Showing posts with label Steve. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Steve. Show all posts

Monday, December 19, 2011

Christmas in Chicago

We met up in Chicago with Chris's parents and brother this Saturday (it's only about 1.5 hrs from here). It was great to be with them, and I was able to pass off a box of wrapped presents instead of shipping them, but what a zoo!

The first stop was the Lego store on Michigan Ave.

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The pictures don't show it, but it was pretty crowded. Not idea situation for two little boys who have been saving their chore money for months to spend on this day. Chris's brother Jon took Nate around and around the store, finally selecting 3 things (spending every dollar he had to spend). Andy picked out one thing, then just wanted to build with the Legos.

Next we grabbed some lunch. Did some coloring.
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We were seated right by the window and a Santa bicycle gang rode by (probably a hundred? a bunch of people dressed up in Santa costumes, as well as a few dradles and a few elves). We would see them through out the rest of the day.

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After lunch we walked over to Christkindl Market where the boys bought a nutcracker. On our way there, we stopped in Macy's to get hats for Trudy and Jon (it was cold! The boys had long underwear on under their pants). Christmas widow displays spotted. (I was more taken by my little boy observing them, than the displays themselves)

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Andy tried on hats too, but decided his own was the best.

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I felt like a paparazzi snapping photos as we walked, but I knew Chris would want to see it (he was at the office working). Nate laying his head on Jon's shoulder as Jon carried him because Nate was cold and just waned held. (Doesn't he look huge?) Andy holding on to Kapka's hand everywhere. I wasn't impressed by Chicago at Christmastime, but I was so glad we went for all of the tiny snippets of sweet memories we created that day. Such as, the bus was too crowded on the way back to the hotel for Chris's dad to sit with us, so he stood in the back and held on to the rail. The boys and Steve blew kisses back and forth and waved and such the whole ride back. It was adorable heart warming.

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Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Happy Birthday, Trudy and Steve

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Happy birthday to my truly wonderful mother-in-law and father-in-law.
You raised an amazing son who is a gentle, thoughtful father and patient, compassionate husband.
I will be forever grateful for this.

Even from my earliest memories, you have always been kind and patient, generous and good. Marrying so young, we needed a gentle, guiding hand to help us figure things out, and you guys were just that. I love that I know you so well. That we were able to spend our first 6 years of marriage living only a few miles away. Going out for pizza on Friday. Sunday dinners on... well, Sunday. Meeting up for lunches frequently during the week. The guys golfing on Saturday, and Trudy and I spending the day together, working on projects, shopping at country stores (I miss that one in Amana!), developing a love for TJ Maxx (which still holds strong today!) I felt instantly included and part of the family, equal in all things, including love. I think I have taken this for granted, not realizing how rare a gift it was....thank you. I am so lucky to have married Chris not only for the wonderful man that he is, but also for the wonderful family that I married in to- constantly and unconditionally supportive in all things. I know I would not be the mother and wife I am today without you. Thank you. I love you.

Happy Birthday.