Chicago Trip ~ March 2012

During Will's spring break his friend Lukas got

to come stay with us for a few days! It worked out

perfect! We took the boys to Chicago for an overnight

stay. The first place we stopped at was the

Lincoln Park Zoo.

in the conservatory

The polar bear was having fun playing

with a ball.

Lots of fish!

Rhett loved the hippo! He plopped himself

down on the floor to watch the hippo underwater.

The hippo was putting on a show!

giraffes

One of Will's favs...the meer cats!

beautiful tulips everywhere

The tiger...

monkeys

The gorillas were all of our favorites!

We watched them for about 30 min. They were putting

on a show for us. This one here was taunting the

silverback. He was using the sheet, mulch and

beating his chest to get the silverback to play with him.

It was so interesting to watch.

The silverback was HUGE...but he was playing so

gentle with the younger gorilla.

cheetah

The LP zoo is located in the city. It is

so neat because the locals run through the

zoo...also, the zoo does not charge for

admission. AMAZING!

the boys

After we left the zoo, we drove through

Lincoln Park...what a cute district!

Then, the boys wanted to go to the Lego store

and eat at Cheesecake Factory!

Rhett picked out a ninjago head piece at

the lego store. Lukas picked him out a

souvenir too.

enjoying the bread at cheesecake

and the cheesecake too...they did eat dinner in

between...but I think the bread and the dessert was

their favorite

The city at night from our car. Lukas was so amazed

because he had not been to Chicago before. He said, I have

not ever seen a taxi before so it is neat to see some. There

were lots!

To top off the night...swimming at the hotel!

Wow, what a fun spring break!

We were so glad Lukas got to join us

for this trip! The boys had so much

fun together!

Ann Arbor, Michigan

The weekend before we moved, we took a day trip

to Ann Arbor, Michigan. Will did not go with us because

he was spending time with Lukas. We had lunch at

a delicious place...Zingerman's! You have to try it!

Zingerman's has different locations in Ann Arbor.

We checked out the restaurant and the bakehouse/cafe.

The restaurant is decorated so cute!

the bar

a collection of salt and pepper shakers

a first come first serve counter

The server we had was so nice. He shared info about

the restaurant and sight seeing places to hit in the town.

He also brought us a sample plate to nibble on while

we waited! Now, who does that? He was GREAT!

J and Rhett

me and Rhett

The flowerbeds are covered in oyster shells.

I had never seen this done before...unique to the

restaurant.

The roadshow & to-go is located on the

side of the restaurant.

You can walk up and pick up your call

in order or drive thru and pick it up.

The town is just like any other college town.

Busy with students walking everywhere.

State Farm bus in front of "The Big House."

The University of Michigan stadium is "BIG!"

Another part of town has some very, very cute

shopping! Also, Zingerman's Cafe is located there.

So we had to check it out!

Rhett had a chocolate pound cake...he ate it up!

Homemade gelto made here.

Candy too!

J checked out Zingerman's own coke.

It is yummy!

Rhett had fun dancing in front of the sweets.

If you get a chance to visit Ann Arbor, then you

will have to check out Zingerman's!

Update

Well, we are moved in! We only have

the basement and guest bedroom to unpack.

We will work on those 2 rooms this week.

Mimi is coming next Thursday so we want

all the boxes to be gone by the time she arrives.

We have been working hard and playing too.

We have 2 boys that like to have fun!

So, that means we can not work all the time!

St. Patrick's Day 2012

Outback for dinner!

Will's favorite and becoming Rhett's too.

(just for the chocolate bread)

We took the boys to the "Bloomington

Blaze" last hockey game of the season.

It was fun. Rhett had his pic with "Scorch"

the mascot.

The next weekend we took the boys to

and indoor football game. We have never

been to one. The field is half of and outdoor

one. The team is "The Edge." It was

a great game and changed with only 1 min.

left on the clock. We won!

Rhett had his pic with "Spike" the mascot.

The half time entertainment was hilarious!

This man had to be from the South...he was

so good! He had 2 monkeys and they were

riding dogs to herd some goats into a fenced area.

He had an inspirational speech at the end of the show.

It was touching...telling kids to follow their dreams.

He had a dream in 1962 to own a monkey and he

owns 2! He loves the monkeys! Guess what?...I thought

the monkeys were strapped to the dogs but they were not.

He picked the monkey up, gave him a hug and kiss and then

put the monkey right back on the dog. They love to ride!

I think Will laughed so much he was crying. It was good

entertainment!

Will decided to have his pic made with

the cheerleader/dancer!

Wow, did not know she was showing

so much until I looked at the pic.

Rhett picked the mascot, Will picked the

cheerleader! (I do not even think Will noticed!)

Fun times here in Bloomington!

Update