Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Roadtrip stop #3-Chicago

After a tearful goodbye in Green Bay, we continued on our journey to Chicago for a brief stay.  Once again, the weather turned sour but it didn't dampen our plans (too much.)  We even braved a down pour to get gelato!  By this time, I think I lost my picture-taking mojo so there aren't too many.


Doctor-playing buddies

Enjoying the view


Jeff next to 'Shit Fountain'

Now that's a jump!

Ummm, not loving Dora

Nora got pregnant...hope I don't hear that for a loooong time.
Andy and Clare invited us to their beautiful Oak Park home for lunch.  The Eli, Charlie and Nora had a blast!
Scootering speed demons

Another birthday cake!


There were hugs, hand holding, so cute!  I love how quickly kids make friends.

2:00 Monday afternoon we left Chicago, Denver bound.  We got sidetracked for 30 min or so when Ellis got car sick in Omaha (be glad there are no photos) but other than that, it was a smooth trip home.  5:00am we pulled up to the house with a dirty car, lots of laundry and some great memories!

So that concludes our 12 day vacation!  2600+ miles and very little screaming in the car! Hopefully some day we'll have the time and energy to do it again.

Monday, June 24, 2013

Roadtrip stop #2-Green Bay

On Tuesday we packed into the car again, bound for Green Bay.  Nora was so sad to leave Croix, but promises of Nanny and Papa helped calm her down.

Nora reading to Nanny and Papa instead of the other way around!
This is the first time we've been in Green Bay during the summertime (boy it is better than winter!) in several years.  I couldn't wait to take the kids to Bay Beach, knowing how unique of a place it is and just knowing they'd love it!  It was so fun we went twice, in three days...I mean, where else can $15 buy so many smiles and so much fun for kids of all ages, including my Grandma!
The first ride she wasn't so sure of, but things quickly turned around. 





Can you believe Nora wanted to ride the Ferris wheel??  And she liked it!

He's a very intense driver...






Grandma loved watching the kids!



Everyone can ride the train!

Once we talked her into going, we couldn't get Nora off the slide!


We did do other things besides go to Bay Beach.

I think it's stinky feet syndrome


Yes, that is the dog's pool

Just another morning eating yogurt.

What a princess!
We spent time with my grandma and Jeff's grandma, though they have more fun with the kids than with us!
Four generations





Riding the goose at Grandma Irene's
We had a little family gathering, complete with kids, singing and birthday cake-just what Nora wanted!  The bubble machine was working overtime!







Can you believe Nora is four already?

Nora and Gavin

Nora and Gavin ~3 months old:)
The last night we had a bond fire; Nora and Jeff couldn't have been more excited!





Such a fun trip!  Again, we saw lots of family and made the most of our time there before packing up the car (again) for Chicago.