I'm Exhausted Just Remembering It...

Oh, my poor, unsuspecting family. They had no idea that I was going to run them so ragged on our first day of sight-seeing in Chicago. It has taken me this long just to sort through all of the pictures and memories, and I'm sure by now they have all forgiven me for such a crazy day. It was totally worth it!

We had to make the most of Day 1 in Chicago with Jason, because he wasn't there for Day 2. That meant any new attractions, questionable areas of town or heavy lifting all needed to be covered while Jason was with us. So we started out here-
I have been dying to check out Millennium Park since we moved here, but every time it has been too cold to wander around outside with the kids. This day the weather was perfect, and we got to enjoy the Jay Pritzker Pavilion (oh, how I would love to see a live concert there!),

the amazing Chicago landmark Cloud Gate (the "Bean"),

and the hilarious Crown Fountain (a pair of 40-foot tall fountains that spit water out at you).

Then we wandered over to Buckingham Fountain (not to be confused with the palace!)

Where Jason and I took advantage of having a photographer handy to snap our picture without the kids!

Then we (read: I) started to get a little crazy. I couldn't see the point in driving from the fountain to our next destination, so we walked along Lake Michigan to the Navy Pier. It was only 1.5 miles, but with pinchy shoes on our feet, a double stroller to push, and crazy Segway-ers to avoid, it was quite the trek.

But we got there in once piece, and we rode on the Ferris Wheel! And we got a great view of the skyline and Lake Michigan.

After a quick bite to eat, it was time to head back to the car. We chose to get there via water taxi, which provided another incredible view of the city.

(My Best Friend's Wedding, anyone?)

Jason and the kids stayed inside the taxi... I'm guessing it wasn't quite as magical for them, although I can't imagine why.
After we dropped Jason off at the train station so he could get back to his corn, Allison and I were on our own. And by the end of the second day, we were Chicago pros. $28 parking? Sure! Navigating downtown traffic? No problem! We even stayed out late enough the first night to necessitate walking down only the well-lit streets, but no one bothered us at all. Two young women pushing a double stroller in downtown Chicago was quite the sight, I'm sure. It made it easy to see why we young Mormon mothers are such an anomaly to the rest of the world.
We had dinner at the Rain Forest Cafe (a tradition!), where Adam decided to blow through the second outfit I had packed for him that day.
Desperate times call for desperate measures- the way I see it, he should just be glad I had an extra outfit for Leah. She was quite thrilled to have a baby sister for a few hours.

Then we headed over to the Hancock Tower (Big John, if you will), where we rode up 94 floors (twice- oops!) at sunset to check out the stunning views of the city.

We took all of 1 picture before Allison's camera died (mine accidentally made it's way home with Jason) and we had to buy a disposable camera to commemorate the night. I felt ancient as I gave Allison a tutorial in how to wind the camera and charge up the flash. When did I get so old? Disposable cameras used to be the coolest!

We had hoped to do a little downtown shopping that night as well, but the shops were closed and we were pooped. So back to the hotel we went- completely exhausted but thrilled by how much of the city we were able to cover in one day.... at least I was thrilled, and Allison didn't kill me, although I think at a few points I'm sure she was considering it. But we still had another day of Chicago sight-seeing ahead of us!

What's Up With Jason?

I haven't seen much of the hubs in the last month or so, but now that pollinating season is over, he is no longer required to spend 12 or more hours a day at the farm. And with the harvest still a few weeks off, we actually get to spend some time together. It's a little like adjusting to life with a retired husband, I'm guessing. I get to include him in my plans for the weekends and we even get to go out at night on occasion. But he's so helpful, strong, and even tan (a feat for this white boy!) that I certainly don't mind having him around.

Tonight we are having friends over to play games. I'm only mildly concerned about Jason's behavior. He is a mild farmer, but he's also one heck of a game Nazi. This is the guy who once was scolded by his father-in-law for giving him mother-in-law such a hard time about following the rules. And since he's the Elder's Quorum President in the ward now, I think he'd better be on his best behavior tonight.

Post-script addendum- Jason just took off with the kids, giving me glorious afternoon by myself! Oh, the possibilities of what I can accomplish! Yes, I'm definitely glad he's back!

Let Me Rephrase That...

Breakfast time conversation-

M: Leah, don't forget to go potty.

L: I will, Mom.

M: Why don't you do it right now while you're thinking about it.

pause... pause... pause...

M: Are you going to go potty?

L: You said to think about it, Mom. I'm thinking about it right now!

Reality through the eyes of a three-year old-
she's showing Mulan her toast on the webcam.

And really, who needs dress-ups when you have fancy rabbit ears like these?

Of course, Mr. Man just thinks it's all hilarious.

I don't know where these kids get their silliness from...

...no idea whatsoever.

Hey, Soul Sister

Every time I sit down to write about my sister's visit to Indiana, I get totally caught up in all the pictures and all the memories and all the fun, and I get completely overwhelmed by the idea of blogging about it all.

But it was just so darn much fun! I am going to take one day at a time and remember every fun thing we did- even if I don't post about it all.

Our trip started like this-
And Jason met us at the airport with these-
We sped to our hotel so we could eat some of this-
Which always makes me so, so happy.
Then we ran around the halls of our hotel (which looked like this)
And took silly close-up shots like this-
And then we went to bed.

There.

Day One.

Check.

Table for 6

I can totally see why the idea of a kids table is so appealing to some people.

Nevermind...

Forget the part of the day when Adam thunked Leah in the head with a flashlight (really? is hitting just part of being a boy?) or the part where he pooped the stinkiest poop right when we were walking into church (late!) or the part where he smeared grilled apricots all over the couch and carpet...


And forget about the part of the day where Leah emptied out the contents of an entire picture album (one of the two I actually had assembled) or the part where she has become obsessed with filling bags with everything within a 10 foot radius- from markers in a gift bag to blocks in a purse (it's the gathering part of her human nature, right?) leaving me with bags full of junk to sort through, or the part where she lectured me all the way home from church because I didn't make a full and complete STOP at the stop sign.


Let's just forget about all of that and instead remember that, good grief, my kids are cute.

And they love each other, and chase each other, and giggle non-stop when they are simultaneously picking their noses (much to my chagrin). They're just kids. Cute kids.

A Little Bird

with a yellow bell,
came to rest on my windowsill.

This sweet little beauty made it's way into our house this morning. Thank you, Allison! I will no longer be bellowing when dinner is ready- I'll let her do the job for me.
I have been yelling, pouting, and threatening all too much lately. (Wait, who's the 3-year old around here?) Along with the bird bell, here are a few other corners of my house that will help me stay calm.

Mr. Butler invited his mom, sister, and uncle to come help me clean Leah's room out yesterday. She just has access to too much stuff, which results in nonstop cleaning and/or stressing over messes for me.

Here are their spoils.
Leah caught me as I was hauling the last box out of her room, and she quickly discovered that something was missing. When I asked her what was gone, she looked and thought and looked some more, but couldn't come up with anything. 10 minutes later she came to me with tears in her eyes and said, "My cowboy hat! It's gone!" Not the piggy bank, beloved stuffed animals or huge box of dress-ups... just one ratty old straw hat.

Next up, the best $30 I ever spent. I can now shower in relative peace, knowing that the kids are safely locked away- forced to play with the pittance of toys I have left out for them. I'm a mean mommy, I know.

And this little beauty. Where there used to be a jumbled mess of wires and blinking modem boxes, there is now a tidy little corner of happiness on my desk. The computer stuff is all tucked away in the yellow box. Pretty sneaky, huh?

I like clean. I like calm. I also really like my kids, and I'm hoping these corners of happiness will help me enjoy both.

Utah- The Final Frontier

We spent the rest of our trip in Utah just loving life- breathing fresh air, eating good food, soaking up Grandma and Grandpa time, shopping, and visiting family and friends. I did a horrible job of documenting the trip, but that doesn't mean we had any less fun!


Fully recovered from back surgery, Grandpa played Crack the Egg with the girls on the trampoline (which Leah is fully convinced can just be shipped over to our house in Indiana for her jumping pleasure).
Staying up late, eating fudge and popcorn, and dressing up like princesses are staples at my mom's house. And don't worry, the dog's not dead- just lazy!
Auntie Sarah! The kids were too distracted to notice, but Sarah and I had a great visit together- next time we'll have to bring along the husbands, too!
Ethan and Adam- the boy cousins- loved spending "manly bonding time" together.
The age gap between Leah and Savanna seems to be closing as they get older, but the frenemy-ship is still as strong as ever!
Leah took this picture- what a great angle, no? Either way, we love Bea!

All in all, the time just went by too fast. It's a weird feeling to know that you have a life, a home, and a purpose in another state, but to have so many loved ones and memories waiting right where you left them. The only way we were able to get on the plane back to Indiana so easily was that Allison came with us. And that awesome trip will be a loooong post of it's own!

The trip within the trip within the trip

After the family reunion in Bear Lake, we headed to Idaho with my dad to visit Grandma and Grandpa Great! They recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary, and while we weren't able to attend the festivities, it was so nice getting to visit with them not long after.


Leah quickly discovered the collection of dolls- one that was her great-great-great-grandmother's, and we loved listening to Grandpa play the piano and exploring the magical Shilling House (the house my dad grew up in that has been redesigned as a reception facility by my aunt). It was a quick but wonderful visit.

Bear Lake... In 21 Words or Less

Freezing water

Tasty sand

Best friends

Exhausted baby

Pickleville Playhouse... or stretchy pants

Giant Pizza!

Knee jerk reaction

Moment of peace