July 20 - Pat is under the weather

Pat woke up Saturday morning with fever and feeling tired. She has been doing lots of sleeping.

Each day her fever would come and go and she always hoped 'tomorrow' would be better.  After visit with Doctor this morning, determined she has a Kidney infection.  Let's hope the pills get her back on her feet soon!

July 15-16

 Thursday morning, up and at 'em on the 7:30 train to Chicago

The troops heading to the Amtrak Station

 Brady looking down the tracks for the train...

We met Michael and Brooke at the Marriott on Michigan Avenue and settled into our 35th floor room with a beautiful view of the city and Lake Michigan.  

And then off to Navy Pier - hot and humid.   The kids rode rides (Brooke and i did the big ferris wheel, too) and then we had lunch at the Mexican Cantina followed by great fun at the Children's Museum.  

Here are some highlights...

 

Brooke with the "D's" at the top of the ferris wheel

Michael fitting Drew with the "perfect" Cub hat!

Sweet Brady riding Thomas the Train at Navy Pier

Davis the builder at the Children's Museum

Took the El (my first time and what a CROWD) to Wrigley Field and here's our gang before the game started.

After hot dogs, nachos, cotton candy, peanuts, beer, slushies, Pepsi, lemon shake-ups, etc., etc., AND a 12-6 Cub win, it was just thee best day!

Two very tired little Cub fans riding the El back to the hotel

Friday morning we said our goodbyes as we left for Union Station and the train ride home and they flew back to NC.   All 5 grandsons really put the miles on their little legs and we have so many memories of cute things they said and all we did this past week!    Mark and I so enjoyed this special time and extra fun to see the cousins enjoy one another and sad to say good bye.   We are going thru a GOOD, HAPPY tired tonight!

We arrived home, unpacked, repacked and then I had therapy (another grueling session) with a warm ultrasound treatment.   Lee and I talked about why I'm still having all this pain after the manipulation?    I see the doctor next week, so lots of questions.    He took measurements and my range of motion is improving, but still freezing and scar tissue in there!!!

We are now on the boat this evening - had a sandwich at Crawdad's and enjoying Catrina's cool air after another hot summer day.    Tomorrow evening is Mark's 45th high school class reunion and we'll spend the night with his parents.   Next therapy is 4:30 Monday, but as always, have my pulleys, ball, etc. with me!

Enjoy your weekend!

July 14

CONNOR is 4. CONNOR is 4, CONNOR is 4, CONNOR is 4

And here's the birthday boy with his brother and cousin

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CONNOR

Anne brought her boys over this morning and Grandpa went to get Krispy Kreme donuts.   Davis was the sleepy-head again.    I had therapy with Jim and when I got home we all piled into the "bus" with our picnic lunch and off to the Sugar Grove Nature Center where we spent 2 hours exploring, climbing, running, jumping, etc., etc., etc.

After checking out things indoors and saying "Hi" to Miss Nadine (Grandma's friend), Grandpa led the way to all the outdoor fun!

Liam and Brady in the sandbox

Tree-climber, Drew

Drew and Connor in the tree house

Walking across the creek

Grandpa and the boys taking a break resting on the hammock on a hot, steamy morning

In the corn crib

After the 3 little ones napped, they all played "kitchen" concocting goodies down in the basement with whatever treats they could find in Grandma's pantry.  My oh my, did they have fun!

We had a picnic at the park after Connor's soccer practice and then home with the NC boys for showers/shampoos and finish up the packing.    The children are now all "nestled in their beds"!

Tomorrow, we are taking Drew, Davis and Brady to Chicago on the 7:30 train and meeting their Mom and Dad.   We'll enjoy a day doing fun stuff topped off by the Cubs/Phillies game at night.    So...no blog till Friday.   Here's to a great weekend!

July 13

WOW!!!  What a big day packing in a lot of fun!  The boys were up bright and early, except Davis who slept till almost 9:00.   Drew, by the way, is 110% and then some - whatever "bug" he had on Saturday is long gone!!!

After going so strong all day yesterday, thought these guys would sleep in????    Hanging out in their jammies and ready to take on another day...

We spent the morning at the Children's Discovery Museum (the boys could've spent the entire day there - Grandpa and I really enjoyed it, too.)

The 5 "budding artists" painting away

Youngest (Connor) and oldest (Drew) grandsons

"Angelic" Davis and his painting

Home for lunch and naps and then I had dentist appointment.    As we were getting ready to leave for the pool and Connor's birthday party................major rainstorm came thru (1.3" of rain in 1/2 hour)!!!!    But then the skies cleared up and off we went for a very enjoyable time at SF Park.   The boys splashed and played and enjoyed the diving boards (Patrick and the "D's"), slides, waterfalls, Lazy River tubing, etc.   Here are some highlights:

Five little fish who love the water!

We celebrated Connor's 4th birthday (actually tomorrow, but he has soccer, so we partied 1 day early)

Connor and family

Connor and Mr. Marty (our neighbor)

 

Connor with Grandma and Grandpa

 

 Connor with his brother and cousins

Our method of transportation taking the boys around town these days...

Thanks, Patrick!

July 12

BOYS, BOYS, BOYS.....they're everywhere, they're everywhere!!!!!    What a fun day and this Grandma is happy and tired!    Started off with my driving home from the boat early this morning in time for therapy.   Grandpa, Drew, Davis and Brady stayed most of the morning and went for a ride on Catrina and the "D's" enjoyed another go 'round on the hydro bikes.

Brady and i picked up Liam and Connor from their sitter and we all went to SF park and played mini golf and the final results were:  (1) Grandpa; (2) Davis, (3) Drew, (4) Grandma, (5) Connor. (6) Liam and (7) Brady .   Grandpa and Davis both had a hole in one!

Connor, Liam, Brady, Drew and Davis in front of the big giraffe

The "D's" climbing the rocks

Silly boys all wondering where that last ball goes at the end of the game???

We had snacks and drinks and then went to Connor'e soccer practice followed by Liam's T-ball practice.   Also enjoyed some fun at McGraw Park in between the practices.

Liam

And then finally home for root beer floats, baths/showers and shampoos

Three men in a tub!

So, we're having a sleepover tonight and tomorrow, more fun stuff planned - great to see the cousins enjoy one another so much!    Special times for Grandma and Grandpa, too!