Day 7 Science and Industry Museum

Our last day in Chicago and we decided to head to the Science and Industry Museum.  Well... lets just say, it was Awesome.  We should have gone earlier because alot of the extra exhibits were sold out, however, we ended up not even having time to see like half of the museums regular exhibits.  It was a really cool place and had we not had Lanier, I could have actually read what things were.  It was cool though and she had a GREAT time. I sooo wish we had things like this to do in Memphis.  I mean... a day out here is like storytime at Davis Kidd...uhh, not soo educational...

 they had a huge room with all kinds of trains and set ups of Seattle and Chicago and such

 The real Apollo 8 command module... I only remember that because I can see the writing in the picture  ha ha

 I thought putting these pictures of  the German U-505 Submarine in black in white would let you step back in time. It almost looks as though the people below are getting ready to board. This is the only german submarine in the US

 lounging

 One of many cool posters they had

 So sometimes you can get really upset when your camera settings are all off and other times you can create some cool stuff.

 They had an exhibit with Christmas trees from around the world.  LOVE LOVE LOVE all the colors

 then we headed to a color room

 and then we put Lanier to work milkin' the cows

 later that evening we walked to dinner, about 4 blocks, in 17 degree weather... shhh don't tell my mother in law, she would freak.  Marrin was sooo bundled she was HOT.

I mean.. who doesn't love their daddy :)

 On our walk home. I couldn't decided if I liked the color or black and white version better. So you get BOTH

 Wishing you a HAPPY and HEALTHY new year. See ya in 2011

 

Daaaaaa Bears- day 6

 Sunday we were all exhausted and while Dad went with my Uncle and cousins to the Bears game we stayed in a kept WARM.

Snacking on Chicago style Pizza and Oranges

Laniers own take on Tailgating...

the REAL tailgaters...

my helper for the week :)  We cannot wait for BABY C to make her arrival in APRIL !!!!

view for Jon and Ashleighs top floor. I believe it was the 32nd.  How cool is that  !!! This was at halftime of the game.  GOOO BEARS !!

and then we all settled in for the night.  View Jon and Ash have of Michigan Ave.

Christmas Day- Day 5

So I thought we all must get our early morning, haven't brushed our hair, maybe brushed our teeth Christmas morning picture on here :). Hands down, my husband wins !! Kinda bummed I didn't get more pics but I was videoing as well.

 Off to my grandparents we went that afternoon.  We took another exit to get there but usually we literally go over the river and through the woods to get there. I couldn't resist taking these of their picturesque street. 

 

 So quaint

 and if I am not mistaken I think the dark house was the one that was used to film The Beast with Patrick Swazye. Grams said their were production lights all during the night. I love love love their street !!

and these handsome two were Tim and I's drivers for the trip. Just kidding. My parents are too cute !!  They prefer to drive so Tim and I just sat and rode.  No complaints there.

I didn't get too many pics that night since a little 10 week old was being a little fussy... I will not mention names but she knows who she is and who can blame her.  Her schedule had been all thrown off.

another family pic.  Lanier and Marrin were all dressed up in their Christmas bests. Marrin actually wore the outfit I wore on my first Christmas.  I am so glad mom kept it.  I'll have to get a side by side pic scanned in.

Marrin LOVES her "Bear"

It was so great for the girls to hang out with "Ahhshleigh and Unc," Laniers new words.  She says Ahhshleigh so good. Its too cute. She would wake up each morning saying their names :). I know they had a ball with the girls as well.  The picture of Jon was lets say was inspired by a picture I saw hanging in my grandparents house.  I forgot to take it to scan but its a picture of me, on Christmas, wearing this same outfit, lying in MY Uncle Johns arms, with him posed just like this.  So here we placed Marrin in HER uncle Jons arms, in the same outfit, on Christmas.  The side by side pics are uncanny.  Jon looks just like our Uncle John. I cannot wait to get the original picture, for you see, my Uncle John was killed in a hit and run accident just about 3 months after the original photo was taken.  I cannot wait to frame the two photos and share with my family !!

Shelley, whom we hope to join the family soon :), my cousin Maggie, Ash, Me and my cousin Alison 

dAYS 3 & 4

 The morning of Christmas Eve we went to visit my grandparents to spend a little extra time with them before all the chaos of the next day.  They had yet to meet my sweet Marrin and had only last seen Lanier in May at her Christening.  How special it is to have your child in the arms of their GREAT Grandparents.  There is a story to this picture and it goes like this.  My little sweet 10 week old Marrin is being held by her GREAT Grandmother as her Grandmother ( Busie) looks on ( thanks in part to the mirror behind ) and as I, the mother, capture this very cool image.
4 generations.  I look forward to passing this photo on to Marrin

 Ohh thats a handsome couple

Here Tim and I are posing before our big night out on the town.  Jon and Ash got us tickets to see Wicked as our SURPRISE Christmas gift, and were we ever surprised.  They wrapped, well Ashleigh wrapped, up the book and as we looked at them they said "And you will be going to see it on Thursday night while we watch the kiddos."  How COOL is that !! So we made a night of it and got dressed up and hit the town in a cabby, headed north to Clark Ave., and grabbed a bite to eat at my favorite spot, Maggionos.  The have the BEST pound cake dessert EVER.  

 there is just something I love about night photography and the glow of all the lights

then to the Cadillac Palace on Randolph we went

the show was AMAZING.  I had heard awesome reviews but no one had ever said anything as to the plot of the show.  WOW is all I can say.  A MUST SEE !!  We had an awesome time and the kiddos we sleeping when we got home. Thanks again Jon and Ash 

So I have a huge immediate family on my dads side.  I think there ended up being 50 and thats just from my dad and his sister and brother and thier kids... CRAZY as you can see by the pics.  We had so much fun and wish the night could have lasted a bit longer.  I also love the fact that we got a white Christmas Eve and Christmas.  Can't beat that