Halloween 2013

When we asked James early this fall what we wanted to be for Halloween this year he immediately said, "A drum major!"  Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that we were at the Gopher football game and saw the marching band perform that same day, but when we had made up his mind there wasn't any way Mom or Dad were going to talk him out of it - and it just so happened that it hit a soft spot in both of their hearts.  With James as a drum major, Henry was deemed to become a member of the band - perfect!  Of course we didn't stray away from the U of MN marching band uniform design and colors - as that's what we know and could model the costumes after. 

Mom got to work on the costumes in late September and with some felt fabric and crafty cutting skills, puffy paint and stitch-witchery - no sewing was required!  Mom and Dad were pretty excited to see these costumes come together and they were a pretty cute duo everywhere they went.  Mom bought matching band hats and James carried a whistle and a mace (c/o of Auntie Aimee and her baton) and Henry had a little play trumpet to complete his ensemble.  Hopefully this isn't a future prediction to his instrument choice :)  James loved his costume and Henry eventually learned to keep his on and not let it bother him.

We got the chance to attend Como's Zoo Boo this year once again and Henry enjoyed giving all the characters high-fives and hugs.  The boys also had a little party at school on Halloween and of course they ventured out in the neighborhood to trick-or-treat as well.  James was thrilled with his loot and I believe he's still finishing some of it up - just in time for Santa to bring something more! :)

Last but not least, carving pumpkins this year was fun too!  James was a great assistant cleaning out all the "goop!"  He was probably most excited though about eating up the seeds we roasted after finishing up our carvings for the night.  They turned out great and we managed to keep the squirrels away from them this year with the assistance of some bleach spray.

 

 

 

 

Boys and Trains - Chicago Marathon Trip

Earlier this year when Papa got notification that he got a lottery spot in the 2013 Chicago Marathon we thought this would be a great opportunity for a fun family trip with the boys and in the process  visit some family down in the area. 

We definitely met those objectives in early October when we road tripped across MN, WI and IL - visited family along the way, Matt ran his heart out in a city he was born in and loves so much, and the boys loved every minute of it!

Leaving on Thursday afternoon we first stopped in Wisconsin Rapids for a short visit with Great Grandma Clark.  She was happy to see the boys and they loved exploring her home and all of the toys she has in her toy closest! 

We hit the road on early Friday morning w/ downtown Chicago as our afternoon destination to pick up Matt's race packet.  We arrived outside of Rockford just before lunch time and hopped aboard a Metra commuter train traveling inbound to the city.  Boys enjoyed lunch on the train and loved watching the scenery pass us by on the way into the city and Henry eventually fell asleep.

 

When we arrived at Union Station we hopped aboard a CTA Elevated train to take us to a spot where we could catch a shuttle bus to McCormick Center to pick up Matt's race packet and tour the marathon expo.  Boys got quite a kick out of all the trains and we're fascinated by all the sounds of the city.  James finally fell asleep from all the excitement too.

We spent some time at Millenium Park after we picked up the race packet.  Boys got to see more trains and James loved seeing the bean!  We had some great Italian food to carb up Papa for his race on Sunday and we then headed back out of the city via the Metra to spend the evening at cousin Kim and Jason's house in Roscoe.

Saturday was spent with cousins and Aunt Debbie at the apple orchard and what started as a fun morning on a gloomy day resulted in us taking shelter in a little house waiting for the rain to "pass" - which is never did, so we made a run for it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Church service followed by wonderful Chicago style pizza dinner before going to asleep early - in order to get to the city in time for the start of Matt's race the next morning.

 

Sunday was raceday!  An early departure from Aunt Debbie's house in Elgin to get Matt downtown with time to spare proved to be easier than we thought it would be with the kiddos.  They were surprisingly cooperative - though didn't fall asleep in the van again as we hoped they would :)  Our adventures to finding our parking spot in downtown Chicago was met with laughter and shooing Matt out of the van to get to the starting line.  Thankful for map aps on our iPhone - we eventually found the spot after some racing through alleyways :)

Racetime!  We tried to find Matt at the 1 mile marker, but he ended up running with a different pacing group than he told us he would, so we missed him, but regardless the boys enjoyed cheering on all the runners and seeing all the people.  Most exciting?  Getting high fives from runners who couldn't resist their cheers!

 

We made it to the 1/2 marathon mile marker (13.1 miles) and Momma saw Matt at this point, but it was brief and Matt didn't see us.  Over 45,000 people run this race - and the crowd support was phenomenal - so it was hard to get to the road to pick people out but with the assistance of a blue bandana tied around his head from Aunt Debbie he somewhat stood out in the crowd!  James at this time needed a potty break - this is when you somewhat wished your child was still in diapers.  Trying to find a place with a potty on a Sunday morning in downtown Chicago with marathon traffic to cross proved difficult, but we safely made it to McDonald's a few blocks away and all was well!

We lastly bustled ourselves to the end of the marathon route near mile 25 and again saw Matt and cheered him on before he looped back into the park for the Finish Line.  He achieved his goal of running in in 4.5 hours and loved the course and the city sights!

We connected with him afterwards and the boys gave Papa lots of hugs and kisses for his accomplishment!

 

 

We drove back to Elgin, packed up the van and said our goodbyes to Aunt Debbie as the boys slept in the van before driving to Rockford for the night.  We had a nice family dinner with the boys and spent Sunday evening playing in the pool (and jumping on the beds!) at the hotel with the cousins who came to hang out! 

Monday morning - after breakfast and another swim in the pool, we hit the road to come home.  A fun weekend in a great city!  We hope to get the boys to Chicago again and spend more time in the city checking things out.  Nonetheless they loved what they did see and still continue to talk about the trains!

Visiting Goldy's House

James and Henry have both had the opportunity to visit TCF Stadium (aka Goldy's House according to James) this fall on a few occasions - once for a football game and another for a donor event for the marching band program.

 

James continues to be enthralled with visiting Goldy's House and was quite excited to show the place off to Henry - from walking out on the field to catch a band rehearsal to sitting in the stands and attempting to share a seat during the football game.  Henry enjoyed trying to sneak bites of James' pretzel snack ... and most importantly the cheese sauce between plays in the game.

 

 

We continue to hold our football season tickets and are hopeful to go to a game as a family of four someday where it isn't so crazy and we can actually sit and watch the game  - as you can imagine it's exhausting at this stage of their lives.  Whether it's a potty run or just crawling in and out of the seats the entire time - Momma needed a nap after this game day outing!

 

 

I'm not sure who enjoys coming to campus more - them, or Momma and Papa?

State Fair Edition - 2013

Somehow we managed to visit the MN State Fair this year as a family on the busiest day of the entire Fair run.  Albeit it was finally cool enough to enjoy it and it wasn't raining - so we can't complain too much beyond the crazy crowds.  The boys didn't seem to mind too much given they were escorted around the Fair grounds in their double stroller (i.e., their "chariot") for the day.

The boys enjoyed lots of good eats (including Sweet Martha cookies, Tom Thumb donuts and Dairy Building shakes), people watching, animal sightings, and seeing the marching band in the daily afternoon parade. 

 

 

Both boys enjoyed the Little Farm Hands exhibit - new to Henry but a repeat for James.  They were excited to get their ice cream treat after they sold all their goods to the market at the end!

 

James took his first solo turn at some rides in the Kiddie Midway (and one with Papa too!) - and we thought we'd never get him to leave.  He loved it!

 

 

We made a day of it - and everyone was exhausted when we got home.  Boys got a kick out of riding the shuttle bus to and from the Fair grounds and Momma and Papa were happy not to have to deal w/ parking and traffic ourselves.

Momma and Papa note that this seems to be a tradition that will continue - as seems it never gets old - since they've been going every year for as long as they can remember.

Caution - James's 4th Birthday Party - Construction Ahead

James 4th birthday party in early August was quite the bash thanks to the creative minds of Grandma and Grandpa Clark.  They already had some props made up from a themed puppet show performance at church to support our "construction" theme so they ran with it and James loved it!!!  James had lots of family, friends from our college gang and their kids, and Sunday school and daycare friends in attendance - it was quite the party!

We approached the house with a warning phone call that we were close - Grandma and Grandpa and Great Grandma wanted to be ready to see James' reaction as we pulled up and this is him beginning to realize what was in store for his party!

 

The biggest hit of the party was the small bobcat parked in the driveway that Grandpa and Grandma borrowed from their friend, "Digger Dan" at church.  It was used the following day to do some work in their yard (and James got to help with that the following day too!) so it just arrived a day early for James' party.  The kids has a blast climbing in and out of it and it made for some cute pictures!  No worries here - no keys were left in the machine so the kids were safe, minus the dirt and rust that I think every kid went home with.

Each kid got a construction hat with their name on it and a work apron - some were more willing than others to don them for the afternoon.  Henry wasn't so sure about all the commotion.

 

 

 

Grandma and Grandpa had some games set up outside for the kids to play with.  The ring toss onto cones and the bean bag game were big hits!

 

 

We are so thankful that three of James' great-Grandma's were in attendance for his party and that they live close enough to celebrate these milestones with us.  It was a wonderful day to be outside and the Great Grandmas enjoyed chatting with each other and seeing all the kids have fun!

  

 

 

James picked out his cake a few weeks before his party and was pretty excited when we went to pick it up the morning of the party.  It went with the theme of the party perfectly and was enjoyed by all!

 

 

 

The children that participate in the puppet ministry at Grandma and Grandpa's church came and put on a performance of their puppet show.  The kids enjoyed it so much the first time around that they did it twice!  

 

 

A few family pictures before we called it a day!  A fun party and good times were had by all!  James was a dirty little guy after all the playing he did that afternoon - so much so that he needed to take a bath before his nap!  Guess it was a sign of a great day!

 

 

After nap time we opened gifts.  He was so surprised and excited about all the things he got from cars and trucks, to clothes with baseball players on them, games and stickers.  But his favorite?

 

 

A tent!  Which he has proceeded to sleep in every time he's at Grandma and Grandpa's now (inside albeit) - a great gift for our little camper!