School Rocks.

I just realized that my kids all have their eyes closed in these pictures! I suppose if you make them stare into the sun, that's what happens! First day went well. Not too much info from either boy. In true Noah fashion he told me he has a new friend and his name is "e-mail". Also in true Noah fashion he was quite adamant that he couldn't possibly have gotten his name wrong. This has the same 'stink' as the Owen/Arwin incident of 2007. Upon looking at his class list he actually made a new friend named, "Emmanuel". Maybe E-mail can be his rapper name...Jackson said he thought the incoming 5th graders in his class were "exceptionally small this year. More so than ususal." Spoken like a true 6th grader. Miss Lily found her backpack I THOUGHT I had sufficiently hidden in her closet and announced she was ready for school today. I told her she had to wait a little longer (2 weeks!). She listened carefully and filled her sweet little eyes with tears. It would have been easier if she had a screaming fit. But, no, she had to rip my heart out. She then suggested we should be 'helpers' in the boys classes today. She's really trying!

Rockin' The Pink Guitar, Princess-Style.

Well, today has proved to be an interesting day...and is not over yet. I took the kids on some errands this afternoon. So, we're in Michael's and Noah decides to hop onto the back of my cart all of a sudden and flips that puppy completely upside down. Right there in the middle of the scrapbooking aisle. I've never seen such a thing. We all stood in stunned silence. Noah stands up and dusts himself off and says, "Wow. I had no idea I could do that." All 3 kids look at Mom to judge her reaction. At the time I was so mad I didn't trust myself to open my mouth. The silence pretty much said it all. They were perfect angels the rest of the afternoon. I think I can laugh about it now. I think.

Noah is the newest member of the Michael Phelps Phanclub. He hoists himself up on the edge of the couch, takes his shirt off, does some of windmill stretching, adjusts his goggles and 'dives' in. Did you know you can swim on carpet? Noah makes it look easy.

Our Trip To Chicago (I really hope you like to look at pictures of my kids...)

Here is an epic pictorial of our trip to Chicago. We had an absolute blast. We wanna go back. The kids here are contemplated life as they look into the mesmerizing waterfall and are feeling remorseful for their behavior on the 3 hour car trip...

Noah said, "It's a dream come true..." and that was just driving the block around the stadium. One of these days he's gonna ask us to shell out the 60 bucks for a ticket....

Lily is looking up to see just how high the Hancock Building is....

Noah is checking it out too....
We sent Lily outside to wash the windows. Hey, no free trips in this family....
Some people just don't know how to act in public...I can't take him anywhere....
Me and the kids in front of Shedd Aquarium. That man behind me REALLY loves his fish. I think my stepdad Don would hug his fish if he could...

handsome kid....I wish he would let me take his picture more often...

checking out fish...

Let's quickly sum up the aquarium. NASTY....

Um... Nasty....
Funknasty....
... and lips so wonderful I would have kissed him again and again if I thought I wouldn't be arrested and thrown out on my ear. Ok, maybe not. But he did have very nice lips....
We went to Medieval Times. In case you don't know its a medieval show and dinner, sans silverware, with sword fighting and horses and medieval what-not. It was a little cheesy, but the boys loved it. The lady next to me cheated and brought plastic silverware in her purse. Cheater!!

It's nice to be able to laugh at yourself...
This is the knight we were assigned to cheer for. Quite honestly, he stunk. He was the first one who got out. A sword to the gut. What he lacked in medieval skill and knowlege he made up for with his rugged good looks. In fact, even in his final seconds of breath, not a hair on his head was out of place. Sigh.
He's so blinded by his good looks that he had to blink when I took his picture... Good times. Good times.

Joe and the boys went to the new LEGO discovery center. It was a sucess. We are all LEGO lovers in our house, even though I manage to break every delicate creation I touch. It's genetic. I wasn't allowed to go the LEGO discovery center. I was banished to IKEA across the street. I suffered. Not.

Joe and I are 99.9999% sure a dude made this LEGO lady. Have you ever seen such a thing? I can't believe she's upright!
Here we are the Science and Industry museum... these pictures are eerily just like my sisters vacation pictures!!!! :)

The fact that my son is standing in confusion staring at his dad kind of gives it away that Joe wasn't REALLY on the moon. Otherwise I'm sure you would have been fooled...
TOO. MUCH. WALKING.
The look on her face says it all. I'm not sure which one is cuter, Lily or little chick...
The End (finally.)

Just A Few Weeks To Go!!

Here's a picture of my sisters-in -law, mother-in-law and myself at Jeannie's baby shower a few weeks ago. Just a few more weeks and we'll have a new nephew. We are so excited. Seeing her brought back so many happy memories. She looks so beautiful and I could remember the excitement and scariness of it all. It's such an amazing thing to go through. Truly a miracle.

Here's the belly in all its glory. (She's probably going to kill me for not only taking this picture, but posting it as well!) There is nothing more beautiful than a pregnant belly! Now we just hurry up and wait...

Here is my lovely artwork by the infamous Shadley Grimes. I never thought I could love squares as much as I do. It looks really great in our new family room.

Here is a few pics from their adoption party. It was a great night! Good food, conversation, art and a great cause. We can't wait to meet you Baby Grimes!

Rachel caught me trying to take a 'Beautiful Feet' picture so she posed....that one is for you, Em!
I miss my Bible Study girls!!!