Chicago Trip

Last weekend we headed to Chicago for a quick trip with the boys. We had a blast!

Here's the boys in front of the train station in St. Joseph.

Here comes the Amrak train!

Brian perfectly captured Carter's expressions...he was pretty shocked by the size of the engine and loud choo choos!

All Aboard!

After an early morning train ride, taxi ride to the Hilton Hotel, we were already a bit pooped out. Time to watch a little March Madness bball and snuggle...

After naps, we headed to the hotel pool. The boys were total water rats!

Cool view from the 8th floor pool...the Sears Tower

We thought the pool would wear them out, but nope...back at the room it was nothing but wrestling and goofing off. Eventually they settled down, Sam read Carter some books and they both crashed.

The next morning we were up early and off to explore Chi-town.

Here we are crossing the Grant Park bridge on our way to the Field Museum. The weather was perfect for walking!

Whoa!

The highlight of the trip was checking out "Sue", the famous T-Rex.

Sam was completely in awe and hasn't stopped talking about it since.

The actual "Sue" skull. It weighs over 600 pounds!

Time for the 3D T-Rex movie! The boys loved it but it was a bit "scary".

Carter LOVED the dinosaur dig

The lower level of the museum had a cool hands-on play area.

Next, we planned to go to Shedd's Aquarium, but there was a 2 hour wait. No thank you! So we enjoyed the nice day and walked to the Planetarium, located right on Lake Michigan.

Here's Sam and daddy practicing moon jumping

Mini-Astronauts

After a long day of walking and exploring museums, we headed back to the train station. The boys were exhausted and pretty quiet the whole ride home.

It was an awesome weekend, full of great family memories!

We thought would for sure Sam would sleep in the next morning, but as usual he was up early begging to carve open his very own dinosaur egg.

Future palentologist?

Can't wait for our next family trip!

Have you seen...

my TEETH???

life lately

I'm sick of winter...like really really sick of winter. I need warm sunshine, Tulip Time, Silver Lake, bike rides and playing with the boys in the backyard. I have a serious case of Cabin Fever.

Luckily, February was actually a pretty busy month at work and I hosted a Premier Jewelry party at our house at the end of the month. (I did pretty good and earned $260 of FREE jewelry!!) This month I'm participating in a Weight Loss Challenge with some friends and we are going to run a 5K together in June at the end of the 12 weeks. I'm doing whatever I can to keep my mind focused and not let the winter blues get the best of me. The Challenge only started a week ago, but it's already helped me get motivated to go back to the gym and I'm more aware of mindless snacking. I'm also "trying" to control my portions at mealtime. Plus, I'm always up for anything competitive, so bring it on!

Here's how we've spent most Sat. mornings in Jan.-Feb.,

watching our little basketball obsessed boy hoop it up.

This past summer, Sam started taking an interest in b-ball and now he can't get enough of it. He loves to watch college b-ball on TV with his daddy and sat intently through an entire Hope College Women's game last weekend and asked lots of questions while cheering and chanting, "Let's Go Hope!"

Morning of Donuts with Dad

Some little 6 year old boy was so excited for his daddy to take him to school for a special morning of donuts and chocolate milk with his dad that he was up and dressed by 6:30 a.m.!! Mommy was not nearly as excited about the early wake up call.

Hi, I'm Carter Jacob (this is what I call myself).

I like to watch cartoons in "my chair"

or in "my box"

Our boys are such great brothers. Carter consistently calls Samuel, "Sammy Brudder" and they love to do everything together. Of course, they fight plenty too, but overall they adore each other. Their new favorite activity is laying in Sam's bed and reading books. This picture is from last night and they read for over an HOUR! I was able to do laundry, dishes, and grade papers all while they entertained themselves...fabulous! When I finally went in to tell them it was time for bed, Carter responded, "No mommy! Get outta here! We're weeding!"

At bedtime tonight, Sam asked if he could color for a little bit before going to sleep. We said "sure" and this is the picture he proudly created...a Thomas the Train drawing for his brother. So sweet.

This weekend we are heading to a big train show in Holland.

Our train obsessed boys are super excited!

More pics to come. (maybe) :)