Chicago: Part 2

Not only are we lucky enough to have friends in Chicago, but our friends just happen to be in the fish business and Lauren is currently really into fish.  It started with the book "My Visit to the Aquarium" which lead to more books and DVD's.  

Ryan is the owner of Blue Thumb Chicago and was happy to have a few employee's in training for the weekend.

Our Chi-town visit had to include a trip to the Shedd Aquarium.  I was surprised what Lauren could remember from books or dvd's.  

"There's a lion fish."

"That's a trigger fish."

I won't sugar coat the whole experience...it was great to show her all the fish, but we thought she was kidnapped more than once and she was over it faster than one should be a $30 a pop!  The dolphin show was a great finale to the visit for Lauren, but William gave up halfway through.

I just wanted a nice family picture with the Chicago skyline in the background.  

This is what I got...

I attempted a pep talk that was about ten years over their heads and got this.  

I guess I'm still searching for this year's Christmas card pic.

Lauren refused to be in the group shot...and then cried when we actually took the shot without her.

We LOVE our kids!

They both were sleeping before we exited the parking garage, no wonder they weren't in the mood for family pictures:)

We ended our trip with a little water fun (you work with what you got:))...

and some kite flying.

Thank you Regan and Ryan for being such great hosts!

You are so welcoming and always make us feel like we're right at home.  Till next time:)

XOXO

Aubrey

Chicago: Part 1

We made our annual family trip to Chicago last weekend and wanted to share our fun filled time with our amazing hosts, Regan and Ryan!

We quickly unpacked the car and grabbed a quick cocktail to calm the nerves after a six hour car ride with some unpleasant passengers.  I may or may not have been one of those unpleasant passengers.   After legs were stretched and blood pressure lowered we headed  to dinner.  Greek Style!  Opa!

We hadn't had greek food in forvever and while the food was fantastic, what normal one year old wants to sit after sitting in the car?  Hmmmm...  

Bing, bang, boom...dinner over.

A little gelato on our walk home and we called it an early night.

Regan and Ryan hosted a bbq on Saturday with some friends.  It was great to see some of their friends and catch up with some of ours.

9 month old J.J came to play too.  I don't know what it is about cellphones, but kids love all kinds.  Our kids were texting away on his blackberry.

These two pictures are cute, but they would be even cuter if Billy was holding Wills.  But he was outfit twins with JJ.  Notice we match expressions too:)

Lauren was in a picture taking mood, so I went with it.

Billy even got a cute one with William.

The party was a ton of fun until William got sick.  He couldn't keep anything down and nothing really calmed him.  We took turns with him inside until he fell asleep, and you thought I was ready for a drink earlier:) 

In this moment I had just gotten William down and poured that glass of wine...

Billy continued to snap away when all I wanted to do was sit.  I literally sat down and both kids woke up...I gave up and went to bed. 

C'est la vie!

XOXO


Aubrey

Chicago

We spent the July 4th holiday in Chicago visiting our friends Regan and Ryan. This was the second time we made the trip with kids (we went when Lauren was 9 months old) and the trip was so much fun!

We arrived Saturday just in time for a bbq at their house with some of their friends and some of ours. Lauren enjoyed playing in the sprinkler, eating corn,

and feeding this little boy jello!

We also spent a lot of the weekend with Jean...she loves William almost as much as she loves hotdogs:)

The reason for the bbq was to celebrate Regan's 31st birthday...the cake was gorgeous and delish!

On Sunday, we headed to the beach. It wasn't as warm as we hoped and the wind picked up so we only lasted a few hours. This picture makes me laugh. Ryan is freezing, Lauren is eating and I think its a photo shoot!

The adults enjoyed playing a little corn hole pre-dinner on Sunday and to make sure Lauren was included we paused for a little hide n seek...do you think Lauren found Billy?

Lauren fell in love with Regan and Ryan...mostly Ryan. She woke up asking Where Ryan was?

Lauren also made sure to cover his eyes (more specifically, his nose) when the scary parts came on Beauty and the Beast.

When we asked her where they lived? She said "vacation." And yesterday we asked her where she wanted to go on her next vacation and she said "Regan and Ryan's"

(watch out Regan:) )

Thanks for an wonderful weekend! Can't wait to see you guys in October!

XOXO

Aubrey