Illinois Summer

Here are some pictures from the rest of our trip to Illinois. After we left Chicago, we drove to Jacksonville and stayed at Doug's parent's house. We had a really good time while we were there!

Emma being silly!!

At a little water park they have in town...the kids loved it!

Karli had her 3rd birthday while we were up there. She got this little table and chair set from her grandparents.

And a bike from her Mommy and Daddy!

Getting ready to blow out the candles!

We went to Hannibal, MO one day to visit Tom Sawyer's boyhood home.

And here it is...

We stopped at a bounce house place on the way home so the kids could play. Doug got in there with Emma and played for a while!

We went out to Doug's cousin's house (Jeff and Amy) for a cookout one night. They had a pool and lots of land for the kids to play on.

Emma had fun teasing Marley!

Chicago

When we went to IL this year we decided to make a pit-stop in Chicago since I have never been there before. I have been begging Doug to take me. We flew into Chicago on Friday, July 17 and spent the night at the Westin in Downtown Chicago on the North River. We went to Navy Pier that night and then all around the city on Saturday. I know there are a lot of pictures below, but I had trouble just choosing these. We had a lot of good ones!

Here is the view of the city (part of it, anyways) on the way in from the airport

The view from Navy Pier

Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier

Here is the view from our hotel room window

On our way to the Sears Tower (nka Willis Tower)

View from the top

Doug and his Dad went out on the SkyDeck but I could only bring myself to go to the edge of it...it is SO high up!

The name had just changed that week, but they already had all the signs switched over to the new name

China Town

This was a fountain in Millenium Park...there were tons of kids playing in it. The face you see on the big brick wall was like a tv screen

I don't remember what this was called, but it was like a big bean-shaped thing!! It was actually pretty neat!

Okay, I know this is weird, but I had to take a picture of this guy. Everything he had on was shiny leather. It was hilarious. Everyone was looking at him and he didn't even seem to notice!

Chicago Here We Come

We are headed to IL tomorrow and as usual I am nervous about the flight. We found a nonstop flight to Chicago so we are going to stay there Friday night and do some sightseeing on Saturday. I have been begging Doug to take me there, so now I finally get to go!! We will head to his parents house Saturday night and then be there all next week. Pray we have a safe flight and safe travel on Saturday.

Birthday Wishes

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD AND DALE!!

We hope you both have a wonderful day today!

No Ma'am

Doug decided to clean out Emma's room the other morning while he let me sleep in a little. When I woke up, this is what I saw...

She has never had anything to do with a pacifier, but when we tried to take this one away from her, she screamed and cried...I threw it away!!

Not Happy...

Last Friday, Mom and I took Emma to the Target Portrait Studio and had some pictures taken of Emma. After waiting for a half hour past our appointment time, we were finally called in and Emma was not a happy camper. We got a couple of good ones but when it came time to switch outfits she was done and ready to go. Oh yeah, that morning (of all mornings) Emma scratched up her cheek. You can kind of see it in the close-ups. Here are some of my favorites!

You can't really tell here, but there are tears in her eyes:(

The girl had me jump in to see if we could get a good one of Emma smiling...I was not prepared to have my picture taken, but it is a sweet picture.

Emma and Lamby

And, we're done!

Happy Birthday Doug

Doug's birthday was yesterday...he turned 28! We had just a small get-together with his brother's family and my mom and Bob. Doug made his famous burgers and we had Key Lime Pie for dessert.

Emma enjoying some pie!

Opening the Holocaust book that Emma and I got him.
I didn't have any cake candles, so this is the best we could come up with...and yes, the pie just says Happy Day...we ran out of room!!