Owie is all better

Emily was showing us that her owie on her finger was all better.  We couldn't help but to take a picture. 

Heading home

On the way home from Chicago, I made my first trip outnumbered by the kids.  We have always traveled together, the four of us.  But work called for Jeff to head to a client site and catch up with us back in San Diego.  So off we went.  As we passed through security, a guard pulls me aside and whispers to me that there is a playground in Terminal 2 that is a short walk away.  Sweet!!  In the morning before leaving Grandma's house, we had a great "something fun" - playing in the leaves and riding the scooter with Grandma.  But I wasn't about to turn down a second "something fun" for the kids since they were about to have to sit in confined space for the next 4 hours.  Off to the playground we went! 

Kyle with his Miko neck pillow and all of his Mikos buckled in with him - well except for Big Miko who had to ride in the suitcase with Meow-Meow.  Funny story about that - we have read Koko's Kitten which Kyle and Emily LOVED.  Anyhow, when I told Kyle that Big Miko was too big to carry with him and had to ride in the suitcase, Emily volunteered her kitty to ride in the suitcase too to keep Big Miko company, just like Koko and his kitten, All Ball.  

Kyle passed out on my lap.  Emily was passed out on my lap on the other side, but I couldn't get a good angle for a picture that would show anything. 

It was a successful flight for the three of us.  The stars were aligned for us.  Toy Story 3 was the movie so they watched a little bit of that while eating their lunch I had packed, we went potty about a million times (at least 4 times - thankfully we were a whole row ourselves), and then took a nap for at least an hour with them both laying on my lap - it was quite a site to see.  And then we were landing.  Kyle wasn't too happy when we landed because he would have liked to sleep a bit longer, but  if we had to have a meltdown, I'll take one after we are on the ground and getting off the plane and  getting home is super quick. 

Fall fun in the leaves and on a scooter

As I mentioned previously, the kids are loving the fall in Chicago.  And stomping around in the leaves, is so much fun!!

Nothing like running through the leaves!

And the kid's Great-Grandpa, my mom's dad, fixed up a scooter we had as kids.  Well older kids, probably at least 10 years old.  But that doesn't deter a 4 year old!  Kyle & Emily were both eager to take it for a spin.  Kyle had no problem figuring it out as he is quite the bike rider and gets the balance thing. Emily had some fun on it, but preferred to be held and pushed around on it. 

Emily and Grandma

Emily rides

And Kyle rides

Grandma time!

Pre-wedding pedicure

Emily and her Great-Grandma (my Mom's mom)

Emily, Ryan and Ike with Grandma giving her front sidewalk some artwork

The neighbor's tire swing. Even in cool weather and sundown, the kids LOVE it!

And what fall in Chicago would be complete without a trip to Goebberts?

Emily and Kyle had a great time with Grandma on the camel ride.  It may not be quite the same ride that Karen and Pete took in Morocco, but for Hoffman Estates, it sure isn't bad!

Uncle Motz

Before leaving Chicago, we visited Papa's house to return his car.  We were bummed that we didn't get to see Papa and Kari who were out of town, we did get to visit with Gloria and Uncle Motz. The kids had a good time playing with Mozart and giving him nice pets. 

Tommy & Colleen's wedding weekend

What a fun time in Chicago for Tommy & Colleen's wedding. Lots of family and lots of fun!

**I hope to add more pictures to this as I get more pictures from others.  Please send!**

Emily, Kyle & Ryan intently watching Cars

Kimmy, Kristin & I with our old neighbor, Mrs. Nixon at the wedding

Sisters with Mrs. Nixon

GT & David

Emily getting her hair done by Aunt Karen

Emily holding baby Evan

Emily cute and ready for the rehearsal dinner

Emily & Kyle with Mr. & Mrs. Nixon at the rehearsal dinner

Emily & Kyle with Mrs. Nixon

Kyle and Miko playing with Olivia

Kinsch's Fall Fest

Friday morning, Kristin, Kimmy and I took the kids over to the fall festival at Kinsch's.  What kid doesn't have fun with carnival games and a bounce house slide?! 

Ike's first bounce house slide.  You can't really see it here, but he was not too happy about his ride.  Maybe next year.  But Ike still had a great time with the other play area and games. 

That's a pile of Kyle, Emily & Ryan at the bottom of the slide. They LOVED it!

Morton Bar-burrito

Fall in Chicago is beautiful! Kyle and Emily were loving all the colors of the trees. As we drove to Morton Arboretum (or Morton Bar-buritto as Kyle pronounced it), they were in awe of the trees and all the colors they had turned.  I never knew a 4 year old could appreciate such beauty.

And Morton Arboretum didn't disappoint.  Not only was it gorgeous, they had a whole, HUGE kid section to explore. 

The view from the treehouse atop the bush maze.

Look at the HUGE leaf Mommy! And I love the leaves actively falling around them.

Here was their conversation leading up to this video taken from the little cabin pictured above: 
Let's sit here and talk to each other
What should we talk about?
Let's talk about monkeys...

Are you surprised Kyle suggested they talk about monkeys?!

Dinner at ORD

Guess where we went? Surprise, surprise, it was Chicago! We landed in the evening and the kids needed to eat dinner. So what better place to eat your peanut butter and jelly than at the baggage claim sitting on your upside down car seat!

Zoo day

Today we went to the zoo with Dax, Kyle & Emily's best friend.  When they get together, they all have so much fun.  The energy level is so high, but they are so happy to be together.  This is a rare photo of the 3 of them sitting down.  Of course, we were at the gondola ride so you can't really stand up or move around too much. 

And the boys wearing mom's sunglasses

Go Dr. Spike!!

Dr. Spike is biking the California Coast from the border of Oregon to the border of Mexico!!  Follow her travels here! She is currently somewhere between San Francisco and Santa Barbara. 

And just in case she got lost, Emily drew her a map!

Kyle also drew her a picture of Miko.  Can't leave home without your map of your Miko!