10 Year Anniversary in Chicago!

Not a flattering picture of me, but we didn't take many pictures in Chicago...

Our 10 year Anniversary hit this year on the day we drove to the beach, so Dennis and I decided we would hold off buying gifts and celebrating until we could celebrate good in Chicago in July.  We were thrilled that my parents offered to drive to Indy and watch the kids so we could get away.  We know that with 3 (soon to be 4 kids) a week long vacation is years away, so we were thrilled to be able to get away even for a weekend to celebrate.

My parents arrived on Wed. July 25th in the evening.  Thursday we took Grammy to the Children's Museum and then we all went to dinner for burgers at Bubs.  Dennis decided to try the burger challenge for the first time.  Which is a huge burger.  He actually asked them how many calories it was...who asks that???  They wouldn't say, so he chose the Elk burger to cut a ton of calories.  He succeeded easily and gets to have his picture on the wall.  After that we walked over for frozen yogurt and then once the kids were in bed we played Catan.

Friday morning after dropping Logan off at Daycare we left for our 3 hour drive to Chicago.  We had a great time eating lots of yummy food, walking a ton and seeing some museums.  Friday we made our first stop at pizza restaurant to get some Chicago deep dish pizza.  I am still partial to thin crust italian pizza, but it was delicious!  Then we walked to the Art Institute Museum.  It was very neat, but a little over our heads.  After walking back to the hotel (we were very sore by this point) to freshen up, we then went to a nice Italian dinner at a little outside seating bistro and then went to the Navy Pier and saw a Cirque type of show that was amazing.  Dennis also gave me my gift, a beautiful watch that I am very excited about.  I am getting him a poker table for our basement, so hopefully he enjoys that as much as I am enjoying the watch..

Saturday, after a yummy breakfast we went to the Museum of Science and Industry, which was very very cool.  I think the boys would have liked it as they had a lot of stuff for kids.  Dennis and I kept saying that it would be a fun trip to take the whole family to someday.  We randomly found a restaurant for lunch and it ended up being our favorite meal of the trip.  It was a small plates type of place and we had the most amazing bone marrow appetizer (I know sounds weird but I read it was highly recommended) and salads (we ate light because it was already later in the afternoon).  It was definitely unique food but full of flavor and we will definitely be back there if we go to Chicago again!  After that we did a little shopping and then cleaned up for dinner.  Dinner was at a nice gourmet restaurant.  We definitely ate well this trip!  We then went to a Comedy club in the Old Town area which was a lot of fun.

It was a great trip and we hope to go back the next time we can get away for a weekend (whenever that will be).

While we were away...My parents said the boys were great.  Evan especially got 5 stars my Mom said.  He was very sweet to Logan and played great with him.  My parents took them to a water park one day and to our pool the next.  It was a successful weekend for them too.

Ready, Set, Grill.

We have been looking forward to having a patio put in since we moved to this house a year ago.  So, this week the patio was put in and Dennis and I took the first opportunity we could to dust off the grill from the garage and cook out.  It is so nice to be able to grill again.

This weekend our neighbors had us over for dinner and for the kids to play with their water slide.  We are loving these impromptu dinners with neighbors.  It is nice to have neighbor friends here.  Now that our patio is in, we are way overdue in inviting people to our house for dinner.  So, hopefully we can host soon.

Friday night we also went to an outdoor concert that was a ton of fun.  We brought picnic dinners and there was some activities for kids, but mostly we just sat and listened to the music with friends.  The boys got their faces painted, which they were thrilled about...

This week was also a doctors appointment for me.  So far everything is looking good.  Baby had a good heartbeat (158) and that is about all that happened at the appointment.

Tuesday night I went out with the ladies to a chick flick movie and Thursday Dennis and our neighbor went to the midnight showing of the new Batman movie.   And that was our week.

Nags Head Beach 2012

This year we broke up the long drive to Nags Head by staying with friends in Richmond overnight.  Despite a bad storm and loosing power midway through our card game, we had a nice time with them and it was definitely easier than staying in a hotel room with 3 little kids.  And, since the nausea with this pregnancy still hasn't gone away, I was so ready to get out of the car by the time we got to Richmond.

Friday June 29th, was also our 10 year wedding Anniversary.  Since the beach trip fell on the same day as our anniversary, we have made plans to celebrate in Chicago end of July.  So, I will have more to say about our anniversary then...

The beach trip was fantastic again this year.  It was my whole family except for my sister Carol's family.  There were 10 adults and 9 kids.  Poor Katelyn was the only girl!  I was so excited to spend time with my newest nephew, Lincoln.  He is so small and adorable!

The boys had a blast all week playing with their cousins.  They really were pretty easy, since they were constantly busy with pool and beach and just playing.

We ate lots and lots of good food.  As usual, each family is in charge of cooking one night and then we went out to dinner two nights.  Sadly, my kids are not the biggest seafood eaters.  They will eat fish and  Evan liked both clams and crab, but that is about it.  I hope this changes as they get older.

This was the first year we were in Nags Head for 4th of July and we sure lucked out.  Our house was only about 3 houses from the pier where they let off a huge fireworks display.  We were able to all sit on the top deck of the house and watch the show.  It was by far the best I have seen and it felt like it was our own private show since we were so close.  All the kids seemed to enjoy it, based on the constant stream of chatter from some of the kids (ie. Evan).

Other than that, the adults played lots of Catan.  We did mini golf and went out for ice cream a few times.  But mostly, we spent lots of time at the beach and pool.  Logan loved the ocean and laughed and laughed running from the waves.  He was a bit hesitant at first with the pool, but eventually enjoyed that too.  Colin and Evan have both gotten more daring at the beach and enjoyed playing with the boogie board.

As always, the week went by way too fast.  We then did the LONG drive back home to Indiana.  15 hours in one day is not fun, but worth it to get home to our own beds.  Logan had fussy moments of course, but the other two did great.  We are already counting down until next years trip and can't believe we will be traveling with a 6 or 7 month old next year!!!