The big kids trip

Lew and I decided to take a short vacation without the kids to the "Second City" Chicago.  Lew had been before for conferences and I had only had the pleasure of visiting O'Hare airport.  You might be wondering where did we stash those kids while we were gone? Well, they had a very long overdue vacation with "red" Grandma, Lewis' mom.  Much love and kisses to you red Grandma!!

We walked and walked and walked some more.  It's probably a good thing because it helped with all the calories we consumed. This little picture is from the Hancock Building.  I actually had to get out of there in sort of a panic because I could start to feel the dizziness coming on.  Lew thought I was crazy but I got wooozy being up there! I will say one of the highlights of beign up there was checking out all the roof top gardens on the buildings.  We love to see green space no matter where!

We randomly came across Pizzeria Uno but had to stop...so yummy!

We also made an afternoon at the Art Institute of Chicago, so of my favorite pieces

And of course the rare but actually on display, man on Blackberry statue

We were really looking forward to some hot dogs so we found Portillos, it may look gross but it was so yummy.  I love hot dogs so it was hard to choose but chili dogs.  The place was packed so it seems that everyone knows how good it is.

Another great place we ate was the Billy Goat Tavern of the famed SNL skit with jon belushi.  We actually went there twice it was so good and reasonable.

As far as I am concerned this was the best part of the trip.  It was almost a spiritual experience to go to Wrigley Field, the smile didn't fade off my face and I was in complete awe of the spirit in there.  In a word it was awesome.  We actually planned the timing of our trip to see the Braves play there.  I was not embarressed or scared to wear my cap...I may love Wrigley field but I'm a pretty loyal Braves fan.  Lew caved and bought a Cubbies hat, but I couldn't blame him, once you're there you want to be in their "club" of excitement.  They didn't care if they won or lost, you are just in the club.  It's not just a stadium but a neighborhood.  FYI of the three game series we saw the only Cubs win, poor bravies looked like my high school softball team with all the errors.  I think it was meant to be though because the memory of the place erupting when they won was amazing.  I have a special place in my heart for the "Go Cubs Go" song.

There are plenty more pictures to post but I thought I would break it up, so I will attempt to get more up within the week.

First day of Pre K

I walked her into class, took her backpack, put it away and when I turned to say goodbye she was gone, already in a circle of friends.  I took it as a good thing and didn't barge in for a hug (although I wanted to).

Next year when we hit actual kindergarten, I'm sure the water works will be going full force.  Until then, it was just a cool send off to her first day of pre-k
Yes Chicago pictures are coming, but it's only of me and Lew, so I'm sure it's not as interesting!

We made a little road trip up to Statesboro because all the stars were aligning and I wanted to give Elizabeth one last chance to soak up Kyle before he starts his big adventure in Detroit, MI teaching.  She does just absolutely love him and I think the connection stems from the naps she took on him as an infant.

 

Miss Anna Kate was having a grand time being indulged with every little wish and desire and at one point demanded the stroller get put on couch with her.

I put this under the reasons why I need to visit more often.  Home made sweet rolls.  Seriously, Elizabeth even put syrup on top of them.

Elizabeth of course is well trained in frog checking.  She loves going with Uncle Jim every morning on the frog check, letting free the little guys that get stuck in the skimmer over night.  Cause a dead frog ain't pretty to get out.

Again, reasons to visit more often, El Sombrero, The Hat...best Mexican food ever and ultra cheap.

Even Kate is happy.  I'm smiling behind the camera because Aunt Cindy and Uncle Jim took the girls to Chick Fil A for lunch, leaving Kate and I to dine in pure silence (aside from our conversation)...priceless.

Ok, so the things that make me laugh in Statesboro.  These are Christmas lights already selling in Hobby Lobby.

These are just disturbing and make me thing of Ace Ventura in a room of death.

I assume they belong to him

It is amazing to me that now Elizabeth is so old that she now scales the slide all by herself

and Anna Kate is now getting rides down the slide, courtesy of Kate

Much love to my Randall family and thank you for having us stay with you, it's really like coming home.

Run, Lizzy, Run

xoxo

Chillin at the Beach

I can't believe how quickly we have flown through July.  It seems like every single weekend something has been happening so the below pictures are actually from last weekend and now I will be caught up because we did nothing, zip, zero, jack this weekend.. 

Last weekend my adoptive Georgia family came down for a visit which is just my favorite thing in the world to have them with me.  Sadly I didn't take any pictures the first two days, only the last while we hung by the pool.

There is no love like Mama Randall's love and Anna Kate knows this

One of my favorite pictures ever of Cam and Anna Claire

Actually these two never take a bad picture but I just love them so much.

And Elizabeth has a good time because she gets special attention from Kate, Claire and Cam.  Anything that involves her being flung, flipped or flopped into water she is all about.

Anna Kate went through a phase of not really eating for a day or so and then went nuts on this chocolate donut at the pool.  She couldn't get it in fast enough.

That's my girl just chillin in the corner of the pool