Hunter and Blake's Halloween

They Decorated....

They played games....

They waited............

They begged for candy!

They visited Adam and Kim.

Mom and dad helped them celebrate.

Blake helps out

To get ready for Blake's First Communion next Sunday he got to help out in a service. The girl he shadowed said, "he did a good job and was very strong. He probably could have carried the cross by himself."




In the same service Hunter sang in the chior.

for Hunter and Blake

At your request, I took a walk down the river outside my hotel and took some photos for you. These are the tower parking ramps outside the House of Blues. Below is the marina.

The Chicago Triune is the white building in the middle of this picture.

This is the House of Blues. There is no longer a House of Blues Hotel - it has been changed to something else.

This is Harry Caray's. Have Daddy tell you about that.

This is the view down the river from my hotel.

This is the building Fultons is in.

This is the Opera House.

This is the Metra train station. Mommy worked on the 26th floor of this building for 9 years.

This is just a nice view down the river.

This is the Merchandise Mart. Merchandisers come here to show their new products to owners of stores. These items are then sold in stores to you and me.

The shiny building is the new Trump tower.

This is the L train. The train runs all over the city to help people get around. There are thousands of people trying to get around all the time. There is not enough room for them to all be driving cars. Many walk or take the train.

Bonus Photo for Dave - New Home of Da Bears.

I will send more if I get anymore interesting photos this week. I miss you and can't wait to come home!

The Boys visit Chicago

The trip started at 7 am at the farm....

and ended at 2 pm in the city. What a contrast.

We spent a day at the Shedd Aquarium where we saw 6000 fish and watched a movie about the Planet Earth. The highlight were the special effects like having your legs tickled by fake rats and snakes and being spit on by various animals.

The next day we went to the Field Museum. The highlight was, of course, Sue. We arrived at 9 am (3rd people in line) and left as they closed up shop. We went through every exhibit though some we just breifly skimmed. We learned more in one day then our brains could absorb. Hunter's favorite fact was that a storm becomes a Hurricane at 74 mph. Blake learned that T Rexes really aren't that big. He kinda of thought he may have been able to take Sue.

Finally, we did a little tour of the city cruising by the Wrigley Field where we learned, Blake's favorite Major League baseball team was the White Sox! He should have said something about 71 blocks sooner. We ate Giordanos pizza and swam in the pool twice to round out the trip.

Some day we will go back and watch the White Sox play.

Last of the Summer Wine

September 27, 2008 is Amy's 41st birthday (14th if you looked at the cake on the opposite side) and Dave tossed us a patio party with HRM REX+Goliath Giant 47-lb. Rooster Chardonnay (World Market). It was accompanied with an ice-cream cake from Dairy Queen (boys' choice). Amy's birthday morning was spent with her Mom and Kim walking the Sherman Hill House Tour and dining at Cafe di Scala. We met at 2 p.m. for cake and a family celebration before Grandpa Al and Nana Becky depart for Florida.

Hunter spent the night before Amy's birthday celebrating his last overnight for this season at his grandparents' condo--a night at Boston's playing pool after reading under the willow tree. He helped pack the car for the trip to Florida

Blake turns 7 at the Bounce House

Saturday night, 22 of Blake's best friends (actual one was a girlfriend and two were her best friends), celerated Blake turning 7. With only two professional supervisors they all managed to have a great time with only minor bumps and bruises.

The first step was a video on the rules. They all lay quietly on the floor while they listened. Then mild fun....

Hunter, Blake and Katie Jane (the girlriend)

Became wild fun!

Blake was always in the middle of the trouble. Rolling around on the ground, dancing at the drinking fountain or mass climb up a wall.

Snacks and cake lasted about 10 minutes. Here is Blake between Carsen and Adam (his two longest lasting best friends) and next to Adam is Katie Jane. According to Katie's mom, Katie asked Blake to marry her, but Blake said no. He isn't sure he is ever going to get married. Nothing against Katie. He thinks she is alright as far as girls go.

Next was the king's chair. Blake poses with his newest best friends Jackson and Christopher. He is wearing his king's hat. Next he is swarmed by a group of very excited kids all wanting to see him opening his presents. He is in there somewhere.

At the end all but two of his guests posed for a group photo.

Later, at home mom and dad had a little fun. Katie Jane gave Blake a HUGE radio operated Tarantula. He is kind of freaky about spiders. (she has a sense of humor!) We put it together and terrorized him. He jumped off the floor and refused to touch the ground until we put it away. Go Katie Jane.

Amy and Dave were greatful for modern commercialism and plastic today. A party package with no hassle; great gifts they can play with all winter. We went home rested and happy! The kids were out in 10 minutes though.