Exploring and MUD!

We went exploring on Friday and found some cool ice puddles (oxymoron?), pine cones, abandoned golf balls, feathers, and mud. We had fun seeing if the "ice puddles" were strong enough to support our weight. We also checked out how the ice looked under the glassy top surface. It was a fun exploration!

This picture actually shows Trevor's foot caked in mud. His foot on the left of the photo is actually raised up and surrounded in mud. The boys LOVED getting in the mud (don't all boys love it?).

Projects at Oma's & Opa's

It's been fun helping Oma and Opa finish some projects that they've been trying to get done. I helped them get their HUGE T.V. hooked up. We had to build a support system into the built-in cabinet that would support the weight of the TV. It was a tough project but mostly because of the awkward weight and height of trying to mount the TV onto the bracket. It's on and looks great. In addition, I also helped them hook up the sound system, and the DVD player. It was awesome to watch our first movie on the new system.... Mamma Mia - It was great!

I helped with getting their slide out garbage system installed

and also hung some curtain rods in my moms room. I have to say I'm not a big fan of being on a ladder trying to drill and screw things into awkward spots. It's done though and it looks GREAT!!!

What do you do on Sunday when you're waiting for afternoon church?

When church doesn't start until 1:00 in the afternoon - you take a "fun" bath in Oma's awesome bathtub!

The boys had a great time playing in the bathtub and creating funky hair!

Nothing says love like Sports!

So our Valentines Day was all about love...

oh and sporting events!

Trevor & Opa (and I for a bit) watched the Syracuse/Georgetown game - quite the nail biter, but Yay they won!

Then that evening Oma & Opa surprised the boys with a special treat - the boys first Hockey Game! The Quad City Flames were playing the San Antonio Rampage. The Flames won 7 to 3! It was a pretty exciting game!

Here's the boys with their new QC Flames shirts!

and YES there was a fight. It wouldn't be a hockey game without a fight and player's getting ejected from the game.

Choo-Choo

We did it!

We made our first train ride!

The boys were great on the trip out to Chicago

(then on to Quad Cities).

Here's our trip -

We left from the Syracuse train station on Thursday evening about 10:45pm (the train was running an hour late).

Here are the boys.... waiting.... and waiting... and waiting...

Finally we're on the train and ready for a "rocking" sleep!

Morning came early (about 6:00am or so) and then we heading down to the dining car (about 7 cars back from our train car). We sat down for a big breakfast (french toast / eggs / sausage).

The boys had fun going between train cars pushing the cool button to open the door and walking in between the cars on the moving car connectors. The boys also had fun trying to walk when the train was rocking a bit (both boys ended up in other people's laps when we swayed a bit too much - luckily they're kids and people are much more forgiving when a cute kid bumps them).

Here's the boys... just chillin'!

We made it into the Chicago Union Station by about 10:45 central time on Friday morning. Oma and Opa were there to pick us up. We made a stop at Costco and McD's for lunch and then headed out to the Quad Cities Area where Oma and Opa live (actually in LeClaire, IA). We made it there by about 3pm. We chilled for a bit and then went to the grocery store and to my FAVORITE fast-food restaurant - Chick-fil-a (YUM)! We had a great day!

Heading to Iowa!

I know it seems strange to vacation in Iowa - but that's where Oma & Opa are! The boys and I are leaving tonight on an Amtrak train! It's our first train ride... it should be "fun". We're all excited to have a change of scenery, and a little break from life!

Everybody loves a Parfait!

My sweetie made parfaits for us tonight! It was a nice surprise!
Chocolate pudding, strawberries, and whipped cream - YUMMY!!!

I love Trevor's expression! So funny!