Trees update...

I was going to show you all our tree limbs last week, but got busy getting ready for vacation, so I thought I would show you today the HUGE pile we have accumulated...we even had some more limbs fall while we were in Chicago...The pile is about as tall as Chris and is just as long as our Expedition!!! Amazing what a storm or two will do, huh???

Navy Pier & Day 4 pics

here are the rest of our vacation pics!!!

VACATION

Hello:) We are back...for all of you who don't know, we took an extended weekend and went to Chicago to visit my brother & sister in law...we had an awesome adventure...Of course, what adventure doesn't start off a little rocky though...hmmm...well ours did...We were getting things ready on Wednesday evening to head out early on Thursday morning, when low and behold, Ashley falls down when trying to walk up to our sunken living room area...she hit her chin and moved both of her bottom teeth, there was LOTS of blood and it was really scary, so we took her to the ER...THREE hours later, there is nothing you can do about it...they say since it is her baby teeth there are no roots or anything and they are still pretty solid in there, the worst that could happen is that they will die and turn colors and either fall out or need to be pulled...Pretty horrible way to start out, especially the 3 hour wait...turns out no one ever paged the doctor!!!!!!!!!!! very awful...so anyway, we didn't let that stop us from having a fun adventure...She is doing just fine now, it doesn't look very pretty, but she doesn't seem to be bothered by them and eats just find so, hopefully we got lucky!!! we still got going early on Thursday morning and had a very nice drive...

When we arrived, Andrew was home from work already, so we decided to get in a little swimming before Lisa was home from work, we swam and swam, and then got ready for going out for Famous stuffed pizza...WOW was this AWESOME!!! well worth it, it was sooooo yummy:) We got to have our first train ride there and the boys LOVED it and then on the way back we rode the bus, again LOVED it:) By the time we were done eating it was time to head back for Andrew & Lisa's to crash, what a long day:)

Day 2...Friday

We woke up and got ready on Friday to go and see the Lincoln Park Zoo & Millenium Park...The zoo was great, the weather was awesome and the kids and adults loved it...we saw sealions, monkeys, lions & tigers & bears (oh my)...we made a great morning of it...then we went to Millenium Park where they have these statues of faces that let out water for the kids to play in...We grabbed a chicago hot dot in between stops and then let the kids hang out in the water for a few mintues...they got SOAKED!!! but it was really fun...then we headed back for a NAP:) Andrew & Lisa took Chris & I out on the town on Friday night...Lisa's mom Linda is living in Chicago for the summer so she came over and watched the kids while we went to have a good time...we went to Finn McCool's for wings and beer, and then headed over to Howl at the Moon, a very cool piano bar where they sing & play the piano all night...very very fun!!! the kids had a very good time with Linda too, it was a great night for everyone:)

Day 3....Saturday

Chicago Cubs day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! On this day, we had tickets to see the Cubs vs the Florida Marlins:) GO CUBS!!!!!!!!!!!!! Linda offered to watch Ashley again while we were at the game, which was great! she had one on one time with Linda for the morning and then Lisa and Linda in the afternoon and Andrew, Chris & I had the boys at the game...we had a really great time...too bad the Cubs couldn't pull out the win...they even went into extra innings...the final was 3-2 in 12 innings!!! The boys were tuckered and slept from like inning 4 to 8 or so...we got souveniors from the gift shop...new hats for daddy and boys and shirts for us all...what a fun fun day at Wrigley Field... That night, we were sooooo tired from the whole day, that we just stayed in and made burgers for supper and popped popcorn...the kids fell asleep and the adults played Playstation for a while until we were tuckered out too!!!

Day 4....Sunday

We started out the day with some play time at a school playground that is close to Andrew & Lisa's...the kids had a great time playing...Then we walked to the Market:) very cool area, where they have everything for cheap!!! I got a purse, more hats and some grapes, plus cool Cars blankets for the boys and a princess blanket for Ashley...we had a fun adventure there...then right by the market is a little diner that was featured on The Food Network's Diners, Drive-ins, & Dives...we stopped in for lunch...it was really yummy...then it was back for naps!!! when we were all awake we decided to head out to Navy Pier...what a very cool place to see...the boys LOVED it, all the boats and water and everything, it was very very fun...on our way home we were going to stop at an Italian place for supper, but they were closed already, so we just headed back to Andrew & Lisa's for homemade spaghetti!!! what a great idea...the kids devoured it!!!!!!!!! and then they had ice cream sandwiches too!!! what a fun fun treat:) then baths and bed...we packed up our stuff and started loading up and then went to bed ourselves...our vacation was coming to an end:( very sad....but all good things must come to an end!!! I have really good pics of this day, but I am getting pretty tired and need to head off to bed here, so I will get more on here hopefully tomorrow...check back for an update with navy pier pictures:)


Day 5...Monday

Today we woke up in the morning, got dressed and finished loading the car, and gave Andrew & Lisa kisses, they had to be off to work, and we had to head on home...:( we were sad to leave, we had sooooo much fun...we cannot wait for our next visit!!! Our ride home was pretty uneventful...naps & being restless (but only like the last hour or so!!!) So, it was a great trip...Tomorrow, back to reality!!! Sorry there are soooo many pics, but it isn't everyday that you get to take vacation...hope you enjoy them all!!! Now it is just time to gear up for Ms. Ashley's 1st birthday and her party:)


THANK YOU ANDREW & LISA FOR A GREAT TIME!!!!!!!!!! WE LOVE YOU:)

Happy Anniversary!

Well, today is our 6 year anniversary...seems like yesterday that it was that hot steamy day that we got married...sounds like we are probably going to repeat that weather again today!!! Anyway, six years, 3 kids and one very happy couple!!! I love you tons, Honey...Happy Anniversary:) Many many many more to come!!!

Stormy Night

Tonight, there was a pretty big thunderstorm that passed through the city...it had high winds and really heavy rain...during the storm we had quite a few branches come down on our front yard...a small one is hanging from our power line...They are on their way to come fix it (THAT WAS A COUPLE HOURS AGO, BUT YEAH THEY ARE ON THEIR WAY!!!) At least we haven't lost our power, as you can see it hasn't taken the line down just is dangling there waiting to electracute somebody:) Also there is a major limb down that was in the street, but Chris moved it out of the way, so now we just will have to cut her up and burn her in our fire pit!!! But aside from all that, we are all well, the kids are sleeping and I am on my way too...

As a side bar...Congrats to my cousin Chris and his new wife Melanie...they got married today in Des Moines:) I hope they had a great day and will enjoy married life!!!

Neighborhood fun

We are so lucky to have such great neighbors who have kids....tonight we were all out in our backyards and the side neighbors were running through the sprinklers so they offered the boys & Ashley & our back neighbor girl Delaney to come over for some fun!!! We had a blast...the side neighbor kids are a little older, Kaelynn is 8 and Nathan is 5, but Delaney just turned 2 so she is right up our alley...no matter the age, everyone had a ton of fun!!! Here are some fun pics:)

busy busy

HI:) We had visitors for the weekend...Grandpa & Grandma Schrunk came to spend some time with the kids this weekend, as well as to help with the basement again!!! We had a great time hanging out on Saturday, just relaxing and playing...Chris and his dad got some more stuff done on the ceiling so the basement is moving along!!! YEAH:)

We were sad to miss Ms. Ellie's birthday party on Saturday night, the boys & Ash would have loved to play with their cousins and to helped her celebrate...it looks like she had a great time from the looks of their blog...anyway, we just want to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELLIE!!! We love ya lots:) check out her good time by going to their blog... here is their web address....
http://www.lansinkfamily3104.blogspot.com

Then on Sunday, Grandma & Grandpa Schrunk went home...and Grandpa & Grandma Lansink came up to play for the afternoon....Can't get enough of Grandpa's & Grandma's around this house!!!! We had a fun afternoon playing in the new pool:) The kids LOVE it...it was tons of fun:) Thanks to both sets of Grandparents for coming and playing, our kids sure our lucky to have you to come and visit!!! LOVE YA:)

Happy 4th of July!!

Wow, where has the time gone...I can't believe it has already been the 4th of July...this summer is just FLYING by!!! Anyway...we didn't do too much this 4th, just goofed around the city, ate at the Olive Garden for lunch, took naps and then did some steaks on the grill for supper...it was pretty yummy:)
On Saturday, they kids and I took part in a neighborhood parade...it was lots of fun, and we had such nice weather...we got dressed in our red white and blue and went up and down the street with all the other neighborhood kids:) lots of fun had by all!!!
Today, we did a whole bunch of nothing!!!! haha:) Actually our cousins were in the area this weekend so they stopped to play this morning for a little while and then we ate lunch, took naps, went grocery shopping, and then we stuck in out in the basement for a while because there were tornadoes spotted in the area!!!! Luckily nothing hit our house, just a lot of heavy rain...

So here are our weekend pics...some from the Olive Garden, one from the parade and one from us weathering the storm!!!!

Our Weekend

Hello:) Thought I would update you all with some new pictures...On Saturday we went to see Chris' sister Kelly & her husband Wes who live in Des Moines...Grandpa & Grandma were at their house too..We had lots of fun playing all day and had a nice quiet ride home because they were all sleeping!!!!! I didn't get any pics because it was last minute decision to go and I forgot my camera!!!!! I'll remember next time:)

On Sunday, Chris went golfing in the afternoon, so the kids and I goofed around the house after naps and played...we got out our new Bubble guns that Grandma Teresa got us and blew bubbles until Dad got home!!! it was lots of fun:) Ashley loved chasing the bubbles and the boys happily made a lot for her to chase!!! Then it was baths and bedtime for everyone!!!!

Last night, Chris had to head to Cedar Rapids to stay with his sister & her family so he could have a checkup today on his eyes....he says he is seeing better so that is great news...we are hoping for a clean bill of health:) he will be home this evening...so the kids and I decided to take a wagon ride to Mc Donald's to get some ICE CREAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! yummy!!!!!!!!!!!!! the boys & Ashley all love it, as do I, so it was a great treat....plus I didn't feel guilty about eating it because I wakled it all off by the time I got home...at least that is what I am telling myself~:)

so here are some bubble pics and some ice cream pics for your enjoyment:)