Family Trip to Chicago - Day 1 & 2

Thursday we drove to Chicago. We left around noon, stopped for lunch and got in around dinner time. The kids handled the drive very well; coloring, listening to music and sleeping most of the ride. They both woke up right when we hit the outskirts of Chicago. Both of them were really excited and especially interested in all of the trains and big buildings.

After we unpacked and settled in a bit we drove to Lincoln Park for dinner and got caught in the rain. We were all soaked by the time we found the car.

Friday I had to work so Miriam took the kids to Navy Pier. They rode the Ferris wheel and went to the Children's Museum, haded back to the room for a short nap and then to the pool. When I returned from work we headed out for Chinese food. The kids got some cool chopsticks to eat with....

After dinner we walked down Michigan Avenue...

and stumbled upon a park...

Check out some more pictures from Thursday and Friday here.

Detroit Zoo

Sunday we took a trip to the zoo. The highlight of the day was the chimpanzee house. There was a whole family(including a baby) hanging out having lunch right up by the window. Some of the older chimps came over to the glass and seemed to say hello to the kids.

We also spent some time in the butterfly house where Isaac took some pictures of the butterflies.

Right before the kids and mom/dad wore out we saw the prairie dog exhibit, where the kids could go under ground and stick their heads out like the prairie dogs.

Olivia
Isaac A few more pictures.

Annie's 15th birthday Party

Saturday night we went to Annie's 15th Birthday Party. When Isaac was little he used to stay with Annie's Grandmother, Nana Maria. Annie was only 11 then and Isaac still remembers when she used to jump on the trampoline with him.

Nana Maria was really great with Isaac. She even made his bed set and Olivia's rocking chair cushions.

I took a few pictures of the kids while we were getting ready for the party.

Cardboard Park - 071909

Tonight before dinner, we went to the cardboard park. I think this was one of the first times I have seen Olivia go down on her own. She came up with a very inventive way of going down the hill....we may no longer call it the cardboard park!

Enjoy the video.

Prior visits to the cardboard park.

Chess and the Hobby Horse

Saturday morning Isaac and I woke up early and played chess so the girls could sleep in. Isaac is getting pretty good. He has the rules down (which I did not know until I was 27) and is actually starting to develop some strategy and the ability to see a move ahead at times. I imagine by the time he is 5 he will be beating me regularly.

Later in the day, on our way home from lunch we drove by a garage sale. Miriam saw a Hobby Horse, which she absolutely HAD to buy! (yes the kind everyone that grew up in the '70s had). After some hard nosed haggling we loaded it into the trunk and drove home.

The kids absolutely love it....plus it is just the perfect addition to our family room decor. The kids named it "Starfish".

There is a short video of the two kids playing on the horse and a few more pictures.

Some Summer Pictures from the week

Here are a few pictures of the kids playing together. There are a few more pictures at the link of them relaxing together too.

Also of note, the first rose to bloom in Miriam's new Rose Garden.

Planet Plasma Experiment Lab

While Olivia was taking her nap, Isaac, Miriam and I played with the Planet Plasma Experiment Lab. Stacey and Josh gave this to Isaac awhile back and last time Miriam and Isaac used it there was glitter on the walls for weeks!


As you will see from the pictures and video Isaac really likes experimenting with the plasma....and making a mess.

Watch the experiment (the video is a bit long...) and see a few more pictures.

4th of July Weekend 2009

It was a busy extended weekend. On Thursday, Miriam and the kids met her friends, Suzy and Consuelo and their kids at Domino's Farms. The kids went for a hay ride and did the petting zoo thing.

Friday morning we took the kids to Bounce U...sorry no pictures though...I was too busy bouncing myself!

Saturday was the 4th, so per tradition we headed to the Clawson Carnival, had a BBQ at the house and watched the fireworks. Unfortunately, we slept a bit late and missed the parade this year. The carnival was fun as usual. The kids played mini-golf for the first time. Isaac had 4 "hole in ones"! Olivia wanted to know why the windmill did not turn by itself. We rode some more rides, had an Elephant Ear and watched the Clawson and Troy fire departments have a water fight (see the video). This was something none of us have seen before!

Tony, Christine, Cayden and Lita came over for dinner and we had Independence Burgers and Ice Cream. Then we headed to the fireworks which did not disappoint. After every burst Olivia asked "Mores?, Mores?" This is her combination of "more" and "mas" (Spanish for "more"). Neither of them wanted the fireworks to end....but around 11 they did and we headed home.

Check out more pictures from the weekend and a video here.

Flashback:

2008 and prior years