Crazy July

What a fun month July has been for us! We kicked off July with a "rockin" fourth! We spent the evening enjoying rock band with cousins. It was too hot to view the fireworks! That does make two years in a row without viewing fireworks. I think I need to try harder next year and let the kids enjoy some fireworks. Emery has never seen them.


A week later the kids and I flew to Chicago to visit my parents. They have recently moved there. We absolutely loved being with them. We don't see my dad very often, so it was fun to spend time with him. They live in downtown Chicago on the 43rd floor of an apartment building. Emmet enjoyed the elevator and really liked putting trash down the garbage shoot. He kept asking why we can't live in an apartment. Thoughts of Morningside Heights kept coming to mind!!! (My apartment in Mayrland) I explained that while an apartment was fun for a few days, he would be much happier in a house. He didn't quite agree. The apartment was quite small, but had a gorgeous view of the river and lake. We especially loved looking out the window to watch the all the different boats go by.

No trip would be complete unless we went to the American Girl store. My dad was quite excited to take Emery there. We would walk up and down Michigan Avenue seeing red bags and cute girls dressed just like their dolls.

My parents apartment is in a great location. Everything was within walking distance. The kids just hung out in their strollers and loved being pushed around. One evening I hit a bump and Emmet flew out of his stroller. From then on he would yell "pit hole" whenever he thought he might go flying. I'm not sure how he came up with that.

We spent a lot of time at Millenium Park. We listened to a great concert out on the lawn. I would have stayed longer, but the symphony didn't hold Emmet and Emery's attention. They also have a great water area. There are two brick towers with images of prominent Chicago citizens who are projected on the towers. Their lips eventually pucker and then they spit at you. It's great. Eventually it turns into a huge waterfall. The kids loved this!!


The kids had fun swimming, in what Arizonans would consider a "fake" pool. It looked like a giant bathtub. The kids enjoyed it though because it was outside on the 16th floor of my parents apartment building.

The highlight for Emmet was the boat ride we took on out on the Lake. We had no idea that we were sitting in the splash zone. We were looking forward to a quiet ride, but we got soaked. Emmet was hit the worst. I really was trying not to laugh. We literally were the only ones getting off wet. Emmet kept making sure we wouldn't go on anymore boat rides.

before

during the ride--he's quite mad!!

I could go on and on about how much fun we had. I love that my parents finally live in a fun place to visit. Emery loved the dog park we visited daily. There were the cutest dogs there. We visited Oprah's store. Nothing special, but we had to see it. I have to say though that my favorite part of the trip was going to see Wicked.

I hadn't been to a musical in almost ten years. The theater was beautiful. We had great seats. Two short women sat in front of us, so I had a great view of the stage!! I knew nothing about the story, but it was so fun and quirky. The two leads were women and I was stunned by how beautiful their voices were. The were so strong and clear. I was mesmorized. My mom and I walked home, thats how close the theater was. If you have an opportunity to see Wicked I highly recommend it. I came home and downloaded some of the songs!

We got back from Chicago a little depressed because we were on the go so much there. We were invited last minute to go camping and on a whim we went. I drove my car following our friends and I actually kept up. I have never taken the kids camping, but we had a great time. I drove on a dirt road for a long time and the kids were quite nervous about my driving abilities. Emmet and Emery at first really didn't know what to do, but once they realized I didn't care if they got dirty they had a great time!!


To leave the campsite we had to go uphill. This made Emmet nervous, so he kept saying the sweetest prayer as I drove up the mountain. He was so excited that we made it!! I would definitely take them camping again. Especially with our friends we went with. They set up our tent and cooked. What more could you ask for.

The next weekend the kids had the fun opportunity to spend a few days with their Nanny and Papa (Sam's parents) while I attended my ward's youth conference. I have to say I had a hard time leaving them. It was the first time I would be apart from them that long and I wasn't sure if I would be in cell phone range if there was a problem. But...when the kids got home they couldn't stop talking about all the fun they had and I had a great time as well. I love being with the youth. We camped outside of Flagstaff and it was beautiful. I got to go repelling, which I love to do and hadn't done in years. We sang silly girls camp songs, which is always fun. I feel quite lucky to be in young women's.

Well...I think August won't be as exciting of a month. Emmet starts preschool in a few weeks. That will keep us around!