Wisconsin!

We got up early on Wednesday morning (after staying at Matt's in Chicago) and were off to Wisconsin! We stayed with Kyle's mom and step dad the first couple nights and then we headed to his dad and Roberta's new house for the last couple nights. It was so good to see everyone and the weather was perfect! Unfortunately, I didn't take many pictures while we were there, and I don't have any of Brett with his grandparents! Yes, I am a slacker. I was just enjoying relaxing too much, I guess :-) Kyle had scheduled some client meetings on Thursday, so Brett and I spent the day with Mary (his mom).  Brett's favorite part of that day was playing in the sand at the lake near their house. It was too cool to go swimming, but Brett sure had fun with all the wet sand, sticks, and rocks he found! Later that day we did some browsing/shopping at a neat little farm store, bought flowers, and got ice cream. And of course, the day wouldn't be complete without a bonfire that night! Next time I promise to take pictures!

We mostly just hung out outside at John and Roberta's and ate tons of food! Roberta sure does love to bake...yum! We also caught up with Kyle's aunt's and uncle, brother Casey, and his fiance Jess. We took Brett putt putting (or "Mini Golfing" as they call it in Wisconsin) one afternoon which he loved. I really wish I had brought my camera for that outing! And would you believe it was the same place that Kyle used to play at 30 years ago? Crazy! 

Brett loved playing on the train across the street from John and Roberta's house! The same train that Kyle played on when he was a kid!

Choo Choo!

Brett spent lots of time playing in the dirt with all the trucks!

I absolutely LOVE their outdoor gazebo...and Brett did too :-)

Food and trucks. What more could a boy ask for?

Brett and Roberta enjoying some Rhubarb muffins together :-)

We had such a great time in Wisconsin, and as always, wish we could see everyone more often! 

Fun in Chicago and Wisconsin (Part 1)!

A couple weeks ago we ventured to Wisconsin to see Kyle's family. And, as we often do, we stopped in Chicago for a day and night to explore and see my brother. Now that Brett is older, he really looks forward to our family trips and he was beyond excited to go to the big city and see his favorite uncle :-) He loves looking up at the tall buildings,watching the buses and trains, and just being a part of all the commotion a big city has to offer.

Matt was still working when we got there so we decided to check out Navy Pier before heading to his place. It was a HOT day (temps near 90 degrees! Something we weren't planning for as you can tell by our long pants!). We enjoyed walking around the pier to stretch our legs while watching all the boats in the water. 

There was even a boat run by Pirates! Brett thought it was pretty cool :-)

We found this cool atrium to cool off in filled with lush trees and little ponds. I love this picture of me, Brett, and baby (14 weeks and popping out!) :-)

Next we went to the Children's Museum to explore! There was lots to do and Brett had fun...but at one point he proclaimed "I think this museum is for toddlers, not big boys like me" :-) 

The water room was his favorite part! He could've stayed there all day!

 Kyle and Brett later dug for dinosaur bones..

went fishing,

and caught minnows!

The circus room was fun too! Look at my strong little muscle man!

 After all that walking around and playing, it was time for my favorite part.....ICE CREAM!!!

We had a great afternoon exploring Navy Pier but Kyle and I both agreed that we got our dose and don't need to go back for awhile! After the pier we drove to Matt's and spent the evening hanging out on his patio, eating yummy food, and playing with Legos :-) It was a great end to a a great day!

Howard Street Boat Race 2014

 A couple weeks ago we had our first Howard Street Boat Race! The rules were that each child was to make their own boat using things from nature. Brett was pretty excited about this challenge and helped Kyle come up with the "blueprint" for his boat. I thought it came out really well, and Brett was very proud :-)

The kids all met at our house before the launch to show off their boats and pose for pictures :-) As you can see, Jack's was the biggest and Brett's was the smallest.

Carolyn joined in for this picture - her boat was hand carved and everything (Carolyn sure is a talented 5 year old....or her dad)!

Leo and Hazel had been out of town all week and had just gotten back...so they quickly tied some sticks together so they could be part of the fun :-) We assumed their boat wouldn't make it very far...but it not only finished, it came in second place!

After pictures, it was time to venture to Vet's park where the creek is to launch our boats! The kids were so excited!!

And they're off!

Jack and Carolyn's boats started out up front but soon got stuck on muck and rocks...

During the "rescues", Brett's took off! 

We quickly crossed the street and chased it down the river so we could watch it cross the finish line near North Creek Elementary..... for.....drum roll.... FIRST PLACE! Go Brett!

 Here Brett is checking out his boat after Kyle braved the cold water to retrieve it :-)

Then it was time to watch out for the other boats! Leo and Hazels came in 2nd and Carolyn and Norah's came in 3rd.....and to this day Jack's remains "lost at sea".

It was a great afternoon with our wonderful neighbors and we already can't wait to do it again!

The Little Engine That Could

Tuesday night Brett's preschool put on a Music and Art Show at the church in town for all the parents to come see. Brett was too nervous to participate last year, but not this year...this year he was ready to go! Unfortunately, Kyle was out of town for work so he had to miss it, but I took tons of pictures for him to see when he gets home :-) 

Hammin' it up for the camera before we left :-)

I made sure to get there early so I could have seat right up front. Brett waited patiently for the rest of his class to arrive and liked pointing out his friends as they arrived :-)

Then, promptly at 6pm, the show began! I worried that once the performance started, and Brett saw how many people were in the audience, he might get nervous and forget the words or hand motions...but nope! He sang the whole time! 

Love these close-ups of my handsome boy!

After the musical, we braved the huge crowd to find Brett's artwork. He was so proud and so was I!

Since Brett was a performer that evening, I told him the rest of the night was all his to do whatever he wanted :-) He chose to play with his new lego toy (his surprise when he got home for being so brave) and watch a Curious George movie. While we were laying in his bed talking, I asked him what his favorite part of the day was (completely expecting him to say his new toy!) and he turned to me with his big blue eyes and blurted out "being in the musical"! He also told me that he missed his daddy being there but "it's okay because we can tell him all about it, right?!" His sweetness just melts my heart! Then tonight he told me that he wants to be in a musical again :-) Yep, I think his first performance was definitely a success and I couldn't be prouder of our amazing little boy!

Snow Mountain at North Creek!

Every afternoon Brett and I head to North Creek Elementary to pick up Brynara, a little girl I watch after school. He looks forward to this every day, especially now that the snow has accumulated so much so that there is a huge mountain of snow to climb on! Thank goodness for this snow pile because it helps to get the extra energy out of him before the end of the day!

All Smiles!

Making the climb to the TOP.

"I can see everything from here, mom!"

And his favorite part? Sliding back down!!

I may be way over winter, but I sure do love the joy these snow filled days bring to my sweet little boy!