Day 10

Our last day of Taylor Family fun, we trekked down to Chicago to the Museum of Science and Industry. Picture one always has the train as a backdrop, since it is in the entrance before you go in. This time though, we took the picture under the train, just to shake things up a bit. 

The rest of the pictures are again, all incredibly out of order from the direction things went, but I just really dont feel like moving them all.

 In the tornado wind tunnel...

Somehow, its much more enjoyable experiencing tornado winds when you arent stuck down in the basement. Go figure.

 This time, the favorited baby chicks were just hatching!

 Of course they still had the slightly older, fluffed out cute ones too!

 Model trains. Always one of Zacks favorites. Just look at those two cute Y fans!

 In front of the U boat.

Brylee insisted I take a picture of her lying in the mock submarine bed. Then of course, where does she choose to put her hand for the picture?

  Gettin their dance on in the colorful bublles room.

 Another one of Brylees favorites, involving balls.

 If you cant tell, the tubes blow out air and send the balls hovering over them.

And we cant leave out the light up dress. Someday, the girls could be wearing this style!

In space world, we let Zack get the plastic mold of a rocket. Brylee decided to make it equally hers... 

 did I say equally?

All the kids enjoy the waterworks play area.

More balls to play with.

 Put them up the air tube, watch them fly across to the other side, repeat...

 A lesson in weight and scales. 

 Making the highest tower in the world!

 So proud of herself!

 And cows, for all the Wisconsinites! Theres that trouble with two cameras again! No...look this way everyone!

 Everyone has to learn to how to milk a cow in their life. Never know when that could come in handy!

Zack enjoyed the old firetrucks while the girls ooh'd and ahhd at the giant dollhouse castle. 

And we end with more tornados. No wind pressure this time, just a spinny vortex of steam.

We hope the Taylor cousins all had as much fun or more this time than last! We sure enjoy having them visit. Now can I take a nap? Phew...

Love ya guys! (0;

Pilot in training

I am having trouble falling asleep tonight, so I thought, why not catch up on the blog? As usual, Im a tad bit behind. These first pictures were actually taken on July 7th. We live about 3 minutes from the little city airport and someone told us they were having old planes flown in and you could get in for free to check them out. The girls didnt seem all that interested, so Ryan and Zack made it a guys day out. Unfortunately, either Ryan forgot the camera, or it ran out of batteries or something (see what happens when you procrastinate posting...you forget small meaningless details!), and his phone doesnt take pictures...another story about that I wont get into. So ANYWAY, this kind woman decided to help him out in preserving our memories with her cell phone and emailed them to Ryan. After a few shots she finally asked Zack to stop grabbing himself in the pictures which Ryan was a bit surprised by but well...

 we see her point. Boys...whatdya do bout that? So excuse any other pictures that contain, well...that. Just take a look at all those cool planes! The boy was in heaven!

4th of July Celebrations

The morning of the 4th was started just like any other traditional 4th of July-with birthday presents! Since it is Katelins party year, she only got one family gift...something she has been begging for-a lava lamp! 

And also as tradition states, the kids get all the credit for it! Oh well, whatever builds the bonds of sibling-hood. 

After lunch, a friend reminded me that I have a reputation to uphold, and she wanted to get her daughter in on it. Thank you Carrie for reminding me that I have to do some sort of cute celebratory hair style. ~sigh~ Normally I dont forget things like that...well, sometimes I dont. But this particular day I was running around frazzled and stressed because we had an appraiser coming to look at our house the next morning, and I knew I wouldnt be home the rest of the day to clean. Unfortunately the morning of July 4th was a little late to purchase any festive hair accessories. Fortunately, all I had to do was conjure up some red ribbon. Dont look too closely at Alissas recycled red and white heart valentine ribbons. 

With stars and ribbons in their hair, we were off to the parade! The kids were all excited to get handed free flags...for about 2 minutes. Then they landed in the wagon so they could have both hands free to catch the candy flying their way.

Next on the agenda was a trip out to Lake Michigan to go boating with our friends until fireworks. I decided its awesome to have friends with boats. Might have to get a few more...or maybe its just easier to buy the boat. Anyway, the kids all had a blast...

well, except for this one!

Just look at that face. No, she isnt in the mood and doesnt want to talk about it! She preferred to be in my lap covered with a towel the entire time to shield her from the horror.

While Brylee cowered under her towel, the rest of us took turns being pulled behind the boat on this baby!

This was the last time I wore those sunglasses. The next trip was was Ryan, Caden and I. Jim (the driver) decided to try and tip us (Ryan in particular) off. Carrie assured us that the tube has never...ever flipped! So I felt pretty safe, especially with their son on board with us. Big mistake. Yes, we were the first ones to ever get flipped over and off the tube. I feel so special. Oh, and in case you were wondering...Lake Michigan feels pretty much like an ice bath. Thanks Jimmy Boy!

After a few hours we went back to the marina to take a potty/ birthday donut break. Brylee is much happier when the boat is stopped. (: The plan was to go back out and watch the fireworks from the boat, but I guess we took about 5 minutes too long because they had just closed the canal to the lake so we had to sit back in the marina and watch from there. Still better than squishing on a crowded lawn breathing cigarette smoke, but a little disappointing nonetheless.

We arrived back home in record post firework time, and 2 days later after recovering from hot sun, ice cold lake water, late nights and Mr. Appraiser, we were all refreshed and ready to get our Aloha on. 

Katelin started off her party in the morning, by opening the gift that arrived from some of her Taylor family.

The birthday celebration for year #10, consisted of a good ol Wisconsin Luau!

Flip Flops on the beach cupcakes...

a big old pitcher of tropical punch (apparently, Brylee was upset by the lack of space created for her around the dispenser! Sometimes shes moody, but we give her a break because well, she is 3 after all)...

some bbq chicken, fruit and rolls...

cant forget Luau attire...

and whats a Luau without a little Limbo? How low can you go?

Everyone has their own style...

Hoola Hoop games...

Hawaiian Pictionary...

A pinata...

presents, of course...

Fire!...

wishes...

and 3 hours later, we ran out of things to do. Have no idea whos crazy idea it was to have a 4 1/2 hour party (ahem...Katelin)! So we busted out a game of headbands.

There was also some hula dancing in there too, but Im not going to post picts of that since only 2 of the guests were brave enough to get up and try it; and of course they werent our kids! As soon as it got dark enough, we lit a fire and roasted (burned) marshmallows. Even when it got dark, it was still so hot outside that the kids all headed inside and ended up watching Phineas and Ferb until their parents arrived. Going to need another 2 days of re-coup time after that one! 

Happy Birthday America and Happy Birthday Katelin! 

(at least it better have been!)