Happy Birthday Timmy

On Sunday Feb 24th, we celebrated Timmy's 3rd Birthday!  Grandma and Grandpa were here along with Aunt Leslie, Uncle Steve, Aunt Jill and Uncle John.  Aunt Jen couldn't make it because she had to work at the last minute (you were missed!).  Anyway, Timmy wanted a train party so we went to Choo Choo Johnnies for our cake and ice cream (we had lunch at the house).  Timmy did much better with the candle this year, but it is still a work in progress.

I made Thomas cupcakes.

 They brought Timmy's ice cream and cupcake out on the train.

 Timmy wanted to sit with Uncle Steve. Can you see his apprehensive face?

 Timmy let Benny blow out his candle.

 Timmy really enjoyed his ice cream.

Before we went to Choo Choo Johnnies, Timmy opened up his gifts.  He received a Lightning McQueen pillow and a custom made quilt from Aunt Leslie and Uncle Steve.  He received some cool clothes from Grandma and Grandpa as well as a WALL-E lamp (which by the way works great as a nightlight). By this time, Benny speaks up and says, "Hey, where are the toys?"  Aunt Jill comes through with the Duplo Lego Farm.  I have to say that both boys play with those Legos everyday. 

D is for Dinosaur!

A few weeks ago Benny was working on the letter "d" for school, so we decided to take a field trip up to Rockford, IL to see Jane the T-Rex at the Burpee Museum of Natural History.

Here is a picture of Benny with Jane.

 Oh no, Look out behind you!

Inside the museum was and exhibit called "Rick's Pics".  The exhibit was all about the band "Cheap Trick". 

The display included many guitars.

 as well as photos and concert memorabilia.

 

Going through the exhibit all I could think about was listening to my Aunt Cyndi's Cheap Trick records when I was young.

Right next to the Burpee Museum, was the Discover Center.  This was a museum dedicated only to children of all ages.  There was a lot to do and see at this museum and we could have easily stayed there all day.

Benny had a blast at the water table.

 Timmy did too once we pulled him away from the trains.

 Timmy loved the trains.

 Timmy also loved playing with the farm equipment.

All in all, we had a fun day.  I think a return visit to Rockford will be planned soon.

Christmas Morning!

Brad had to work Christmas morning, so the kids had to wait until dad came home to open their presents.  They just played with the toys Santa brought them.  This year Benny received Hex Bugs from Santa and Timmy received the Cozy Coupe.  After dad came home, the wrapping paper was flying!

Benny wrote a note for Santa.  He drew a picture of the cookies that we left for him.

 Benny really wanted a snow globe and he received one.

 Thanks to Lego Star Wars, Benny's favorite Star Wars character is Boba Fett. He received a Boba Fett alarm clock for his room.

I received some new toys for the kitchen (a rice cooker, a stand mixer and a new baking dish).  Brad received a Christmas tie from the boys, a Cubs sweatshirt and dress shirt from me.  We had a great Christmas and we hope you did too!

Christmas with Family

The Saturday before Christmas, Lisa and the boys went to Jill and John's house in Decatur, Il to celebrate Christmas with Lisa's family.  Brad could not be there because he had to work.  We had a lot of fun.  The kids received a lot of fun gifts.  Looking forward to doing it next year.

Look at that pile of presents!

 What a festive fireplace.  Jill bought stockings for all of us.

 Timmy being held by his favorite Uncle, Uncle Steve.

 Benny opening one of his many presents, a hooded towel in the shape of a monkey.

Flight 93 Memorial

On our way home from Pennsylvania we decided to take Route 30 home.  We made time to stop at the Flight 93 National Memorial.  Although it is not completed yet, it was a very moving memorial to those men and women who sacrificed their all for others.

The sign from Route 30.

 There was a long walkway leading to the crash site.

 The wall with the names of those on the plane (listed alphabetically).

 Opposite view from the one above.  The plane crashed right before that rock.

 Along the path to the crash site there were little alcoves like the one below.  Each one had a little memento of remembrance.  My eyes welled up each time I saw it.

 Since we were there right before Christmas, there were wreaths there, One for each person killed.

Sweet Lights!

On our way home from the wedding, we stopped in Hershey, PA to take in the sights.  We took the kids to Hershey Park.  It was all decked out in Christmas lights.  Most of the kiddie rides were running and Benny had a blast.  Timmy just wanted to ride on the Carousel.  He also liked the Monorail and the train ride.

 It was a bit cold, so we were all bundled up.

 Santa was on a roller coaster.

 This little pirate ship was Benny's favorite ride.  He must have ridden it 5 or 6 times.

Christmas Wedding!

 The week before Christmas we were fortunate enough to attend a good friend's wedding in Pennsylvania.  Our friend Jim Franklin was marrying his true love Theresa. The wedding was held at Aldan Union Church.  This was the same church that Brad attended while growing up.

 

Here is the groom waiting for his bride.

The beautiful Bride! She sang "God bless the Broken Road" by Rascal Flatts as she came down the aisle.

 The Happily Married Couple!

Benny and Johnny playing Angry Birds while waiting for the wedding to start.

 Our silly boys having fun during the reception.

Benny and Timmy were two out of three boys at the reception.  Here is how they had fun at the reception.