Ditch the Kids 2010

It's no secret that I've been somewhat...well...downright whiny lately about Evan's busy schedule and our lack of time together. I might or might not have mentioned to Evan that we haven't had an honest to goodness real date for 5 maybe 6 years (I've been known to exaggerate in dire circumstances). I've dropped hints, handed him the sitter's number, written an essay with bullet points describing why I need a night out to no avail. So imagine my surprise when, after picking my mom up from the airport on Friday, Evan was home. In the middle of the day. A workday. In the midst of my confusion (are you okay? did you lose your job? did someone DIE?) at him being home, Evan officially declared the next 24 hours as "Ditch the Kids 2010." I quickly packed a bag, left my kids in the very capable hands of my mom, and hopped the train into downtown Chicago (with Evan of course).

-We walked the streets of Chicago where I overcame my fear of being shot (big cities tend to do this to me - too much America's Most Wanted).

-We ate dinner at the cutest Italian restaurant where the food was terrible, just absolutely awful. First bad Italian experience I've had since moving to Chicagoland. This restaurant could seriously use a visit from Chef Gordon Ramsey & Kitchen Nightmares, Top Chef, Chef Boyardee, somebody.

-We headed to the theater to see The Lion King. First Broadway show I've ever seen and it was amazing.
-Stayed at a gorgeous hotel. Thank you Priceline for making it possible for us to stay here as opposed to the Motel 6.
Such a fun, spontaneous night on the town which made me realize two things. One - my husband really does listen when I talk! Two - I missed the kids that we ditched. A big thank you to my mom for making our date night happen. And Evan, you earned big time brownie points.

Some Family Fun

Today we took the time for a much needed family day. With Evan back in school, busy with deadlines at work, and church campouts (do 12 year olds really need to go on a campout every month?), I'm logging some serious hours by myself at night with my 9x13 pan of brownies and remote control. It's gotten to the point where I feel like I need to introduce myself to the hubby when he walks in the door on Friday night (I know for a fact that I have a lot of friends out there who can relate). So Evan and I had what I like to call a little "discussion" where, let's be honest, some tears were shed (mine, not Evan's) which resulted in us scheduling some family fun. Ignoring the lawn that needed to be mowed and Evan's huge pile of homework, we headed out to the farmlands of Illinois and seriously the cutest pumpkin patch you've ever seen. Better yet I remembered to charge the camera and bring it.

We started out with the wagon ride, conquered a straw maze, and headed to the petting zoo. At this point I was so in love with the farm country and cute animals, I was completely convinced that I was meant to be a farmer. Well, maybe not a farmer, but definitely a farmer's wife. That is until I actually smelled the petting zoo and determined that life in surburbia isn't so bad. Colt was noticeably nervous with the animals. He proceeded to tell us that he just loves animals as long as they aren't bigger than him. Hmmm...that narrowed it down a bit seeing as how every animal except the bunny was bigger than him. After some serious coaxing (and Evan forcibly holding his hand), here's Colt feeding the sheep. That's as close as we could get him to the poor animal and I'm pretty sure the sheep's neck will never be the same.

Cade was bound and determined to feed this goat who wanted absolutely nothing to do with him. Wouldn't even give him the simple courtesy of eye contact.

Ahh much better. The sheep will help you out Cade.
Oh my gosh, I could not get enough of these baby cows! They are seriously the cutest things! I'm pretty sure I took more pictures of them than my own kids. And I'm having some serious guilt over how much I like beef. I don't think I'll ever be the same.
Cade could not get enough of this bunny whom he aptly named "Superbunny." I mean look at that thing - he's huge! Cade looks like he's terrorizing the bunny as opposed to petting him. Poor Superbunny.
Next it was onto the pony rides. We were told that Cade's pony was named Commanche but if you asked Cade, his name was "Pretty Pony." Doesn't quite pack the same masculine punch, does it?
Colt may have been scared of the sheep but he was a natural on the pony. We might have a cowboy in training on our hands.
Picking out our pumpkins.
Such a well spent few hours of our Saturday and I'm currently campaigning to make this a yearly tradition.

Summer Recap

Summer is no longer in full swing - here in Chicago it's actually over - but I'm back with the post I promised a whopping three months ago. Better late than never right? We had a summer full of fun and travel and more travel and this mama needing a seriously long nap. But push come to shove the kids had the best time of their little lives and here I am to document it (courtesy of all the other picture takers - thanks Gwen, Ash, and Rach!)

While we were in LA we of course took a trip to the beach. Evan, being the Californian that he is, would set up a tent and live on the beach if I weren't so against ... well, the idea of living in a tent. He and the boys spent the day in the sand and surf (the kids actually were pretty wimpy in the actual surf since it's so dang cold) and I stayed far away from the water and its great white sharks. It was Cade's turn to get buried in the sand and here he is waving at the camera since it scared him to think of having his hands buried. Me and my claustrophobic self don't blame him.

After all our playing, it was onto the main event, Evan's sister Julia's wedding. She got married in the LA temple so six years later, Evan and I got to go back to the place where it all began for us. Notice my sunburned legs that seriously match my shirt. It hurts just thinking about it.

Waiting for the bride and groom to arrive.
Evan's fam. Oh and I know that I'm looking taller than the hubby but I swear I'm standing on the step above him.
Celebrating my 29th - one year and counting till the big one.
Colt and his BFF cousin Anna. Is it just me or has Colt never looked happier?
A few days after coming home from California, the kids and I took off to spend the majority of July in Texas. The kids loved getting spoiled by Nana (case in point - the train ride below) and getting donuts with Papa. My kids could not get enough of baby Gavin. They refuse to say his name without the "baby" in front of it. Wonder how Gavin's gonna feel about that when they're all teenagers.
We also got in our annual trip to Sea World, thanks to awesome Aunt Valerie.
After Texas, it was off to Wisconsin to see my friend Rach and stay at her family's cabin. I had yummy food and a good friend to talk to. The boys had frogs, dirt, and a Spiderman life jacket. It was a win/win situation for everyone.
Whew - I think that's it for the Big Summer '10. We're back to real life, Colt started preschool (is he really going to kindergarten next year?), and I'm trying to remember how to cook and clean my house. Now onto my favorite season of the year and its apple/pumpkin desserts in all their glory.