Part 4!

Chicago!!!

(This is where I might get a little wordy.... ;) )

We took the train from the park to downtown. Our train started out being 15 - 20 minutes late, then later 20 - 30 minutes late, so we killed time with a game of Uno and Simon Says. The train ended up being very crowded with standing room only! We all squeezed into two seats for the hour trip, but the kids did a great job.

Once we arrived downtown, we headed for the Field Museum. We had learned on a Chicago web sight that it was a free day there as well. (The Sedd was free that day, too!) But upon arrival, we learned that the sponsor, Target, had backed out and that it was no longer a free day. While their web sight had changed it, the Chicago tourism one had not. However, we were not the only ones who were there for the free day!! A very nice, loud man caused enough of a scene, that we got in free with him! The poor lady in front of us paid over $100 and was not happy! We decided to get off the main floor, lest they change their minds! It turns out we are a bit spoiled by our Children's museum in Indy. This place was impressive in size and the sheer number of dead, stuffed animals, but there was little for the kids to touch or play with. Also, because they couldn't read, they were only slightly interested. We supported their food vendor and then found the play area that was much more like our museum! The kids picked some corn and then took it into a Pueblo house. They also found some instruments to play where Tim and Cooper did a tribute to Rich Mullins!

After the museum, we headed out to find the Shedd. But! The line to GET IN was over an hour wait. So we opted not to do that. We overheard a girl on the train home saying there was very little free stuff to see. You still had to pay to see many of the exhibits. Very glad we didn't wait for an hour! Instead, we hoofed it (probably should have taken a cab, but again, the kids did great!) to Navy Pier to ride the Ferris Wheel and catch some silly pirates dancing and singing. (Cooper's favorite - they were fighting, too!)

After Navy Pier we caught a cab to the Rainforest Cafe. The kids loved riding in the cab! They enjoyed their dinner next to the fish tank as well. After dinner we took another cab back to the train station where we quickly caught the train home. We were able to get 4 seats facing each other this time. We were also glad we had our iPod to entertain! :)

Back at camp we were all exhausted and pretty much went straight to bed! What a great day!

Drake Family Vacation (Part 3)

After the beach it was back to camp for hot showers and dinner! Again, thank goodness I threw in extra warm clothes for everyone. Hot dogs, veggies and fruit and MONSTER s'mores! (Those jumbo marshmallows were an impulse buy. In hind sight, probably not a great investment, but made for great pictures!) After dessert, we needed to burn off the sugar so we took a hike. The trails are nice and wide, and often sandy. We hiked half way to the beach. The kids did great. Camping with a 3 and 4 year old makes it hard to enjoy any night time fun. Though the kids got new flash lights and we had glow stick bracelets we really didn't get to use them. :( Someday. Also, we had a time change and were an hour ahead of everyone there. It was kind of nice! Our first night camp wasn't too loud and the kids slept ok. Cooper was up a couple of time having to go the bathroom and Grace got cold. (We all did!) The second night we had noisy college boy neighbors but all slept in the bed together so we were warmer!

Drake Family Vacation 2011 (Part 2)

After we set up camp, we headed for the beach. It was cold, foggy, and windy, but we went anyway!!! Tim took the kids to the top of Devil's slide where they rolled down part way and then ran the rest. Then it was to the water! Again - COLD! You can see in the pictures how foggy it was, but in the time it took me to walk to the van and get the beach toys, it lifted! It was still cold, but not so bad we couldn't stay and play!!! I absolutely loved watching the kids play in the sand. I wish I knew what they were thinking as they would collect water and wet sand, and then pick a random spot on the beach to mix and "work". So cool!! There were also several seagulls around. The family next to us thought it was cool to feed them, but as they hovered above us, one pooped on my back. Stupid seagulls. I'll take a sign next time to put near our spot: "Please don't feed the seagulls next to us. They poop while they wait for you to feed them. Thank you." Other than the bird poop - excellent first trip to the beach!!!!

Drake Family Vacation 2011 (Part 1)

We are home from our first official Drake Family Vacation and the verdict is in: It was AWESOMELY PERFECT!!!! We are all exhausted, but it was so worth it. The kids were out very quickly tonight, and Tim and I will soon follow. :)

As this blog has become our family scrap book and journal, I apologise now if I get wordy, but I don't want to forget any of it! So, here is Part one... it will take several, I think!

We left Sunday morning for the Indiana Dunes State Park bright and early. Grace got straight to work making a check list for us and spelling "Chicago". Cooper was enjoying his reflection in his new travel box! The sky was amazing on the way up there - clouds all in a row! We stopped for lunch just before we got to the park where the kids enjoyed some of Tim's shake. It was a bit cooler than we expected - 52 according to the van reading! Good thing I threw in some extra pants and sweatshirts for everyone.... but me! While Tim and I went to work on the tent and camp sight, the kids played in the dirt!! Good grief!! They also went and got some firewood while I made up the beds. *Memory... it only took us two tries to get the tent up. We used the wrong poles for the top... made for a very pitiful looking tent! I also had on a white sweatshirt and felt like everyone in the camp was watching the "newbies"!

That's all for tonight.... I'm exhausted! Next up: A very cold beach and Chicago!!!

VBS 2011

Shake it up Cafe!

I was in charge of the bible story each night this year. All four age groups came through my Bible times kitchen. Great material and I was blessed to have great assistants! We had a drama every night and all the actors did a great job. The kids had so much fun! Cooper was even in a class for the three year olds (I insisted) and Grace, again, loved her time with Nicole. All that said.... I'm glad it's over!

Bonus: Video! Grace in the front, Cooper is the little guy on the left in the back, and (double bonus!) Tim is on the right in the back! :)

What's that saying?

A watched baby never wakes. ?

I went to the farm last weekend to "help" grandma and grandpa with Nicholas, and the little bugger slept the whole time I was there! It was still fun to watch him sleep - so cute! And growing so much!!!!