HaPpy BirThDaY O!

I do not remember what our family was like with out you. The past year has been an eventful year for you. Your personality has really started to shine! You are a character! I am not sure who can be a bigger goofball, you or your Dad. You love to make us laugh.

You have grown a lot the past year and there are so many things I always want to remember! The nick name "Louie" has started to stick (I am sorry about that!). You love your lamby blanket and sleep with it every night! One night, we could not find your binky. I told you they were lost and that was that. Nothing more said! Yippee. Good bye binky. You started wearing big boy undies at 22 months. GREAT JOB! If you hurt someone or do something wrong, you immediately say "Oh sorry, sorry, sorry." You love to give kisses but only on the cheek. Daddy only gets them on his forehead because his face is scratchy. Your facial expressions say it all! You are very vocal and tell us like it is. The other day while driving, you said, "Oh, come on mommy!"

We spent your birthday with A LOT of friends. We did a sub for Santa at the Storheims' and made time to sing Happy Birthday among the craziness. You felt very special. Grandma and Grandpa gave you the gift that stole you heart, Buzz Light Year. You love him!

You are a funny, sweet, energetic, sympathetic, sassy, and very loved! Happy Second Birthday Louie!

Windy City

The game was a bust but the rest of the weekend was great. I learned a lot about Chicago and North Bend Indiana.

We flew into Chicago around 11 on Thursday morning. We met up with Chelsea and Jeff. We got off to a rough start trying to use our phones as maps looking for Giordanos Pizza. We walked most of the city but finally made it there to enjoy some deep dish pizza. It was really good! And we were really hungry. We then headed to the Art Institute of Chicago. That place is huge! We spent a few hours there and saw some classics and some interesting "ART". We headed over to the Magnificent Mile and walked around the shops for a while. We saw Hersheys, Ghiradeli, Apple, H&M, Nike Town, and much more. Next we headed to an Italian Restaurant and ate more food. MMM, gnocchi!

Can you believe this pizza? YUMMMMM

Friday morning we went on an architecture boat tour. It was a great way to see the city and learn about all the buildings. We went to lunch at a Mexican Restaurant and the ceviche was divine. We headed to the Willis Tower next for a few hours and it was one of my favorite parts of Chicago. I did the audio tour and learned even more about the city. They have a glass deck off the side of the building. It was CRAZY stepping out on it. I seriously was shaking! We got some great pictures of it. We headed out to Wrigley Field where we took a few pics outside the stadium and glanced in on the field. They were getting it ready for a football game.

Gibson's steak hosue was the next stop and it really might be some of the best food I have ever had. My kind of food! A lettuce wedge, ribs, asparagus, and a "piece" of banana cake like you have neer seen before! I LOVED IT! We headed back to our hotel (The Palmer House Hilton) because we wanted to get some sleep for the big game the next day.

Saturday morning we headed down to South Bend, Indiana to Notre Dame. We first went to the Football Hall of Fame. I wished we had C with us. He would have loved it there! Next we headed to the campus and stopped at the book store. We bought a shirt for Alan, a Christmas tree ornament (a key chain), and a magnet for our magnet board. We toured the rest of the campus for a while and headed to the stadium. There was a lot of red around.
We watched the band, cheerleaders, and mascot enter the stadium and then went to our seats. We were in the Notre Dame section but met up with Alan's friends so we had some red around us. The game was miserable. Not only did it rain for the first time our entire trip but the Utes were even more disappointing than the week before.

Although the game was a disappointment, it was great to see the campus and worth the trip. We drove back to Chicago and ate some thin crust Pizza at Excheckers. The BBQ pizza was great. We were exhausted so we headed back to our hotel.

Sunday we met up with Jeff and Chelsea again (they were our travel buddies and Jeff planned the whole trip, thanks Jeff!). We went to Navy Pier and I wished it was summer with our kids because it looked like a fun place. The pier was pretty dead so we jumped on a red tour bus and drove around the city. I wish we had done that the first day because we learned a lot and it took you around the whole city. Live and learn!

We decided to go see the temple on our way to the airport. As we got closer we started getting nervous we would be late for out flight so we decided to be safe and go straight to the airport. Chelsea and Jeff dropped us off because their flight was later and at a different airport. I have to mention Jeff was an awesome taxi driver! I am soooooo glad I was not driving there!

We had a lot of extra time in the airport so we went to the Crown Room and sat by the fire to warm up. Alan was able to upgrade us to first class so our flight home was actaully enjoyable.

As we came down the elevator, our three cute boys and their Aunt Mimi were waiting with welcome home signs! We missed the hoodlems! Now, a HUGE thanks to Megan for tending the boys for us! They are a lot of work! She is amazing. We love you Megs and the boys love you even more. Alan's Mom took the boys for one night so Megan could have a break. Thanks Susan! We have the best family.

We are back at it again and looking forward to Thanksgiving next week as we have so very much to be thankful for.