Deck the Halls

Christmas at the Square

After Thanksgiving, we decided to try out Lockport Park District's Christmas at the Square event this year. It was a nice sunny day, although brisk, and we wanted to go check out the scene. They had live reindeer, Santa and his helpers, a wood carver, sleigh ride, mini train ride, and more inside activities that we didn't venture in to do due to our love our crowds. Although it felt like most of our time there was spent standing in line, the event was still fun. The best part was Dad's call on our way home though that mom had come home from the hospital that afternoon-yeah!

 

On the sleigh ride, crammed into one bench!

Sleigh riding through town

Hannah's Brownie Troop Trim-a-Tree

Hannah had a beautiful day for her first Brownie troop trim-a-tree at Brookfield Zoo. The girls all got together and hung the ornaments they had made at their meetings. It was cute and Hannah loves her Brownie buddies! After the tree trimming a few of us walked around the zoo since it was so nice out and checked out the animals. We got to see the seals and sea lions being fed, and lots of the other animals were out and about too. 

Hannah and her Brownie Troop

Carving Pumpkins

Today we finally carved our pumpkins. The kids got into pulling out the "guts" this year, except for Ryan. He preferred to use a paper towel as a "glove" to try to get his seeds and pulp out of his pumpkin. I won't mention where he got that idea ;) They each decided what design they wanted for their pumpkins, and then I carved them for them. Not sure what age I'll let them wield a knife or saw! Anyway, it was fun, and here are the results...

Happy Halloween from the Kelly's!

A Perfect Fall Day

Mom and Dad came over from St. Joe at the end of September. The boys were so excited to see them that they set up chairs in the dining room to watch for them.

Evidently, once they arrived I was bad at taking pics, because I notice I have NONE with them in them!! :( It was a beautiful day. When they got here we went to Portillo's for lunch for some beefs, salads, and hotdogs and then over to Melka Garden Landscaping to check out their fall fun. They had a jumpy house, games, animals, and pumpkins. The kids had a great time. We made a scarecrow there, all you had to do was bring your own clothes and they supplied the straw and the burlap for a head. Josh and Hannah started out alright helping, but only did a couple handfuls before they tired of it. Dad, Mom, and I finished it up and the kids named him "Oscar."

After the pumpkin place, Pat and Dad went to golf Broken Arrow while the kids, Mom, and I hung out at the house, playing outside and of course the boys had to play some Wii. Mom and I had fun catching up, and Hannah played with her new "PaperJamz" listening to herself sing. It was a nice day.

A blue heron on the fountain out back

We had to hit another Chicago classic for dinner, Lou Malnati's, and then Mom and Dad went back home to the Joe. It was so nice to see them. Good times!

Josh & Ryan's First Eye Doctor Visit

Today we went for the boys' first eye dr. Visit for school since they need to have one done for Kindergarten. They kind of had an idea of what was coming since Hannah had gone prior to this visit, but they still asked me, "will it hurt?" Both of them did great and didn't need glasses. They were most excited to get the "sunglasses," stickers, and tootsie rolls. Great job guys!

Summer's Last Hurrah

Pat had the week before school started off from work so we had a "staycation" with the kids. We had some good weather, and we also had two rainy days (which we kind of needed to rest!). Here's what we did...

Saturday

We slept in, and then took advantage of the beautiful day by going to nearby Tampier Lake to go take out a rowboat since the kids have always wanted to try it. Well, we got there and the rowboat attendant told us that these big boats only can have four people in them (even with the size of our kids, etc). So, we were walking away kind of bummed and the kids were starting to cry when Pat suggested I just take them out since I was going to be the one rowing anyway since his shoulder is hurt. I thought about it a little, and then decided that I would try it. The kids were totally into it aside from they kept thinking we were going to tip over (when there really was no danger of this). I let them all try rowing and they thought it was fun. We were out there for an hour and then we were ready to row in since there were flies bothering us. All in all, it was a fun time. After that we had to go satisfy Pat's craving for an El Gallo burrito for dinner. The kids love to go out to eat no matter where it is. They behave much better these days, and actually eat their food (bonus).

Sunday
Today was another mild weather day, so we went to Challenge Fitness to play tennis at their courts and we also took Hannah's bike without her training wheels so she and Pat could practice riding on the nice open paths there by the courts. Josh and Hannah tried to hit the ball back and forth a little, but then they lose interest and do something else, but Ryan really wanted to work hard at practicing and he got so he could hit the ball back over the net a couple of times. He really liked it and was very determined. I wish I had pics but I was running all over the court. I even got Pat to hit me some balls so I could have a workout :) Later we had a "firecamp" back at home with s'mores-yum!

Monday-it rained-boo...

Tuesday and Wednesday
On Tuesday we dropped by the kids' open house at school and met their teachers. Josh and Ryan have the same Kindergarten teacher that Hannah had. They all liked seeing their rooms and Hannah even got to pick out which desk she wanted to sit in (front row) and put her school supplies into it already. The boys were excited to meet their teacher for the first time, and Ryan gave her a big hug (of course). After taking care of business, we hit the road to drive to the beach in St. Joe. Here are some Joe highlights:

Yummy panini!

 

Goin' out for a swim...

We went out to walk the pier and try to catch a sunrise before we went back home...

Classic

Thursday
It rained...we did go out to eat at Mo's Chinese Kitchen-our fave Chinese place.

Friday
On Friday, we went downtown to see the practice for the Air and Water Show from Navy Pier and to get some Garrett Popcorn, of course! We ran into Pat's friend Mike and his son Ken, so the kids played with him a bit. We ended up watching the Blue Angels from the end of Navy Pier with some more of Mike's family that Pat has known since childhood. It was a fun afternoon. We also toured a military ship that was docked at Navy Pier for the weekend...

Playing with Ken

Watching for jets and planes

 It was a great afternoon of fun and family time! After Navy Pier, Pat and the kids dropped me off at my friend Heather's in Lincoln Square. Later Heather, Kerri, who came in from Indiana, and I got to catch up on old times at dinner out at Epic back downtown. A perfect end to the day!!