For some must push and some must pull

This morning my boys left for pioneer trek. I got up at 6:00 a.m. to help get them out the door. Last night they put on their trek clothes and started goofing off. I told Brennan that he looked like a hill-billy-gangster!

For those who may not know, pioneer trek a reenactment of the Mormon Pioneers coming across the plains. The kids ages 14-18 go up to the mountains and are put in "families". They have a "Ma" and "Pa" to look after them and help them along. They leave all of the modern conveniences at home, so no ipods, cell phones etc. Then they push a hand cart while they hike anywhere from 12 to 16 or 17 miles a day. Oh, I almost forgot, they don't have a ton of food either, and have to cook it as families.

I know you're thinking that sounds crazy! It is a little. But it is also wonderful. I've gone once as a teen, and once as a "Ma." Both times were totally exhausting, but I came home with a much greater appreciation of what I have been blessed with.

So now it is time for my boys to go. I can hardly believe it. I am so excited, nervous and anxious for them. I know it is going to be tough. I hope it will also be wonderful for them too.

So here they all are. Ready to face the great unknown. As they pulled away in the bus, my heart hurt. I am sad that they are gone, but I wouldn't want it any other way. There is no where else I would rather them be right now. I can't wait til Saturday to see them marching along the trail, and to bring them home.

Precious Moments

This is my sweet little Brooklynn. She is the sunshine in my day. Over the weekend she got a mean mosquito bite right above her eye. Poor baby. We asked her what happened, and she smiled and said, "A buggy kissed me."

Sights in Chicago

Here is a famous restarunt that serves Chicago style pizza.

Last time we were here Will went to Uno's with some work people. He's been wanting me to try it.

So here is Uno's Pizza. That famous deep-dish Chicago pizza people rave about.

We had our own little pizza's. They tasted as good as they looked!

We stayed here at the Sutton, right off of Rush Street. There was an original house of pancakes across the street. One day we had breakfast out on the terrace. It was lovely. The little birds served as entertainment as they snitched off plates.

This is a view from a bridge over the river.

Will had some fun parties that we got to go to. One was at the House of Blues.

It was too dark to get pic's but I couldn't resist taking this picture of the bathroom. Crazy!

Enjoying the city

I had the opportunity to go see where my great-grandmother was living in 1920. I believe this is the apartment building. (I got the address off the 1920 census.) My grandma would have been 3 and a half when they lived here.


This is the street they lived on.

Will and I found this yummy shop that makes crepes and super good smoothies. Will was very impressed with the design of the shop. We talked with the owner, and told him we thought it was a fantastic little gem. It turns out he opened it just 5 weeks ago.

We ran to Cheesecake factory for dinner. Yum again. On the way home it really started to rain. I of course was wearing very slippery high healed flip flops. Practical, I know. Soon after this picture was taken, I ended up ditching the footwear, and walking barefoot down Michigan Ave. Barefoot and pregnant.

Strangest thing I've ever seen!!

Will and I are in the Windy City for a few days enjoying all that it has to offer. (Well almost all that it has to offer.) Last night we were in our hotel room, when down on the street, people erupt in all sorts of hooting and hollering. Being on the 9th floor, we were surprised to hear them. We listened for a few minutes and then Will went over to the window to see what was going on.

"Carol, there are 100's of people riding bikes down here!"

"You mean like motorcycles, or lance armstrong?"

"Like pedal bikes." He said.

So I went over and looked out the window, too.

I must have better eyesight than Will, cuz the next thing out of my mouth was....

"Hey that guy's naked!!" "That girl's not wearing anything!"

"No," said Will "there is no way!"

Well, as I've said before, you can find out anything on the internet, (except if you are having a boy or girl) so I hopped on and googled Chicago, June 12, bike ride. What do ya know. It was Chicago's 9th annual ride naked event. Boy am I thankful we were on the ninth floor and not the first!!

Brooklynn's first time.

This week we went to Lagoon for the first time with Brooklynn. We got some discount tickets, and took the family. It was fun to see Brooklynn experience all of the excitement and adventure.

It was also fun to see how all of her big brothers and sisters reacted to her excitement. I think that was the best part.




We are totally enjoying the non-crazy summer we are having. It is nice not to have to run around like chickens with our heads cut off. As soon as it warms up I will get pictures of the kids with in the pool. They have gone a few times, but with wetsuits on!

Graduation

McKinley had her 6th grade graduation last week. It was very nice, and I think she had a lot of fun with her friends. She can hardly wait for Jr. High School.