Visiting the park - Chicagostyle

While in the Chicago area for a week, we made it down to visit Suzanne, Rob and their children Jake and Emme for a couple nights.  To Brooke's excitement, a great sprinkler ball was pulled out for the children for water to play in and laugh. 

Brooke and Jake starting to get wet.

Jake's younger sister Emme joining in the fun. Keira on the other hand didn't like it so much.

After a drying off and moving inside, they resorted to what all children love to do: play underneath the dining room table!

The next day we took a city walk.  Much different for Brooke and Keira from our suburban neighborhood walks!  Nothing like cruising up Southport with the Radio Flyer and a double stroller. (when Mom and Dad first met, Dad lived right off Southport, so they "cruised" there too, but looking for restaurants and bars, not parks!)

At the park, Suzanne helped Emme to a drink.  It was a hot hot day in the city!

For Brooke, this was certainly a different park from what she was used to back home.  Where were the woodchips and grass?

Great time in Chicago!  Thank you to Suzanne and Rob for hosting us a couple days!

Which is the real dog?

I think Sherman may have made a blog post in the past.  After being in the house for probably two years, I sometimes still mistake him for Maddie!  Couldn't pass up these shots of them laying side by side.

Happy Birthday Dad and Grandpa!

Big Birthday Wishes to Grandpa and Dad!  Grandpa turned 70 so we ventured to Cinci to celebrate his birthday.  It was a great family gathering, with Aunt Kathleen and Uncle Matt coming in as well.  With nice weather, we enjoyed lots of time on the deck.

Dinner time!

One of the two Birthday Boys!

Ah, ducks enjoying dinner out too.  Brooke and her dad feed them some bread.

Uncle Matt and Aunt Kathleen are all smiles.

Birthday Cake!

Mimi is happy to have the family together.

Playtime outside: Keira rides Mom's old Fisher Price Explorer truck, that Mom rode when she was Keira's age!  Brooke enjoyed swinging her stroller in circles and circles and circles.

Ah, joy rides on the grandparent's golf cart!  Aunt Kathleen and Mom have the same picture of us at Keira and Brooke's age on our grandparents golf cart in Sun City, AZ.

Andy, Joanna and Isaac visit!

Our good friends Andy, Joanna and Isaac visited for the weekend.  We were eager to see good friends from our many years in Chicago, and I think they are eager to fit in trips before Baby #2 shows up in a couple months!  With beautiful weather, we spent some time in the driveway letting the kids play while the parents talked.

 Brooke and Isaac goofing around...

There was track developed around the adults...I think unfortunately the silver car there became a casualty of the races, though, not severely damaged.

Isaac's wondering, "Can I beat Brooke if I "run" instead of "scoot" on this thing?"

We quickly changed Brooke out of her dress...wouldn't want her dress to get caught in the chains.

Keira started walking this weekend, after this time of practicing with her dinosaur.  I have a little bit of video from her first steps taken in our kitchen.

Great seeing Andy, Joanna and Isaac, and we look forward to meeting Baby #2!!!

Happy 4th of July 2011

The 4th of July was a warm, casual day around our house, with most of the time spent outside doing Dad's favorite project: washing the cars!  I love this shot, with Scott upfront and Brooke in the background with the hose.

Brooke worked hard on cleaning the tires...

Give a kid a hose and a plastic box and they're happy!  Brooke was busy filling up a box and floating her pool toys in the water.

Meanwhile, Keira and Maddie surveyed the word from under their sunshade tent.  I think Maddie might've been sleeping she was so content!  Look at that "smile" on her!

Brooke mastered the art of peddling her tricycle, only to be given a neighbor's two wheel bike (with training wheels) and is already zipping down the sidewalk on that!

Maddie's happy whenever the rest of the family joins her outside.

A cleaned up shot of the patriotic crew.  We're working on trying to explain to Brooke that this is America's birthday, but not sure if she gets it yet...

Happy 4th of July, America!