Chicago

I needed a girls day out, so my mom and I went to Chicago for the day. It was a lot of fun. We were able to go on an architectural boat tour of the city which was pretty cool and neither of us had done before. We walked along Navy Pier and went on the Ferris Wheel. We also went to Millenium park. We had lunch at the Grand Lux which was delicious. Amazingly enough we didn't do any shopping. I know you can't believe it, but it is true. It was a beautiful day in Chicago high 70's and Sunny which is amazing. We picked the perfect day. It was just what I needed I just which Rachel and Jenny could have been with us. Miss you on days like that. Well enjoy a couple of pics. My mom wouldn't be in any so sorry just me.

View of Chicago Skyline from Navy Pier

Ferris Wheel on Navy Pier

Millenium Park (The Bean)

Miller Park Zoo

Well Erich has some time between internships this week and is finishing up finals so Kaleb and I have been enjoying our time with him. This week we went to Bloomington to go to Miller Park Zoo. Kaleb has never been to the zoo so it was a fun first. The zoo is very small, but perfect for a 2 year old and he was still free so that was nice. We then spent the rest of the afternoon going out to lunch(at Chipotle) yummy yummy. Kinda of reminds me of Cafe Rio with a smaller menu so of course I was loving it. We don't have one in peoria so we will be making little trips to bloomington I'm sure since Erich loved it too. We also did some shopping which we enjoyed. We haven't been doing much lately since I have had a bad case of morning sickness throughout this pregnancy, but it looks like it might be easing up. So it was fun to have this little day out. Enjoy just a few pics.

On our way to Bloomington.

Waterfall in the bird exhibit.

Wow! That's a big kitty.

Happy Birthday Kaleb

It was Kaleb's 2nd birthday yesterday the 25th of April. We had such a fun time celebrating with family. Kaleb had an Elmo party and of course was spoiled rotten by everyone. He got lots of outdoor toys and some clothes. We can't believe Kaleb is already two. Time flies.



Uncle Aaron and Kaleb Fishing.



Grandpa Shurtleff and Kaleb starting a band.


Kaleb going down his new slide. It was raining outside
so he was able to play with it inside. He also got a new
sandbox, pool, lawnmower. Lots of fun things to keep him
busy in the sun.


Mom and Kaleb playing with the Maraca's



Kaleb blowing out his birthday candles.



Kaleb loves Elmo.

The Great Outdoors!

Here are a few random pics of Kaleb playing in the yard. Picking flowers, play in the rocks, and basketball. He loves being outside, we will let him play outside for a couple hours and he still doesn't want to come inside. It must be that long winter we had. Well, Enjoy.

Take Me Out to The Ball Game!

Kaleb and I ventured out to the ball park yesterday with my parents and brother. It was lots of fun. Any baseball fans out there will appreciate the excitement of opening day. It is also cool to see Ryne Sandberg. He is the coach of the Chiefs here in Peoria. Well last night the second batter step up to the plate. FOUL BALL! and guess who caught it? that is right: ME. Then later in the game Kaleb was on the big screen at the game and he was also excited to meet Homer the Chief's Mascot. It was a fun night of Hot Dogs and Nachos. Sad to say the Chiefs lost miserably. Not the right way to start off the season, but Kaleb enjoyed the sights and sounds around him and was excited about the baseball game.

Kaleb and Homer the Chiefs Mascot

Kaleb and Grandma Shurtleff

Our ticket from opening day, the Foul Ball,

and poster of Ryne Sandberg.

New Arrival

We are excited to announce the coming
of our second child. The arrival date will
be some where around October 14th. We are
excited for Kaleb to have a sibling and to be
an older brother. He is so cute he already points
to my belly and says baby, but then again he points
to his belly and says baby. Well we will keep you
posts on this upcoming excitment.

Spring Time!

Flowers are appearing in my front yard it must be spring.
I am so excited to see them since I didn't even know they
were there. We haven't even been in the house a year and
when we moved in it was already fall so they were gone.
This is probably one of the first times I am really enjoying
the signs of Spring. It has been a long winter and it makes
me realize why spring is one of my favorite times of year.
Not to sound corny, but it is cool to see the world around us
come back to life after the cold and dead winter.

Lake of The Ozarks

For Easter weekend we went to Lake of the Ozarks in Southern Missouri. It was a lot of fun. It was nice for the mere fact that it was in the 70's and we haven't seen those temperatures in Illinois for a long time. We are still waiting. Sadly we were to early for all the boating and jet skiing, but we were able to go caving, miniature golfing, and shopping and NBA finals. You will see Erich and Kaleb playing basketball in the Condo. We bought Kaleb a little basketball hoop at the outlet mall and Erich couldn't wait to set it up. I think Erich played with it more then Kaleb, but is that a suprise? They have a huge outdoor outlet mall. If any of you have been to the one in park city just imagine that then double it. It was awesome. So needless to say we did some shopping. But most of all we just enjoyed our time together as a family. It is rare that we see Erich this much so Kaleb and I cling to him when he is home. Well here are some pictures. I hope you enjoy.

Playtime

Kaleb loved the waterslide and went down a few times. He
always had the look of shock at the bottom when the water
splashed in his face, but once he was down he would start
saying: "slide, slide, slide". So it was fun to see him enjoy
the water.

Kaleb and Abie at PreSchool Splash. We had playgroup at

The Riverplex this week. All the kids loved it. It is nice to

go swimming even when it is in the single digits outside.

It helps us feel like we are in a warmer climate for just a

little bit.

Kaleb Reading! He loves looking at Books.

The two snow bunnies. I was pulling them around the yard

on a sled. They were not much for going down the hill.

Kaleb and I Sledding at a friends House.

Happy Valentines Day!

Happy Valentine's Day.

Kaleb making a silly face. This seems to capture his
personality perfectly.

Kaleb and Mommy

Kaleb plugs his nose everytime he hears the song
splish splash.


Daddy and Kaleb Chilling on the Couch.


Abie, Kaleb, and Mason playing together at Playgroup

Random Pics

WELL A NEW SEMESTER IS APPROACHING AND ERICH IS GETTING READY TO BE BUSY AGAIN. I AM NOT READY, IT WAS NICE TO HAVE HIM HOME AT LEAST FOR A COUPLE HOURS A DAY. HE STARTED HIS INTERNSHIP JOB WITH CATERPILLAR AND IS EXCITED FOR A CHANGE OF PACE. KALEB AS YOU CAN SEE IS THE THE CENTER OF MY ATTENTION AND I AM SURE THAT HE LOVES THAT. WE HAVE FUN SPENDING OUR DAYS TOGETHER PLAYING WITH TRUCKS, COLORING AND SEEING FRIENDS.

KALEB AND ABIE CHILLING ON THE COUCH.

KALEB READING STORIES. THIS IS WHERE I READ

TO HIM, SO HE ALSO LIKES TO SIT IN THE ROCKING

CHAIR WHEN HE READS.

KALEB IN THE SHOPPING CART

KALEB SLIDING!

KALEB BEING SILLY!