Chicago

When we went up to IL for my brother's wedding, we stayed in Chicago for two nights to do touristy things with the kids.  Normally, we fly into O'Hare then head right to my parents.  I've hardly been into Chicago and I thought it'd be fun as a family. We did have a little bit of fun, but also lots of complaining, some crying, a "hangry" kid, and tired of walking.  They didn't love the city like I do and was hoping they would.   Here are some pictures from the good times we had.

Wednesday when we flew it, it was raining, so we just hung out at the hotel and swam.  That evening, we met up with the Hales for pizza at Lou Malnati's.  It was delicious!

Molly's friend, Brilee

Thursday morning we headed to the Museum of Science & Industry.  We enjoyed it!  There was lots to look at and we did to tours-the U 505 submarine and a Coal Mine tour.  Both were great and educational.

 

Inside the U 505 sub.  It was very interesting and just neat.  This is the real German sub that shot down several Allied ships.  We finally captured it.  This is walking through it.

This is where the missiles were stored.  They even had people sleeping back there with it. 

This was down in the coal mine

After the museum, we had lunch at Epic Burger, then walked over to Millennium Park.  We walked down Michigan Ave. through the city...I loved it.  I thought the kids would think all the tall buildings were so cool, but they weren't too impressed.  Oh well.

The burger was Epic!

Michigan Ave.

 

 

After the "bean" we went into Millennium park and to the Maggie Daley playground.  The kids really liked it.  It was so cool to be in a park and be surrounded by the city too.  Then you could look over the left and see Lake Michigan. 

Next, we walked down Lake Shore Dr. to Navy Pier.  The kids stopped for ice cream there with Scott while I walked the Pier by myself.  If not by myself, one of my children would have been thrown into Lake Michigan.

The view of the city from Navy Pier

That was all for Thursday.  Friday morning we went on a tour of Wrigley Field.  It was pretty interesting and we were able to go places you normally are not allowed.

 

 

View from the press box

Scott walking through the press box

The guest team locker room

 

Sitting in the Cubs dugout

On Wrigley Field

Afterwards we bought a few things in the gift shop, then went to lunch and for dessert we went to Molly's Cupcakes.  

 

 

 From here we headed to Belvidere for Tom's wedding!

Tom & Brittney's Wedding

Last weekend we were IL for my brother, Tom and Brittney's wedding.  Our trip was very busy, but wonderful and fun. We flew in on Wednesday and stayed in Chicago thru Friday afternoon, then headed to Belvidere for the wedding.  Chicago pictures will be coming soon.

It was a gorgeous day for the wedding.  The weather was fabulous, the venue was picture perfect, and Tom and Brittney were the cutest couple.  Molly and Bailey were adorable flower girls.  They got their hair done with all the other girls and even got a little make up put on.  They loved that! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now for picture of the wedding itself and bridal party.

Zac pulled Brittney's nephew down in the wagon. 

The adorable flower girls

Brittney had told the owners it was OK to let the animals roam.  I don't know if she though the pig would actually come out during the wedding

The first kiss as husband and wife

They took this picture right after the kiss.  I love it! The sunglasses say Bride, Groom, Bridesmaid, and Groomsman

The bridal party

First dance as a couple

The happy couple

I love this picture of the mother-son dance

My Dad and Tom

The girls had these cute navy shorts that they could wear after the wedding.  Posing with their new Aunt.

Dancing with Uncle Tom

Now I just have family pictures.

 

 

 

These cousins absolutely love each other!   My kids haven't seen them in 5 months and you wouldn't even know it.  They see each other and immediately start playing.  They played nonstop on Friday at the rehearsal and Saturday before and after the wedding.  The get along and just have fun.  I love that!

Great picture of my parents.  My mom and I picked out her dress when was here in April.

This is my Grandma with her grandchildren that were at the wedding.

Once again, it was a fabulous wedding!  We are so happy for Tom and Brittney!

Austin

This past Saturday we went to Austin.  We met Brett, Carman, and the kids out for lunch and a walk down by Barton Springs.  Vienne was cutie and Braedon is so much bigger.  He was looking all around and even babbling. 

 

 

 

After that, Scott, Tyler and I went to our hotel to relax before the I Heart Country Festival began.  That was the reason we went to Austin. 

This is us waiting for the concert to start.  It was an amazing concert.  There were 10 artists there-Old Dominion, Jake Owen, Little Big Town, Lady Antebellum, Kip Moore, Brantley Gilbert, Kelsea Ballerini, Darius Rucker, Dierks Bently, and Jason Aldean.  The stage is circular, so why one artists is performing, they're getting the other side ready for the next artist.  There was not more than 3 min between each artist.  They performed from 7:00-11:30.  It was great!!

Sunday morning, we met up with Scott's friend, Stuart, who he grew up with in Shreveport.  No picture, but we had a delicious breakfast and a nice time catching up with him. 

Tomorrow we leave for IL.  We're spending Wed-Friday morning in Chicago doing touristy things with the kids.  Friday afternoon we'll head to Belvidere for my brother's wedding.  We can't wait!

Zoo Field Trip

Last Thursday Molly's class went to the zoo for their field trip.  I went with and we had a good time.  The weather was great, warm and sunny, but not too hot.  We had 4 girls in our group. 

 

 

 

 

Only 4 more weeks left of school!!