Day 2 in Chicago

Yesterday was the 2nd day we were in Chicago. Dad had his big presentation so he was nervous in the morning. Once it was done then we were able to chill more and have fun. I spent the day in the hotel room just resting and enjoying the quiet.

 

We went to Gino's for dinner. The Italian Beef sandwich was too spicy

for me, but the pizza was yuuuuuummy!!!

 

And we wrote your initials on the seat bench of our table. I thought

you would have a giggle over that (butts). Hehehe

 

Then we went to see Insurgent- the movie. The theatre was AWESOME!!!! I told Dad that we needed to open a place just like it in Buckeye. :)  Family movie nights would be so cool!

 

 

The chairs were huge and comfortable

and they reclined!!!

The only problem was that my hips were too big and kept pushing the buttons to put my legs up and down. So in the middle of the movie I couldn't control my chair. Dad sure thought it was funny!

 

Then we came home and as I went to get our ice bucket filled, I had a helper come with me too.

 

 

Chicago

Well my Lovies,
We are in Chicago again. I sure do love these trips that Dad and I get to take for his work. But I sure do miss you kids!
Last year as we rode in the cab through the streets of Chicago, I had an interesting feeling. I felt like I was coming home. I can't quite explain it, but the sights and the smells and the biting cold in the air brought back a flood of memories. Scenes from my childhood. Playing in the snow, field trips, walking in the crisp air to school. I think it has something to do with being raised in the East. There are so many wonderful things from my childhood that I wish I could share with you guys. :)
I had a such a great time being a kid. And being in Chicago makes me nostalgic. If I close my eyes, I can see the snow and my brothers and sister. I can see our house on the Base where we lived at the end of a long row of houses. And I can see the shovel! :) Bwahahaha - you guys know the story well.

Today Dad and I walked down the street from our hotel to get Chipotle for lunch. I felt like a dork though. It was freezing cold and I was walking around in my capris and black flats (the crocs I always wear).
Our flight was ok. I love flying - but I hate how squashed I always am. The guy next to us wasn't a skinny guy either. Three little piggies all squeezed into a row. I felt that if one of us moved then they would "pop" right out! Like the Pilsbury containers. :)

Guess who is in bed right now!! Here is a pic:

 

Apparently he needs all the pillows and likes to lay in the middle of the bed!! I sure hope he isn't a bed hog like his MommyLiv!! :)

Well my Babies!!! Have a good night! Sleep tight! Don't let the bed bugs bite! I love you what?



 

These are some of my favorite pics from December. Nikki's family was in town and I wanted some new photos of all the kids together. I love this one because while they were waiting between shots, they all turned to each other and started laughing and goofing off. I know the photographer didn't appreciate their fun natures, but it made for some cute pics. :)

 

Electronics - need I say more?!!

 

Changes

I have been craving my old ways of journaling and scrapbooking. I have decided to take up the reins again and start blogging. Our family has changed in so many ways and I'd like to talk about those changes and who we are and what is going on for us. Facebook has become a difficult place for me to go. Often times I don't get to share my thoughts and feelings. Just a quick comment here and there. So here we go (again)! :)

This is Elizabeth making oreo truffles!

Heaven!!!!

 

I am trying to encourage the kids to learn and master things in their lives. We have always been such an electronic oriented family, which is a lot of fun; but I think it's time to teach them some skills and have them become self-taught.

 

 I am a firm believer that in this day and age, we have SO many opportunities to teach ourselves new things. And by stepping out of ourselves then we can meet amazing people who are willing to share their knowledge as well.

 

Elizabeth is our little baker! She makes such yummy treats!!! She talks about wanting to open a bakery some day. Heaven help my already large waistline.

Elijah - we are working on finding some of his interests. We all know that he loves video games, but it's fun to watch other talents emerge. He is a fun comic strip maker. I would love to have him delve into that more.

Jake is into things with wheels. He would love to open a skateboard/bike shop when he gets older. And I could really see him doing it! He is our "cool kid", but we are working on teaching him to be a different kind of "cool" than the rest of the world.

Livvy is still (and probably always will be) our animal child. She wants to learn to sew and we contacted a veterinary friend of ours to start making pet blankets. So she is excited about that! :) Hopefully we can get her in and helping in the vet shop when she gets a little older too.

 

Bret is currently working on his Masters program. I am sure that he will agree when I say that it has been a crazy ride!! One that I'm not sure I'd like to try again. Lol!

 

Me - I am what I like to call a "dabbler". I stumble across something that interests me and do what I can to learn it. Then something else comes along. It's a lazy way of learning things, and I really hope that some day something sticks. I get down on myself for not having a "thing". But I plug on with life trying the best I can.

Right now I am dabbling in resale and handmade, recycled children clothing. Wow, that's a jumbled concept. Basically, it is getting clothing for little to no cost and using it to either make something else. For example, I was able to get these CUTE little girl shirts in excellent condition. I went through all my material and matched up shirts to material that I will then make skirts or capri's out of. Another example is using cute adult tshirts to make "quick skirts".

 

I have found out that I have a bit of a quirky side! I've always considered myself a plain, Jane, stick in the mud. But I love thinking outside of the box! Today I found a fish print, men's button up shirt. I'm going to make little boy shorts out of it. It might be quirky, it might be ugly! But it is fun!

It's amazing what you learn about yourself when you try new things. That's what I want for my children - to see something new in themselves and unearth a different way of thinking!