitress take it turned out much better! :) 

Yes, we were wearing jackets.  It was chilly...in July!  

After dinner, we were off to visit the Michael Jordan statue.  Jeff had never seen it before.  

We were getting texts from Aunt Sandy from Tyler's t-ball game of the boys so we sent them back a photo of us.  We were on the train into Chicago and killing some time anyway. :) 

We did a lot of walking around Chicago.  

A group shot at Cloud Gate, aka "the bean." 

After visiting the bean it was off to brunch.  

I don't normally document my food but we ate very well over the weekend.  It was also nice to be able to eat with two hands and not feed someone off my plate.  This huge skillet was very tasty AND it came with the pancakes and berries!  Yum!  Good thing we walked a lot because I ate a whole lot of this meal!  

We eventually made our way to Wrigleyville.  We wanted to take it all in and grab some drinks.  

The whole crew!  

Zach, Susan, Jeff, Patty, me, Krista, Erin and Jeff W. 

Harry Carey's statue 

A 100 year old ball park is pretty impressive!  

This lovely post prevented me from seeing the pitcher most of the game. 

Cards win 6-3!  

Proof that Jeff and Erin were on the trip with us.  

After the game, we ate again.  Then Susan, Patty, Zach and Krista caught the train back to the hotel and we decided to go with Jeff and Erin.  We wanted to explore Chicago more so we headed down to Navy Pier.  We enjoyed riding the Navy Pier Ferris Wheel so we could see the city at night from 15 stories high! 

Our view from the ferris wheel!  

After the ferris wheel ride we grabbed some margaritas to go from Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville.  We enjoyed them on our walk back to Millennium Park to watch the fireworks that are shot off the Pier.  It was a great night!  

The next morning we went up the John Hancock building.  The 94-story view was nice.  It made the ferris wheel seem REALLY small.  

Navy Pier in in the center of this photo.  

Nice looking city from up high. 

I sure do love spending quality time with this guy.  

 We didn't intend on wearing coordinating Under Armor apparel.   

A bit of walking/shopping along Michigan Avenue before we headed for home. 

Jeff joined right in with a walking tour to learn some fun facts about Chicago.  

In Millennium Park, there are two of these 50 foot glass block towers that project video images of Chicagoans.  The mouths open every 7 minutes (I think I remember that number correctly from what Jeff picked up from the passing walking tour) and spit water into the shallow pools below.  They are meant to represent gargoyles to protect the city.  They were very interesting.  

Finally we headed from home.  It was a quick weekend getaway but so much fun!  And the we got to see a Cards victory vs the Cubs!  We were able to pack so much lighter than usual without the kids.  We saw this vehicle on the way home and had two thoughts 1) we are glad we have a Suburban and 2) this is what our family vacations may look like in a few years (even with the Suburban)!  Ha! :) 

It sure was nice to get away but it was really great to get home to our boys!  

Field Trip Friday: Purina Farms

Aunt Patty joined the boys and I on July 18 for a fun Friday field trip to Purina Farms.  

Tractors! 

Checking out the animals. 

These two are really good buddies most of the time.  It is adorable how much Nathan looks up to Tyler and wants to do everything he does.  

Tyler and Nathan both milked the cow.  Tyler was too fast. I totally missed getting any photos. :( 

#momfail 

Nathan has no fear!   

After the cow milking it was on to the dog show.  

Grant enjoyed a quick snooze.  

He appropriately wore his "Woof" shirt (that was already dirty by 11am). 

Checking out the dogs with Aunt Patty!   

A photo with one of the STL 250 birthday cakes.  We really should have made a better effort to see more of these this summer.  It would have been a fun task.  I talked to a mom behind us that had 4 boys and they had been to 85 of the cakes!  #supermom

It is a fun place to visit that is close to home.  You can see our past visits here, here and here. 

VBS: Workshop of Wonders

Our church held our Vacation Bible School (VBS), Workshop of Wonders, back in July.  It was so much fun!  Tyler and Nathan both attended this year.  They recommended kids be ages 3-10, but since I was volunteering as the Craft Leader I signed Nathan up too.  He is almost 2.5 but he looks like a 3 year old.  No one said a thing!  :) 

Nathan was excited to have an orange soda during the picnic on the first night!  

He wanted to sit by Tyler but not totally follow directions.  He was suppose to sit on the rug.  Little stinker sat just in between them.  #stubborn

Proof Nathan did finally sit on the run and even paid attention! 

Tyler and Nathan loved parachute time during games each evening.  

The wonder words for night 2 were "Build with God" so during game time the kids got to build various towers.  Knocking down the towers may have been more fun than the building...I am not sure they made the connection.

Tyler and Owen had to work together to build their tower.  

They each took turns knocking down towers too.  

GG led the music again this year.  

Parachute game time.  

Such a little ham! :) 

Tyler and Owen (has the headband on).  They were good buddies during VBS.  

Nathan buddied up to Aunt J while the older kids practices singing.  

The VBS kids!

Daddy and Grant came up to church to watch the big performance!

Grant danced his way through the songs. 

And chewed on his fingers.  Daddy and Grant had a lot of bonding during VBS week as we would jet out of the house quickly after dinner (by 5:30) and not return home until after 8pm.  

Warning;  I took a lot of photos during the performance.   

So serious! 

Nathan was right behind GG telling someone what to do...

Nathan made this face several times.  I wasn't sure if he didn't know the words or motions or was just overwhelmed! 

Tyler on the other hand knew every word, every motion and still does.  The boys often ask to sing the songs in the car since we have the VBS cd.  

I am pretty sure there wasn't a motion that included putting your finger in your ear. 

Tyler not missing a beat! 

Uhhh..what? 

Finally they stood next to each other!   

Nathan decided to just take a seat in the middle of the performance. 

Enjoy this video of part of one of the songs.  Nathan actually sings a bit before jumping off the step and Grant gets in on the action with his own rendition.  Jeff and I giggle throughout the performance.  :) 

Here is the table of what the kids were suppose to learn each session.  

Session	Bible Blueprint	Vision Verse	Wonder Words
	The Story of Esther (Book of Esther)	Sing to God; sing praises to the Lord; dwell on all his wondrous works! Psalm 105:2, CEB	Imagine with God!
	Rebuilding the Lord's House (Ezra 3:8-13)	"We are the clay, and you are the potter. All of us are the work of your hand." Isaiah 64:8b, CEB	Build with God!
	Parable of the Mustard Seed (Mt. 13:1-2, 31-32)	"Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 3:18, CEB	Grow with God!
	Feeding the 5,000 (John 6:1-13)	Jesus replied, "My Father is still working, and I am working too." John 5:17, CEB	Work with God!
	Walking to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-32)	"How beautiful are the feet of those who announce the good news." Romans 10:15b, CEB	Walk with God!

I love that Tyler and Nathan loved VBS and get excited to go to church!  

You can see last years VBS blog here.