Tuesday, August 14, 2012

 We had our family reunion here in town this year.  One day we traveled to an inland lake, another day we went to a museum downtown, but most of the time we spent time at my parent's pool.   It was a  super fun time catching up with everyone and seeing the cousins together!
 Then we celebrated our 5th Family Day.   I took the kids out for doughnuts and the park.  Magnolia's neighbor and friend, Bryn, came over with a gift and they played together.  It was such a beautiful evening that we chose a restaurant where we could sit outside.  We gave Magnolia an agate bracelet we bought in China.  Next we took them to our local toy shop were they picked out some candy.  Then we went to our nearby mall and took our photos in a photo booth. They played there and we all went home satisfied with a very happy day!



 This past weekend George convinced asked me to go to the Wisconsin State Fair.  It is something I would never jump at the chance to do but oh my word, it was SO much fun!  Just seeing the kids scream and jump with excitement was enough for me.  They loved it, how could I not?

Here we are just arriving, the kids are besides themselves with excitement.







 They went on every ride without any fear.  We are definitely ready for Disney World!
 My favorite was seeing the animals.  
 We loved this big cow and talked to her owner.  He was showing her that night.
 Of course our Hot Dog Eating Champ needed a hot dog for lunch.  Magnolia and I shared cheese fries.
Here we are having the famous Wisconsin Cream Puff.   They were delicious, so much better than we imagined!

 On a roll of having lots of fun, we decided to go into Chicago the next morning.  We arrived close to lunch time so we decided to eat at Rick Bayless' little churro cafe next to his restaurant.
It was closed but just beyond it we noticed the Chicago Fire Department with firefighters standing outside.  We walked over and they told us to come on in and walk around.  Just as we were rounding the back of one of the fire engines, we heard a call.  I couldn't believe what we were going to witness!  Everything we read and sing about, everything fire station!  We rushed to the side of the station and watched two fire trucks take off, sirens blaring, lights flashing.  
 I looked down at George and he was in complete and utter shock.  Mouth wide open, eyes huge, and jumping up and down, no words escaping his mouth.  He was in complete disbelief.  Dream come true for this little guy and we weren't sure how we were going to beat that for the rest of the day!
 Our goal was to see Millennium Park.  Here they are at the bean.  All morning I was trying to explain that we were going to see a huge bean.  Not a green bean but like a bean in their soup.  When they saw it they said, "like a jelly bean!"  Of course.  Why didn't I think of that.  :)
 Here's a family portrait in the reflection of the bean.


 It is such an amazing piece of art.  I just love how to see how everyone interacts with it.
 There was a wonderful tent for children.
 Nani, you would have loved this!  They had HUGE containers filled with Citi blocs and people of all ages sat together and built and built and built.

 It was not intentional for these two to coordinate on this day.  Both kids came out of their rooms at the same time dressed for the day.  Georgie very proudly dressed himself.  Shirt inside out and backwards.  We didn't mention it and it stayed like that all day.  I have to say how nice it was to have them coordinate, it was so easy to keep track of them!





The kids are so much fun to travel with these days.  We had such a great time!  We are going to make it a monthly routine to head into the big city for a day.

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