Date night

Jeremy and I have been able to go out a few times since we've moved to Chicago, thanks to some great friends.  But we've never really ventured downtown because we didn't want to be gone too long.  So, while my mom was in town, downtown we went and took a tour on the Tall Ship Windy while listening to ghost stories.

Waiting to board.

I had been wanting to go on this ship since last August.  But we kept deciding it cost too much.  But when you have a free babysitter, it's pretty hard to pass up.

It was a gorgeous night, a littly chilly, but what else do you expect in October?  The sky was absolutely clear and we were able to see quite a few stars once we pulled away from the city a little bit.

After our ride on the ship, we decided we'd go for a ride on the ferris wheel at Navy Pier.  Jeremy thinks it's hilarious to rock the car while I am freaking out about the chance of falling to my death.  We had a lot of fun, and it was nice to come home and have Will in bed and find out all the fun he and his grandma had while we were gone.  Thanks Mom!

Visit from my Mom (part 2)

While my mom was here we had to go downtown Chicago.  It was a perfect day, it had rained in the morning so it was nice and cool and being on a weekday the tourist attractions weren't busy at all.

My mom and I trying to keep up with Will and Jeremy.

We went up the Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower).  Will thought it was pretty cool.

Will couldn't believe how many yellow taxis and yellow boats he could see being up so high.  I just wished that there was a slot for me to drop a penny out the window.

My mom on the other hand, thought it was cool, but didn't like being on the ledge at all.  When we left the tower, she bought I t-shirt that said "I went over the edge" because she was proud of herself for stepping out onto the ledge.  She told me that night as she took out the t-shirt to look at it again, she just about had a panic attack thinking about it.

In front of Buckingham fountain.

We drove by the temple on the way home.  We couldn't remember where it was, so luckily my sister Alyse was home and gave us the address.  My mom was able to borrow my temple clothes and go through the Chicago temple.

Will showing off for Grandma singing "a cowboy needs a horse, needs a horse..."

We went to our favorite forest preserve.  Will was yelling to my mom "Grandma!  I stuck!"  And he was.

Making Aunt Debbie's chocolate chip cookies.

My Mom relaxing for a minute at Cantingy Park.  It was a cool place that had tanks for boys to climb on, a war museum and lots of different gardens to go venture into.

We had a lot of fun with my mom and treasured every moment.  We are grateful we were able to spend so much time together and that she was able to come out and visit us.

Visit from my Mom (part 1)

My Mom came to visit us last week and was here for ten fun filled days.  Will loved showing off for his Grandma and loved having someone to always play with.  It was incredibly nice to have her all to ourselves, I don't recall ever being able to just sit back and relax with her since before I was married and we'd have our long late night conversations.  It was great to be able to spend so much time together.

Will and Grandma watching a movie and having some popcorn.

We went to Bengston's Farm and had a lot of fun.  I'm not sure how excited my Mom was since she is by farms everyday, but I think that she had fun being with Will and seeing him so excited.  Will is sitting on a 1400 pound pumpkin.

 

Grandma was nice and bought some overpriced carrots so that Will could feed the animals. I think it was his favorite part of the whole farm. He giggled whenever the animals licked his hand.

 Going on a hayride to the pumpkin patch.

 

Grandma being brave sitting by Will and his stick.  Just like most boys, he likes to find them and swing them like a baseball bat.  Someday he'll learn to be careful, in the meantime I hope he doesn't hurt anyone.

Grandma loves to spoil her grandkids, Will got to ride on the train twice and he was in heaven.

Will thought it was pretty nice to have a buddy in the backseat, especially when Grandma buys really tasty popcorn to share with everyone.