Shark slide

Mom and I took Kyle, Emily & Isaac over to Birchwood for a morning of swimming! The pool sure has changed since I went there growing up. I guess a few summers ago, they tore up everything and turned the 2 pools - one giant one for everyone plus a diving area and one baby pool - into 3 pools and a splash area. It is pretty amazing! The baby pool area is great! Kyle & Emily had a blast going down the shark slide while Isaac splashed around with Grandma. They were both a little skeptical of the shark slide at first, but Emily, being the leader that she is, went down first and never looked back. Then about 20 minutes later, Kyle worked up his courage and must have gone down it about a million times! They just LOVED it!!

Happy Birthday Grandma!!

Today was Grandma's birthday! We were so happy to be here for her birthday celebration! Grandma worked today so we (me, Kyle, Emily, Jeff, GT & Isaac) brought over some Potbellies sandwiches to picnic in the lounge with her and Aunt Kimmy. Yum!! And then this afternoon we went and saw the Budweiser Clydesdales together (see previous post). And then tonight everyone came over for delicious Lou Malnati's deep dish pizza. Chicago pizza sure is the best! And what birthday would be complete without (cup)cakes? We had those too!! Kyle and Emily were so excited to help Grandma blow out her candles! Happy birthday Grandma!

Helping blow out the candles

Grandma, how old are you?

Birthday hugs

Birthday kisses

I love "chlocolate" cupcakes!

See?! Mmmmmm!

Clydesdales in Palatine

Today the Budweiser Clydesdales came through Palatine. Seemed like the entire town was out to see them! They were quite the site! Emily and Kyle had a great time. Isaac slept right through it.

Emily with a great view from Grandma's shoulders.

She liked the Dalmatian too!

Bye bye horsies!

Cousins

Kyle and Emily loved holding their cousin, Isaac, today. They are loving being around him and amusing him. Just wait a few years and it's going to be even more fun!!

Kyle even had Miko give Isaac kisses. That's love!!

Emily only has 8 pounds on Isaac!

Kyle & Emily: This is awesome!! Isaac: Uhhhh... oh my!!

Tire swing

Kyle & Emily discovered the next door neighbors tire swing. They saw it from the window yesterday and HAD to swing on it today when they got outside. And did they LOVE it!!! We need a yard and a tree at home to put one up for the kids.

Swinging cousins

Today, Emily, Kyle and Isaac went to the park! The 3 of them had a great time swinging together!

Jam session

Kyle got some guitar lessons from Uncle GT this week. Then they had a little jam session while Isaac had a good time dancing in the exersaucer.

Navy Pier and comfy sleepers

Before heading off to Ohio, we took the kids to Navy Pier to wear them out a bit before sitting in the car for several hours. It was certainly a fun way to spend the morning and wear the kids out some.

Kyle lines up his putt

Emily measuring her putt

On the carousel

Emily loving the carousel as usual

The ultimate in comfort. Kyle with a queen sized bed all to himself. He made the bed look like a king size bed.

Emily cashed out, looking very comfy on a giant roll away bed.

My Dad's boyhood house

On our way home from Ohio, we stopped in Indiana at the house where my Dad grew up. We don't know who lives there now, but the front yard was still nice and big and largely unchanged, except that the grape vines and balance beam (or the pole around the garden that we used as a balance beam) were no longer there.

The front yard.

From the alley

Happy 3 years home Kyle!

Three years ago today, Kyle came home from the hospital! Happy 3 years at home Kyle!!

Emily's babies

Emily received her first baby stroller as a birthday gift and does she love it!! It's even a twin stroller to hold her boy / girl twin babies!!