Swedish Days with the Madden's

Friday morning the kids and I met my friend Shannon and her kids downtown Geneva to check out Swedish Days. It was crazy trying to find parking! It seemed everyone had the same idea we did since it was Kid's Day on this day of the festival. The kids did really well though, walking from the car to the festivities and then they had fun at different booths. They did some dancing and playing with a parachute at the fitness stage, we had a picnic lunch, and then they all did some hula hooping and an activity where they glued on pictures of nutritious food to paper plates. Josh's first one was pretty funny, it had 2 pictures of popcorn, and 1 veggie. They got all sorts of giveaways like frisbees, a stuffed bear, a ball, lip balm, and some "anitizer" as Josh called it (hand sanitizer). After the children's parade we made the trek back to the car without even having to carry Ryan. The weather was great and it was fun seeing Shannon and the kids.

Vacation Bible School

This year Hannah was old enough to go to VBS at church. Her neighbor friend Jenna went too, so they got to hang out for three days together. It was all about superheroes of the Bible, and they were learning about David. Here's a video of a song they sang.

The singing was at the end of the VBS party on Wednesday night. The kids all sang on stage and the teachers talked about what the kids had done while they were there. Hannah and Jenna had a great time and wanted it to last all week. The party also had cookies and juice, and the kids favorite...jumpy houses! After thinking about skipping the party because of the storm, we were glad that we made it there after all.

Welcome Lily Grace Boyle!!

Today around 9am, Pat and I gained a niece and the kids gained a cousin! Baby Lily Grace Boyle was born at 9 lbs. and 21 inches long. Mommy and baby are healthy. Pat and I got to see Lily tonight at the hospital and took pics to show the kids since they can't see her yet in the hospital. The kids liked the fountain outside the children's hospital and the Cinderella bench! Lily is so cute and we're all glad she's joined the family!

Museum of Science & Industry

Friday I took the kids to the Museum of Science & Industry in Chicago with my friend Ellen. I hadn't been there since Pat and I went years ago when we first moved here and the kids were first-timers of course. We missed having Pat there since he had to work, but it was nice of my friend Ellen to come along with us. The Museum has changed so much since I was there last, it seems like there are lots more things to do and see and we hardly saw a quarter of it I bet!

After we went through the big line to get in we checked out the Burlington Zephyr train. On the way to the other exhibits the kids ran to the Swiss Jolly Ball exhibit which they stayed at for a looong time! It's one of two in the world and it has a silver ball that goes through tunnels, tracks, slides, hotels, and mazes like a giant pinball kind of a setup. It wasn't a very large exhibit, but kept them busy! We went to the Farm area where the kids sat in a combine with a simulator that looked like they were threshing the field of corn, they pretended to milk cows, and more. Then we went through the crowded Circus area and to Ellen's, Hannah's and my favorite, the Colleen Moore Fairy Castle! It's very cool.

We ate lunch in the food court area which was very nice, because they let you bring your own food, so I just went back out to the car in the parking garage to get our cooler and we got to avoid the lines and mediocre, expensive food! Nice! After lunch our goal was to hit the Chick Hatchery and train exhibit before we had to go home. We went upstairs and came right upon another big train and the huge model train exhibit that had the Chicago skyline model, mountains, and a model of Seattle. Ryan was in train heaven!! The kids also got to play on an old trolley car and see planes hanging from the ceiling. The landing gear even goes up and down on the big Boeing in the transportation gallery. Ryan got a wax mold train to take home as a souvenir. After that we walked right for the Chick Hatchery that was so cute. The little chicks came right up to the kids and their little chirps were entertaining. Hannah and Josh especially liked this part. After that we headed home! Traffic was not fun, mostly because of the Blackhawks rally traffic leaving I imagine. Our trip there was easy, but couldn't say the same for our hour and 20minute trek home. Oh well, it was still fun!!

MSI Chicago Pics

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Michigan Weekend

This past weekend we drove to Michigan to celebrate my niece Jaelle's 8th birthday. I can't believe the oldest of the cousins is already 8-whew. Jaiden will be next to turn 8! Crazy! Anyway, Pat, Dad and Eric golfed on Saturday morning and Mom and I took the kids to the farmer's market and then we all got in the pool. Ryan is so funny, he just loves the pool, and as soon as his floaties were on his arms, and the cover was off of the pool-he was in!! I turned around and he was already swimming. Josh takes a while to warm up and sits on the steps for a while, but Hannah was pretty quick to follow Ryan in. They all love the water. The pool was nice and warm, but the sun didn't cooperate. It was fun anyway. Mom had made rhubarb pie and it was sooo yummy. I've decided that it is my favorite pie even over and above apple-who knew? Pat doesn't not share the same sentiment ;)

Jaelle's party was at 5:00pm at Jim and Elaine's house. The kids took short naps and we piled into the van to go with Mom and Dad. On the first pass, we flew right by their driveway since the Garmin was misleading us! Once we turned around, we noticed the sign and balloons and we made it back to the house. Jim and Elaine's is so beautiful. There was plenty of room for all the party guests to hang out and have a good time. Ryan liked their little dog Ralph, while Hannah and Josh headed for the hills every time he came near. Jaelle and all the cousins had fun running around with each other in spite of the rain that put a damper on the bonfire plans. It didn't matter tho' because everyone still had fun. Debbie made a delicious cake and Jaelle opened her presents and all was well. Thanks for having us guys!